Sexual functioning of late adolescents and young adults in relationships: association with individual characteristics and relationship factors

Abstract

The research provides few insights regarding the sexual functioning of late adolescents and young adults who are currently in a committed romantic relationship, a context that likely affects their sexual functioning. We sought to identify individual and relationship factors associated with their sexual functioning. Participants were 409 individuals (172 men, 237 women; 18–24 years) who completed an online survey assessing their sexual functioning, individual characteristics, cognitive-affective appraisals of their romantic relationship, sexual frequency, and sexual communication. Significantly more women (22.8%) than men (4.7%) reported a sexual problem. These rates are lower than typically found in this age group. In addition, substantial numbers of men and women reported less than optimal sexual functioning in one or more sexual response domain that did not reach the level of a sexual problem. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that being male and reporting greater partner caring, relationship satisfaction, sexual frequency, and verbal sexual communication were unique predictors of more positive sexual functioning. One explanation for these findings is that being in a committed relationship may counter poor sexual functioning for young people because global positive feelings about the partner provide a safe context to figure out then communicate their sexual wants and needs.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• young adults
• sexual functioning
• romantic relationship

Additional information

Notes on contributors

E. Sandra Byers

E. Sandra Byers, Ph.D. is a professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and a Licenced Clinical Psychologist. She has published extensively on multiple areas of human sexuality, with a focus on sexual well-being. She has won numerous awards including her election as a Research Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2018.

Lucia F. O’Sullivan

Lucia F. O'Sullivan, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and the Director of the Experimental Psychology Program. She has published extensively on sexuality and intimate relationships, including the impact of new digital technologies on close relationships. Her primary research focus is on the sexual health of adolescents and young adults for which she held a Canada Research Chair from 2006-2016.

Kathleen Hughes

Kathleen Hughes, Ph.D. is an Instructor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. As a teaching-focused scholar, she is committed to wholistic student well-being across domains of development. Her expertise is in social emotional development, personality, and relationships. She is the faculty supervisor of the Social Emotional Assets Lab, focusing on positive psychological growth from early childhood to emerging adulthood.