ERIC Number: EJ1211485
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1554-6128
EISSN: N/A
"I Hope to Remain the Same": Continuity and Change in College Students' Sexual Possible Selves across the First Semester
Anders, Kristin M.; Olmstead, Spencer B.
American Journal of Sexuality Education, v14 n1 p1-31 2019
This study replicates and extends research on college students' sexual possible selves by longitudinally examining their sexual expectations, fears, and behavioral strategies at the beginning and end of the first semester in college. Open-ended responses were collected at two time points (T1, N = 78; T2, N = 40) and were analyzed using directed content analysis. First semester students' salient expectations and fears focused on "abstinence," "interpersonal relationships," "quantity," "conditional sex," "decreasing/avoidant behaviors," and fears related to "sexual health/well-being," "sexual assault/coercion," "self-focus," and "increased sexual risk" at both T1 and T2. However, two new themes emerged at T2: maintain (expected) and partner-focus (feared). At both time points, behavioral strategies included "abstinence," "making opportunities," "restricting boundaries," "sexual health/well-being," "thoughtful/informed decisions," and "self-assertion/protection." Quantitative frequency comparisons were also conducted to examine changes in the prevalence of the reported categories and indicated shifts in salient expectations, fears, and strategies across the first semester. Implications for sexual education are discussed.
Descriptors: College Students, Sexuality, Expectation, Fear, Student Behavior, Risk, Intimacy, Well Being, Health Behavior, Decision Making, Self Management, Student Characteristics, Student Attitudes
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A