Operationalization of Three Dimensions of Sexual Orientation in a National Survey of Late Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated three dimensions of sexual orientation—identity, attraction, and behavior—in a national survey of late adolescents. Prevalence rates and the diversity of dimensions of sexual orientation when combined were studied. A representative sample of 3,432 Swedish high school seniors completed an anonymous school-based self-report survey about sexuality, Internet use, and health. Four measures of sexual orientation were included—one for sexual identity, two for attraction (emotional or sexual attraction, romantic attraction), and one for sexual behavior. Prevalence rates of sexual minority orientation varied between 4.3% for sexual behavior (males 2.9%, females 5.6%) and 29.4% for emotional or sexual attraction (males 17.7%, females 39.5%). Different measures of sexual orientation were significantly associated with one another. Bisexual or homosexual orientation was reported by 1.5% of the participants in all four measures and by 17.6% in at least one measure. Researchers need to carefully choose, depending on the research questions under investigation, which dimensions of sexual orientation and which measures they wish to include in their survey. Recommendations based on findings from the study are given.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs for financial support toward the collection of data and the Crime Compensation and Support Authority of Sweden for their financial support to the project. The authors would also like to acknowledge the members of the UNH Family Violence Seminar for their comments on a draft of the manuscript.

Notes

¹Please use this link to replicate this data: http://www.ssd.scb.se/databaser/makro/Visavar.asp?yp=tansss&xu=C9233001&omradekod=UF&huvudtabell=StudiedeltagandeR&omradetext=Utbildning+och+forskning&tabelltext=Befolkning+16%2D64+%E5r+efter+k%F6n%2C+%E5lder%2C+typ+av+studiedeltagande%2C+utbildningsniv%E5+och+studiemedelsutnyttjande+under+h%F6stterminen%2E+%C5r&preskat=O&prodid=UF0507&deltabell=+&deltabellnamn=Befolkning+16%2D64+%E5r+efter+k%F6n%2C+%E5lder%2C+typ+av+studiedeltagande%2C+utbildningsniv%E5+och+studiemedelsutnyttjande+under+h%F6stterminen%2E+%C5r&innehall=StudiedeltagandeR&starttid=1993&stopptid=2010&Fromwhere=M&lang=1&langdb=1.

^a Note. Likert-type 5-point scale ranging from 1 = No attraction to 5 = Strong attraction.

***p < .001. **p < .01. *p < .05.

Note. Cramer's V, ***p < .001.

Note. Only participants who answered all four measures, n = 3,049.

^a Includes 11 combinations with n ≤ 3 individuals in each and at least one answer related to homo- or bisexuality; ^b Includes 2 combinations with n = 1 individual in each; ^c Includes 12 combinations with n = 1 to 3 individuals in each; ^d Includes 10 combinations with n = 1 in each and at least one answer related to homo- or bisexuality.

***p < .001. **p < .01.