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Masturbation among young women and associations with sexual health: an exploratory study

Masturbation among young women and associations with sexual health: an exploratory study
Masturbation among young women and associations with sexual health: an exploratory study
Much research into young people’s developing sexuality is concerned with risk avoidance and the reduction of negative outcomes. Little research has been conducted into sexual selfexploration and, in particular, masturbation among young people, and this has generally been concerned merely with its prevalence. Little is known about the potential role of masturbation in relation to young people’s developing sexuality, especially among young women. This study aimed to explore, using a qualitative approach, how young women reported their experiences of masturbation and whether and how these related to other aspects of their sexual activity. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was employed to identify the range of reported experiences across participants, as well as the relations between various aspects of sexual development and experiences within participants. The findings revealed a broad continuum of views and opinions on female masturbation, which had strong links with parent and partner communication and the young women’s beliefs and values concerning their sexual selves. The article concludes by drawing attention to the apparent relation between positive early childhood communication, young women’s positive views of their sexual self, and their subsequent sexual activity.
sexual health, masturbation, pleasure
0022-4499
558-567
Hogarth, Harriet
9f735845-dfb7-4cee-b8ac-74cd52f071d2
Ingham, Roger
e3f11583-dc06-474f-9b36-4536dc3f7b99
Hogarth, Harriet
9f735845-dfb7-4cee-b8ac-74cd52f071d2
Ingham, Roger
e3f11583-dc06-474f-9b36-4536dc3f7b99

Hogarth, Harriet and Ingham, Roger (2009) Masturbation among young women and associations with sexual health: an exploratory study. Journal of Sex Research, 46 (6), 558-567. (doi:10.1080/00224490902878993).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Much research into young people’s developing sexuality is concerned with risk avoidance and the reduction of negative outcomes. Little research has been conducted into sexual selfexploration and, in particular, masturbation among young people, and this has generally been concerned merely with its prevalence. Little is known about the potential role of masturbation in relation to young people’s developing sexuality, especially among young women. This study aimed to explore, using a qualitative approach, how young women reported their experiences of masturbation and whether and how these related to other aspects of their sexual activity. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was employed to identify the range of reported experiences across participants, as well as the relations between various aspects of sexual development and experiences within participants. The findings revealed a broad continuum of views and opinions on female masturbation, which had strong links with parent and partner communication and the young women’s beliefs and values concerning their sexual selves. The article concludes by drawing attention to the apparent relation between positive early childhood communication, young women’s positive views of their sexual self, and their subsequent sexual activity.

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More information

Published date: 6 April 2009
Keywords: sexual health, masturbation, pleasure

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 69165
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/69165
ISSN: 0022-4499
PURE UUID: 6eaac2d3-9f3e-461e-b23d-65c9d98dd0e1

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Date deposited: 22 Oct 2009
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 19:28

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Contributors

Author: Harriet Hogarth
Author: Roger Ingham

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