Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development

Abstract

This research investigated sexual fluidity in attractions and sexual identity and associations with sexual orientation dimensions and sexual identity development in 199 (124 female, 75 male) US sexual minority young adults, ages 18–26 years. Participants completed an online questionnaire measuring sexual fluidity in attractions and sexual identity, sexual orientation dimensions (sexual identity, attractions, sexual behaviour) and sexual identity development. Sexual fluidity in attractions was reported by 64% of women and 52% of men, with 49% of those women and 36% of those men reporting sexual fluidity in sexual identity based on experiencing changes in attractions, with no significant gender differences. Sexually fluid women used a range of sexual identities, whereas most sexually fluid men identified as completely homosexual/gay. Sexually fluid people were more likely than non-sexually-fluid people to have engaged in past sexual behaviours with both genders. Sexual fluidity in attractions was not related to the timing of sexual identity developmental milestones; however, women reached some milestones at a later age than men. Findings from this research shed light on the complexities of sexual fluidity and sexual identity development in both women and men.

Keywords:

• sexual fluidity
• sexual orientation
• sexual identity development
• sexual minority
• young adults

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge Alison Manley for her help with the online survey; Janet Hyde, Martha Alibali, Jane Collins, Julie D’Acci, Kristin Shutts, Stephanie Budge and Julie Keller for their feedback throughout the process of this project; and S. Bryn Austin and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) working group for their insight and suggestions.

Notes

^1. A subset of these (5 in the female version, 6 in the male version) reported a transgender or ‘other’ identity, but filled out the female or male questionnaire, based on the version they felt most comfortable completing.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by funding from the Kinsey Institute and the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin.

Notes on contributors

Sabra L. Katz-Wise

Dr Sabra L. Katz-Wise is a developmental psychologist currently completing a postdoctoral research fellowship in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Her research investigates sexual and gender identity development, sexual fluidity and health disparities related to sexual orientation and gender identity in adolescents and young adults.