Abstract
This study examined the association between unwanted early sexual experiences (UESE) and sexual adjustment among 2,608 Belgian students (men = 1,017; women = 1,587) and 1,081 South African students (men = 335; women = 739) and the severity of the experience in its bothersomeness. Of Belgian women, 14.2% (226) reported UESE compared to 31.3% (231) of South African women; and of Belgian men 12.3% (125) indicated that they had an UESE compared to 56.4% (189) of South African men. Against expectations, those without UESE showed significant poorer sexual adjustment. The severity of UESE was also associated with greater bothersomeness by all respondents except for Belgian men at the time of completing the checklist. However, no association was found between severity and bothersomeness at the time of UESE.