The aim of the present research was to investigate the association between how individuals in romantic relationships conceptualize themselves sexually, and levels of reported sexual satisfaction for both themselves and their partner. Of additional interest was how an individual’s sexual self-schemas are associated with their perception of their partner’s sexual satisfaction. Reasoning that sexual self-schemas will have an influence on how individuals interpret and act in sexual situations, we propose that individuals’ sexual self-schemas will play a role in sexual satisfaction within relationships. We additionally examined whether sexual self-schemas influenced an individual’s perceptions of their partner after controlling for that partner’s reported levels of satisfaction. For both men and women, individual’s own sexual self-schemas were associated with own sexual satisfaction, but not partner’s sexual satisfaction. Additionally, individual’s own sexual self-schemas were associated with perceptions of partner’s sexual satisfaction, even after controlling for that partner’s self-reported sexual satisfaction.

ABSTRACT Although sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and other sexually transmitted diseases (UNAIDS and WHO 2008; Fatusi and Wang 2009), very few studies in the region and for that matter Ghana have systematically and exclusively examined adolescent risky sexual behaviour in a manner that is theoretically consistent with the unique socio-cultural norms that govern sexuality in the society. Given that involvement in risky sexual behaviour constitutes sexual deviance in the Ghanaian context, and from the ontological position that behaviour is a product of structure and human agency (Sewell 1992), this study extends the theories of social control (Hirschi 1969), power control (Hagan et al. 1979, 1985,1987, 2002; McCarthy et al. 1999) and rational choice (Cornish and Clarke 1986) in examining the predictors of risky sexual behavior among Ghanaian adolescents. Using the 2004 Ghana National Adolescent Survey data (N=3985), the study employs descriptive statistics, measures of association and complementary log-log regression models in predicting the likelihood of being sexually active before marriage, having more than one lifetime sexual partner and condom use. Overall findings provide mixed support for the theoretical expectations. From the perspective of Hirschi’s control theory, the findings suggest among others that while some measures of conventional behaviour do not discourage premarital sex, they do so with respect to multiple sexual partnerships. A puzzle that needs further elaboration is the finding that highly educated adolescents who hold leadership positions have a higher significant taste for premarital sex and multiple sexual relations than their uneducated counterparts who are not leaders. Overall findings regarding the predictions of power control theory are consistent with the revised version offered by McCarthy and Colleagues (1999) and Hagan and colleagues (2002); that daughters in less patriarchal or matriarchal households are more likely than sons to have premarital sex and be in multiple sexual partnerships. Findings regarding the predictions of rational theory suggest a mixed rationality; condom use among adolescents in many instances is inconsistent with rational choice behaviour. General and specific policy implications of the findings and direction for future research are also discussed. / Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-31 02:18:09.013

This study examined the interrelations among sexual victimization, attachment style, interpersonal relationship satisfaction, and substance use. Sexual victimization (i.e., child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault; CSA and ASA) is a major social concern for which further research is needed. While it is difficult to determine which difficulties are direct outcomes of sexual victimization, both CSA and ASA have been found to be associated with a variety of mental health problems, along with numerous other adverse outcomes across the lifespan (e.g., depression, risk of suicide, attachment insecurity, interpersonal relationship problems, substance abuse). By further exploring these relations and identifying potential mediating variables, specific therapy techniques may be tailored in order to address these variables in treatment. Factors such as attachment and interpersonal relationships are particularly important to consider when examining sexual victimization, due to the intimate nature of this type of victimization. It was expected that sexual victimization in women (controlling for other forms of childhood maltreatment) would predict insecure adult attachment, greater levels of harmful substance use (i.e., drug and alcohol abuse), and lower reported relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that women who experienced more severe CSA and anxious attachment engaged in greater levels of drug abuse (i.e., anxious attachment moderated the relation between CSA and drug abuse). In addition, women who experienced more severe ASA and child psychological abuse reported greater attachment insecurity (both attachment avoidance and anxiety) in their relationships and engaged in greater levels of substance abuse (i.e., both drug and alcohol abuse). Furthermore, women with greater levels of anxious attachment reported lower levels of relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that clinicians working with women survivors of sexual victimization should be aware of potential attachment-related difficulties, as well as an increased risk of developing substance use problems that may be stemming from victimization experiences. / Graduate / 0621

This study examined the interrelations among sexual victimization, attachment style, interpersonal relationship satisfaction, and substance use. Sexual victimization (i.e., child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault; CSA and ASA) is a major social concern for which further research is needed. While it is difficult to determine which difficulties are direct outcomes of sexual victimization, both CSA and ASA have been found to be associated with a variety of mental health problems, along with numerous other adverse outcomes across the lifespan (e.g., depression, risk of suicide, attachment insecurity, interpersonal relationship problems, substance abuse). By further exploring these relations and identifying potential mediating variables, specific therapy techniques may be tailored in order to address these variables in treatment. Factors such as attachment and interpersonal relationships are particularly important to consider when examining sexual victimization, due to the intimate nature of this type of victimization. It was expected that sexual victimization in women (controlling for other forms of childhood maltreatment) would predict insecure adult attachment, greater levels of harmful substance use (i.e., drug and alcohol abuse), and lower reported relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that women who experienced more severe CSA and anxious attachment engaged in greater levels of drug abuse (i.e., anxious attachment moderated the relation between CSA and drug abuse). In addition, women who experienced more severe ASA and child psychological abuse reported greater attachment insecurity (both attachment avoidance and anxiety) in their relationships and engaged in greater levels of substance abuse (i.e., both drug and alcohol abuse). Furthermore, women with greater levels of anxious attachment reported lower levels of relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that clinicians working with women survivors of sexual victimization should be aware of potential attachment-related difficulties, as well as an increased risk of developing substance use problems that may be stemming from victimization experiences. / Graduate / 0621

This study is the first to collect detailed empirical data on sexual practice among backpackers while exploring the material and social context of backpacking using an ethnographic framework. The theoretical concepts of liminality and sexual scripts were drawn on to analyse the findings. Backpackers were recruited from hostels in Sydney and Cairns; 559 backpackers (243 women, 316 men) completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. In addition, 25 in-depth one-to-one interviews with backpackers and 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted with sexual health and travel clinic staff and hostel service providers. Participant and non-participant observation in backpacker hostels also informed the analysis. Drinking alcohol, often to excess, was central to the backpacking setting and was both a reason for and a post-facto justification of unprotected sex. The backpacking setting encouraged transient liaisons. More than half (55%) of backpackers had sex with someone new during their trip and for 71% of them it was with someone that they had just met that day. Twenty-five per cent of those with no expectations to have casual sex on their trip and 22% of those with no previous experience of casual sex had casual sex during their trip. More than half (53%) of those who had sex with a someone new did so while other people were in the room. Only 55% always used a condom with their last new partner. While most backpackers carried condoms and intended to use them, unprotected sex was common. Perception of risk was low: 78% of those who did not use a condom the last time they had casual sex on the trip perceived their risk of getting HIV to be ??low?? to ??nil??. Three participants acquired HIV during their trip. The culture of backpacking encourages more sexually permissive attitudes but does not encourage condom use, especially for those who did not consistently use condoms at home. These findings highlight the need for more broad-based dissemination of information on STIs to young people, and for future sexual health campaigns to specifically target backpackers in the context in which they travel.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Title from file title page. Mattew S Grober, committee chair; Kim Wallen, Charles Derby, Laura Carruth, Tim Bartness, committee members. Electronic text (107 p. : ill. (some col.)) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Jan. 31, 2008. Includes bibliographical references. (p. 94-107)

Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 25-26).

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 83-87).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 83-87) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Leicester in association with University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-71). Also available in print.