Experiences of Discrimination and Sexual Behaviors: An Examination of Motives as Potential Psychological Mediators. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hagiwara, Nao; Grollman, Eric A.; Green, Tiffany L.
• Is Part Of: International journal of sexual health. Volume 31:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Discrimination -- sexual behaviors -- sexual health disparities -- psychological mechanisms -- sexual motives; Sex (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Gender identity -- Periodicals; Sexual Behavior -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 155.3
• DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2019.1583299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1931-7611

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : We investigated three psychological mechanisms that may underlie the associations between discrimination and sexual activity: emotion regulation, autonomy restoration, and intimacy building. Methods : An online survey was administered to a diverse sample of 565 undergraduate students at a large public university. Results : Having sex to mitigate negative emotions mediated the associations between self-reported discrimination and lifetime number of sexual partners, and between discrimination and the frequency of sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Conclusions : Sexual activity may serve as a coping strategy in response to the experiences of negative emotions and human core needs thwarted by the experiences of discrimination.