INFAD (Apr 2018)

Motivation to have sex in higher education students

  • Paula Nelas,
  • Emília Coutinho,
  • Cláudia Chaves,
  • Odete Amaral,
  • Carla Cruz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2018.n1.v2.1162
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 45 – 54

Abstract

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Background:The onset of sexual activity is a time that has an impact on young people’s lives. It is important to know the motivations for the decision to have sex. Objectives: To determine if sexual satisfaction (relationship and trust) influence the motivation to have sex. Methodology: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study with a sample of 323 higher education students, with a mean age of 20.68 years (sd = ± 2.54 years). The data collection instrument was a questionnaire that enabled the construction of the sexual characterization. The satisfaction with the sexual relationship scale (Ribeiro Raimundo, 2005) and Motivation to have or not to have sex (Leal Maroco, 2010) was also included. The ethical procedures were guaranteed. The data was processed with the SPSS program (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 24 for Windows. Results: In the sample 62.5% of the participants have date. Of these 53.2% have been dating for more than two years. The boyfriend/girlfriend (30.7%) and the mother (21.4%) are the preferred interlocutors on sexuality. In the sample, 83.6% already started the sex life. The female (63.2%) values intimacies close to intercourse. 54.2% of females prefer not to have sexual intercourse with more than one person. In the current relationship 69.2% have sex and 81.7% have contraception. Participants reveal positive sexual satisfaction in both relationship and trust. Dating and sexual experience influence sexual satisfaction. Male present hedonism, health, and relational interdependence as reasons for having sex. Participants without sexual experience refer fear and conservatism not to have sex. Sexual satisfaction is predictive of having sex in the dimensions of hedonism and health, and relational interdependence. Conclusion: We propose the creation of offices in the universities to clarify doubts and to train sexuality-related skills that provide sexual decisions and promote sexual and reproductive health.

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