4,279
Views
34
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Gone But Not Forgotten: Virginity Loss and Current Sexual Satisfaction

&
Pages 96-111 | Published online: 19 Dec 2012
 

Abstract

Although loss of virginity remains a salient experience throughout a person's lifetime, little is known about whether this experience has implications for later sexual functioning (e.g., sexual satisfaction). Previous research tends to ask participants about their first time and their current sexual functioning concurrently, which may lead to spillover effects. The authors investigated the relation between first-time sexual intercourse and current sexual satisfaction using an event-sampling methodology. Participants were 331 undergraduate students who answered questions about their first-time sexual encounter and their current sexual functioning (e.g., sexual satisfaction, sexual depression). Participants then described and rated each of their sexual interactions for 2 weeks. Results show that participants who had more positive first-time sexual experiences (e.g., intimacy, respect) report greater feelings of sexual satisfaction and esteem and less sexual depression. A series of multilevel random coefficient modeling analyses revealed that positive first-time experiences were predictive of physical and emotional satisfaction in their current sexual interactions, even when controlling for global sexual satisfaction. These results suggest that one's first-time sexual experience is more than just a milestone in development. Rather, it appears to have implications for their sexual well-being years later.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 53.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 193.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.