CJHS Abstracts: Vol 19(3) 2010

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (CJHS)

Volume 19, Number 3, 2010
Self-concept clarity and women’s sexual well-being Alice Hucker¹, Alexander J. Mussap¹, and Marita M. McCabe¹ ¹ School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-concept clarity, a core structural aspect of self-concept, in women’s sexual well-being. A convenience sample of 261 women aged 18 years and over (M=25.8, SD=7.9) completed an online survey that measured self-concept clarity, three aspects of sexual well-being (sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem and sexual satisfaction), and four structural dimensions of sexual identity (commitment, synthesis/integration, exploration, and orientation identity uncertainty). A series of multiple mediation analyses, followed by post-hoc bootstrap tests of the difference between mediation effects, revealed that self-concept clarity is indirectly related to the measures of sexual well-being, and that these relationships are mediated by the two “investment-related” dimensions of sexual identity: commitment and synthesis/integration. These results suggest that women with a more broadly and coherently integrated sexual identity are also better able to make healthy and positive choices in the sexual domain and experience more satisfaction with their sex lives. More generally, the results highlight the potential importance of including structural aspects of self-concept in explanations of women’s sexual well-being (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19, 67-78). Same-sex marriage in Canada: The impact of legal marriage on the first cohort of gay and lesbian Canadians to wed Heather MacIntosh¹, Elke D. Reissing¹, and Heather Andruff¹ ¹ Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON A ruling of the Court of Appeal for Ontario on June 10, 2003, declared the federal definition of marriage unconstitutional and thus opened the door for gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in Ontario. Other provinces followed suit until the federal Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005, made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Research on the relationships of gay and lesbian couples that had previously been limited to cohabiting, unmarried couples could now examine the impact of legalized marriage on same-sex couples. The present study addressed this topic in a quantitative assessment of relationship satisfaction and attachment in 26 married lesbian or gay couples and also in a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 15 of these couples to determine the impact of legalized marriage on their relationships and to explore their views about the support they received from society and their communities. All couples interviewed indicated that being able to marry had affected them in various ways relationally, political and socially. The quantitative analysis showed that the 26 couples had significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction and significantly less attachment-related anxiety and avoidance compared to normative data for married heterosexual couples. Despite some challenges and struggles, the participants indicated that marriage had an overwhelmingly positive effect on their lives (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 79-90). Relational influences on condom use discontinuation: A qualitative study of young adult women in dating relationships Melissa Bolton¹, Alexander McKay², and Margaret Schneider¹ ¹ Graduate Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON ² The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, Toronto, ON A large proportion of young people move from one sexually active dating relationship to another over the course of their teen and young adult years. A common behavioural pattern is for dating couples to use condoms the first time they have sex but to discontinue condom use as the relationship progresses and contraceptive pill use increases. A repeated pattern of condom use discontinuation in a series of dating relationships over time places individuals at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). This study used qualitative methods to examine and illuminate the psycho-social dynamics of condom use discontinuation within dating relationships. Thirteen young women aged 18-24 currently in dating relationships were surveyed and interviewed concerning factors influencing condom use decision-making. All of the participants used condoms the first time they had intercourse in the current relationship but over half did not use condoms at most recent intercourse. A number of themes and factors were evident in influencing patterns of condom use including general but unconfirmed assumptions about the monogamous status of the relationship and the partner’s sexual history. For many of these young women condom use discontinuation was associated with an enhanced sense of trust, intimacy, and pleasure with the partner and signified a transition to a more formal relationship status. Less than half of the participants had received STI testing but those who had were confident that negative results indicated that they were at low risk for infection. The results suggest specific issues that need to be addressed in sexual health education for teens and young adults (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 91-104). Age of sexual consent law in Canada: Population-based evidence for law and policy Bonnie B. Miller¹,², David N. Cox¹, and Elizabeth M. Saewyc²,³ ¹ Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC ² School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC ³ McCreary Centre Society, Vancouver, BC This study evaluated the implications of the 2008 increase in age for sexual consent in Canada using a population health survey of Canadian adolescents. Government rationales for the increase asserted younger adolescents were more likely to experience sexual exploitation and engage in risky sexual behaviour than adolescents 16 and older. Using data from sexually experienced adolescents in the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS, N=6,262; age range 12 – 19; 52% female), analyses documented the scope of first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, then compared sexual behaviours of younger teens (14 and 15 years) with older teens (16 and 17) navigating their first year of sexual activity. Comparisons included: forced sex, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, multiple partners, condom use, effective contraception use, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy involvement. Results showed very few 14- and 15-year-olds had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions based on age (boys: <2%, girls: 3-5%). In contrast, among 12- and 13-year-olds (a group unaffected by the law’s change) between 25% and 50% had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, and almost 40% of teens who first had sex before age 12 reported a first partner age 20 years or more. In their first year of intercourse, 14- and 15-year-olds were slightly more likely to report forced sex and 3 or more partners than older teens, but otherwise made similarly healthy decisions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of evaluating policy using population health data and shows that better strategies are needed to protect children 13 and under from sexual abuse (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 105-119). Smooth talking: The phenomenon of pubic hair removal in women Lenore Riddell¹, Hannah Varto², and Zoë G. Hodgson³ ¹ Nurse Practitioner/Senior Practice Leader, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC ² Clinical Practice Leader & Family Nurse Practitioner, Child & Youth Program, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC ³ Women’s Health Research Institute, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, BC This exploratory, descriptive study investigated the motivations and practices behind the phenomenon of pubic hair removal among women. A final sample of 660 women aged 16 – 50 years who had ever removed their pubic hair completed surveys asking about their reasons for, methods of, and side effects associated with this practice. Based on their usual practices for areas of hair removal, bikini line was reported by about 50% of participants and whole pubic area by about 30%. Shaving, salon waxing, and trimming with scissors were the most common usual methods although many more reported having ever tried more than one of these or other methods. Appearance in a bathing suit was the most common reason given for pubic hair removal followed by feeling attractive and by the notion that pubic hair removal is cleaner. Side effects ever experienced were common and included razor bump and ingrown hairs but also rash, pimples, and cuts among other less common types of pubic skin traumatization. Further research is proposed to better understand the social constructs of pubic hair removal and to develop best practice guidelines for health professionals in relation to this phenomenon (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality: 19; 121-130).

Volume 19, Number 3, 2010

Self-concept clarity and women’s sexual well-being

Alice Hucker¹, Alexander J. Mussap¹, and Marita M. McCabe¹

¹ School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-concept clarity, a core structural aspect of self-concept, in women’s sexual well-being. A convenience sample of 261 women aged 18 years and over (M=25.8, SD=7.9) completed an online survey that measured self-concept clarity, three aspects of sexual well-being (sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem and sexual satisfaction), and four structural dimensions of sexual identity (commitment, synthesis/integration, exploration, and orientation identity uncertainty). A series of multiple mediation analyses, followed by post-hoc bootstrap tests of the difference between mediation effects, revealed that self-concept clarity is indirectly related to the measures of sexual well-being, and that these relationships are mediated by the two “investment-related” dimensions of sexual identity: commitment and synthesis/integration. These results suggest that women with a more broadly and coherently integrated sexual identity are also better able to make healthy and positive choices in the sexual domain and experience more satisfaction with their sex lives. More generally, the results highlight the potential importance of including structural aspects of self-concept in explanations of women’s sexual well-being (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19, 67-78).

Same-sex marriage in Canada: The impact of legal marriage on the first cohort of gay and lesbian Canadians to wed

Heather MacIntosh¹, Elke D. Reissing¹, and Heather Andruff¹

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa ON

A ruling of the Court of Appeal for Ontario on June 10, 2003, declared the federal definition of marriage unconstitutional and thus opened the door for gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in Ontario. Other provinces followed suit until the federal Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005, made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Research on the relationships of gay and lesbian couples that had previously been limited to cohabiting, unmarried couples could now examine the impact of legalized marriage on same-sex couples. The present study addressed this topic in a quantitative assessment of relationship satisfaction and attachment in 26 married lesbian or gay couples and also in a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 15 of these couples to determine the impact of legalized marriage on their relationships and to explore their views about the support they received from society and their communities. All couples interviewed indicated that being able to marry had affected them in various ways relationally, political and socially. The quantitative analysis showed that the 26 couples had significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction and significantly less attachment-related anxiety and avoidance compared to normative data for married heterosexual couples. Despite some challenges and struggles, the participants indicated that marriage had an overwhelmingly positive effect on their lives (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 79-90).

Relational influences on condom use discontinuation: A qualitative study of young adult women in dating relationships

Melissa Bolton¹, Alexander McKay², and Margaret Schneider¹

¹ Graduate Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
² The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, Toronto, ON

A large proportion of young people move from one sexually active dating relationship to another over the course of their teen and young adult years. A common behavioural pattern is for dating couples to use condoms the first time they have sex but to discontinue condom use as the relationship progresses and contraceptive pill use increases. A repeated pattern of condom use discontinuation in a series of dating relationships over time places individuals at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). This study used qualitative methods to examine and illuminate the psycho-social dynamics of condom use discontinuation within dating relationships. Thirteen young women aged 18-24 currently in dating relationships were surveyed and interviewed concerning factors influencing condom use decision-making. All of the participants used condoms the first time they had intercourse in the current relationship but over half did not use condoms at most recent intercourse. A number of themes and factors were evident in influencing patterns of condom use including general but unconfirmed assumptions about the monogamous status of the relationship and the partner’s sexual history. For many of these young women condom use discontinuation was associated with an enhanced sense of trust, intimacy, and pleasure with the partner and signified a transition to a more formal relationship status. Less than half of the participants had received STI testing but those who had were confident that negative results indicated that they were at low risk for infection. The results suggest specific issues that need to be addressed in sexual health education for teens and young adults (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 91-104).

Age of sexual consent law in Canada: Population-based evidence for law and policy

Bonnie B. Miller¹,², David N. Cox¹, and Elizabeth M. Saewyc²,³

¹ Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
² School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
³ McCreary Centre Society, Vancouver, BC

This study evaluated the implications of the 2008 increase in age for sexual consent in Canada using a population health survey of Canadian adolescents. Government rationales for the increase asserted younger adolescents were more likely to experience sexual exploitation and engage in risky sexual behaviour than adolescents 16 and older. Using data from sexually experienced adolescents in the 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS, N=6,262; age range 12 – 19; 52% female), analyses documented the scope of first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, then compared sexual behaviours of younger teens (14 and 15 years) with older teens (16 and 17) navigating their first year of sexual activity. Comparisons included: forced sex, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, multiple partners, condom use, effective contraception use, self-reported sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy involvement. Results showed very few 14- and 15-year-olds had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions based on age (boys: <2%, girls: 3-5%). In contrast, among 12- and 13-year-olds (a group unaffected by the law’s change) between 25% and 50% had first intercourse partners who were not within the ‘close in age’ exemptions, and almost 40% of teens who first had sex before age 12 reported a first partner age 20 years or more. In their first year of intercourse, 14- and 15-year-olds were slightly more likely to report forced sex and 3 or more partners than older teens, but otherwise made similarly healthy decisions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of evaluating policy using population health data and shows that better strategies are needed to protect children 13 and under from sexual abuse (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2010: 19; 105-119).

Smooth talking: The phenomenon of pubic hair removal in women

Lenore Riddell¹, Hannah Varto², and Zoë G. Hodgson³

¹ Nurse Practitioner/Senior Practice Leader, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC
² Clinical Practice Leader & Family Nurse Practitioner, Child & Youth Program, Vancouver Coastal
Health, Vancouver, BC
³ Women’s Health Research Institute, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, BC

This exploratory, descriptive study investigated the motivations and practices behind the
phenomenon of pubic hair removal among women. A final sample of 660 women aged 16 – 50 years who had ever removed their pubic hair completed surveys asking about their reasons for, methods of, and side effects associated with this practice. Based on their usual practices for areas of hair removal, bikini line was reported by about 50% of participants and whole pubic area by about 30%. Shaving, salon waxing, and trimming with scissors were the most common usual methods although many more reported having ever tried more than one of these or other methods. Appearance in a bathing suit was the most common reason given for pubic hair removal followed by feeling attractive and by the notion that pubic hair removal is cleaner. Side effects ever experienced were common and included razor bump and ingrown hairs but also rash, pimples, and cuts among other less common types of pubic skin traumatization. Further research is proposed to better understand the social constructs of pubic hair removal and to develop best practice guidelines for health professionals in relation to this phenomenon (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality: 19; 121-130).

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