Predictors of Belief in Sexual Myths: An Examination in Terms of Gender, Demographic Characteristics, Religiosity, and Childhood Trauma

Abstract

Objectives

Sexual myths are exaggerated beliefs that have no scientific basis. Buying into these beliefs can lead to any number of sexual dysfunctions and decreased quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to uncover the factors associated with sexual myths and to provide remedial services for anyone struggling with them.

Methods

This study was conducted to determine the variables affecting sexual myths. Gender, demographic variables (family type, region of residence, and talking about sexuality with parents), religiosity, and childhood trauma were included as independent variables in the study. A total of 375 teacher candidates participated in the study. Data was collected using a personal information form, Sexual Myths Scale, Religiosity Scale, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.

Results

Descriptive analyses and linear multiple regression analysis were used in the study, and both adherence to sexual myths and experienced childhood trauma were found to be high in the teacher candidates who did not talk about sexuality with their families.

Conclusions

The results of the analysis showed that gender and religiosity were significant predictors of sexual myths. The findings were discussed in light of the literature.

Keywords:

• childhood trauma
• religiosity
• sexual myths

Ethical approval

The study was in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The datasets created during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.