The role of sexual excitation/inhibition and the ability to negotiate the sexual relationships

What is it about?

Having risky sex can have various negative consequences, such as sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancies, among others. This undoubtedly involves several negative effects, both psychologically and physically. The intention to have sex can be influenced by some factors. These include the components of the Dual Control Model, defined by these two systems: propensity for sexual excitation or inhibition. On the other hand, sexual assertiveness, defined as the ability to initiate sexual contacts when we want to, to say no, when we do not want to have relationships, as well as to openly talk with our partner about the use of contraceptive methods, has proven to be a variable of great relevance in predicting sexual behaviors, especially for risky sexual behaviors. The study examined the components of the Dual Control Model, that is, propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition, in addition to genital and subjective arousal, and sexual assertiveness and intention to engage in casual sexual encounters in which sexual risk was implicitly or explicitly present. The study took part in the Laboratorio de Sexualidad Humana LabSex UGR from the University of Granada. Participants were 99 heterosexual young adults (55 men and 45 women). Participants performed an experiment in the laboratory, which involved them watching a sexual clip, which was a triggered for sexual excitation, and then being presented with two erotic excerpts (stories) depicting casual sexual encounters in which there was an existence of implicit and explicit sexual risks, related to the lack of contraceptive methods. In men, the propensity for sexual inhibition was the most determining variable in preventing them from sexual risk-taking. In women, intention to engage in risky sexual behaviors was better determined by their propensity for sexual excitation and sexual assertiveness in negotiating the use of contraceptive methods.

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Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research highlights the relevance of these factors to predict behavioral intention to have risky sex and gender differences.

Perspectives