Open Sexual Attitudes Predict Higher
A study of 475 young adults in Colombia finds that favorable attitudes toward masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex predict higher sexual pleasure
Young adults who hold favorable views toward specific sexual practices report higher levels of sexual well-being. Research published in Psychology & Sexuality found that open attitudes toward masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex predicted greater sexual pleasure, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and self-esteem.
Public health frameworks have historically focused on risk reduction, overlooking emotional and psychological aspects of sexuality. The study, led by psychologists Ana Chamorro Coneo, Dayana Restrepo, and Ailed Marenco, sought to understand how young people navigate cultural messages in environments where sex education is often conservative. They focused on the psychological framework of positive sexuality.
The Four Pillars of Positive Sexuality
The research evaluates positive sexuality through four main pillars. Sexual pleasure refers to the immediate physical and emotional enjoyment of sexual experiences. Sexual satisfaction is a more reflective evaluation of one's sexual life. Sexual self-efficacy describes confidence in communicating desires and making decisions. Sexual self-esteem relates to an individual's perception of their own worth in intimate settings.
The researchers surveyed 475 heterosexual university students in northern Colombia. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 35. Over half were in a romantic relationship, and a similar proportion had their first sexual intercourse before age 16. They completed anonymous online questionnaires assessing demographics, religious affiliation, household income, general psychological well-being, and attitudes toward specific sexual practices.
Attitudes That Predict Well-Being
Statistical analysis revealed that baseline demographics and general well-being accounted for only a modest portion of the variation in positive sexuality. Individual attitudes toward specific sexual practices were much stronger predictors.
Participants with positive views on masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex reported higher levels across the four domains. The researchers noted that accepting attitudes toward masturbation consistently related to better outcomes, supporting the idea that solo sexual exploration acts as a developmental tool. Attitudes toward pornography were not significant predictors.
Other Key Findings and Limitations
Age emerged as a consistent predictor. Older participants generally reported higher levels of pleasure, satisfaction, and confidence than younger peers. The researchers attribute this to accumulated relational experience and emotional maturity.
A gender gap persisted in sexual pleasure. Men reported higher levels of pleasure than women, even after accounting for sexual attitudes. This aligns with established research on the pleasure gap in heterosexual relationships.
General psychological well-being was positively associated with sexual satisfaction, self-efficacy, and self-esteem, but not linked to sexual pleasure. Contrary to expectations, neither religious affiliation nor socioeconomic status predicted any dimension of positive sexuality.
The study relies on a cross-sectional design, so it cannot determine cause and effect. The sample consisted entirely of heterosexual university students with digital access, and nearly three-quarters were women, limiting generalizability. Future research should explore how these attitudes influence relational dynamics like partner communication. The study, Beyond risk: how attitudes towards oral sex, masturbation, and pornography correlate with positive sexuality in emerging adults, was authored by Ana Chamorro Coneo, Dayana Restrepo, and Ailed Marenco.
