Sexuality related attitudes and behaviors of Turkish university students

Smoking behaviors among Middle Eastern college women in the United States

Objective: to examine factors associated with cigarette and hookah smoking among Middle Eastern (ME) Arab college women. Participants: 406 adult women of ME Arabic background, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a US college. Methods: a cross-sectional design, using an anonymous online survey of demographic characteristics, sociocultural factors, and access to health care factors. Data analysis included regression model to identify predictors of smoking behaviors. Results: Smoking rates were 21% and 19% for cigarette and hookah smoking. Cigarette smoking was higher with having liberal attitudes toward sexuality and lower among those having a healthcare provider. Hookah smoking was higher among students who are Muslim, involved in student organizations, have higher acculturation-heritage levels, and have more liberal attitudes toward women. Hookah smoking was lower among students born in the US, attending college part-time, and having higher religiosity levels. Conclusions: The study findings have several implications for interventions to address smoking behaviors among ME Arab college women through community organizations and within college campuses.

An extended emotion-eliciting film clips set (EGEFILM): assessment of emotion ratings for 104 film clips in a Turkish sample

The primary aim of this study was to test emotion-elicitation levels of widely used film clips in a Turkish sample and to expand existing databases by adding several new film clips with the capacity to elicit a wide range of emotions, including a rarely studied emotion category, i.e., calmness. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive review of prior studies and collected a large number of new suggestions from a Turkish sample to select film clips for eight emotion categories: amusement, tenderness, calmness, anger, sadness, disgust, fear, and neutrality. Furthermore, we aimed to assess emotion-eliciting levels of short video clips, mostly taken by amateur video footage. In total, 104 film clips were tested online by rating several affective dimensions. Self-reported emotional experience was assessed in terms of intensity, discreteness, valence, and arousal. It was found that at least one of the existing film clips, most of the new film clips, and the short video clips were successful at eliciting medium to high levels of target emotions. However, we also observed overlaps between certain emotions (e.g., tenderness-sadness, anger-sadness-disgust, or fear-anxiety). The current results are mostly in line with previous databases, suggesting that film clips are efficient at eliciting a wide range of emotions where cultural background might play a role in the elicitation of certain emotions (e.g., amusement, anger, etc.). We hope that this extended emotion-eliciting film clips set (EGEFILM) will provide a rich resource for future emotion research both in Turkey and the international area.

Puritanical moral rules as moral heuristics coping with uncertainties

As the cultural evolution of a puritanical moral norm in Turkey illustrates, puritanical moral norms are not developed by nonrational reasoning concerned with purity and cleanliness. People use puritanical moral rules as moral heuristics for making intendedly rational decisions about whether to cooperate or not when the commitment of the counterparty is uncertain.

Determination of Sexual Attitude, Sexual Self-Consciousness, and Sociocultural Status in Women With and Without Lifelong Vaginismus: A Case-Control Study

Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction occurring in females presented as a contraction of the muscles around the vagina as a reflex, causing the failure of vaginal penetration. Although many psychological, social, and cultural factors that may cause vaginismus have been suggested, its underlying mechanisms are not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the sexual attitude, sexual self-awareness, and sociocultural status of women with and without lifelong vaginismus. This is a case-control study. A total of 148 women were included in the study: 74 women with a lifelong vaginismus diagnosis and 74 women without a history of vaginismus/painful sexual activity controls. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, the Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale, and the Hendrick Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale. Sexual shyness (OR = 0.854), sexual self-focus (OR = 0.888) and birth control (OR = 1.279), communion (OR = 1.198), and instrumentality (OR = 1.330; the sub-dimensions of the Sexual Attitude Scale) were associated with (χ² = 96.130, p < .001) vaginismus at the rate of 63%. Those who did not receive sexual information; those who obtained information about sexuality from the social media; those who had negative thoughts about sexuality due to religious reasons; those who found the genitals and sexuality as disgusting; and those having more feelings of fear and pain are more likely to have vaginismus. Some socio-cultural factors may negatively affect women and cause vaginismus. Women with vaginismus had low sexual self-consciousness and negative attitudes toward sexuality. It may be incomplete to consider vaginismus only as a vaginal entry problem. Therefore, in the treatment of vaginismus, women's sexual attitude, sexual self-awareness, and sociocultural factors should be evaluated in a holistic manner.

Sexual Double Standards: Contributions of Sexual Socialization by Parents, Peers, and the Media

(Hetero)sexual double standards (SDS) entail that different sexual behaviors are appropriate for men and women. There is large variation in whether people endorse SDS in their expectations about the sexual behavior of women and men (i.e., SDS-norms). To explain these individual differences, we examined associations between SDS-norms of Dutch adolescents (aged 16-20 years, N = 566) and what parents, peers, and the media teach adolescents about appropriate sexual behavior of boys and girls (i.e., SDS-socialization). Adolescents completed an online survey at school. Regarding SDS-socialization, more traditional SDS-norms conveyed by the media and peers, but not of parents, and less perceived sexual activity of female peers, were associated with more traditional SDS-norms. Only for boys, exposure to sexy girls/women on social media and sexual music videos of female artists were associated with more traditional SDS-norms. Thus, SDS-socialization by peers and the media and opposite gender models (for boys) are important in light of adolescents' SDS-norms.

Relationship between Perceived Peer and Adolescents' Sexual Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Gender

In Malaysia, sexual health risks such as unprotected sex, teenage pregnancies, abandoned babies, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise because adolescents are increasingly engaging in such sexual behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived peer sexual behaviors and sexual behaviors among adolescents as well as to examine the interacting role of gender in such a relationship. This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of 338 school-going adolescents (M_age = 16.7; SD_age = 1.53) using the purposive sampling method. Participants were required to complete questionnaires consisting of the modified Human Sexuality Questionnaire-Orgasmic Experience Scale and the Peer Norms Scale. Results indicated that adolescents who perceived their peers to be actively engaging in sexual behaviors were more prone to being sexually active themselves. The results also showed gender as a significant moderator in the relationship between adolescents' perceived peers' sexual behaviors and sexual behaviors. Besides, the impact of perceived peer sexual behaviors on sexual behaviors was found to be stronger in male than female adolescents. Overall, the findings from this study hinted at the importance of peers and gender differences during the planning and implementation of sexual and health education.

Thinking as the others do: persistence and conformity of sexual double standard among young Italians

The double standard represents a standard of good behaviour that, unfairly, some people are expected to follow or achieve, but others are not. Once neglected by social scientists, the double standard in sexual attitudes has become more and more studied. In this paper, we inquire about the existence of the double standard in opinions regarding peers’ sexual behaviours and study its determinants. What makes young people judge the sexual behaviour of women in a more conservative way than that of men? The paper uses data collected from Italian university students, who are asked to express their (dis)approval of a series of sexual behaviours, considering peers of either gender participating in those behaviours. The results show that the double standard exists and has been persistent amid Italian undergraduate students over the last 20 years, and that the cultural context matters more than the family in shaping students’ beliefs.

Student Attitudes About Reproductive Health in Public Universities: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Determine attitude of young people to reproductive health issues can somewhat predict their behavior in this area. This helps us in planning future on reproductive health. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of reproductive health and related factors among Iranian students in public universities in Iran.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was carried out. The tool was developed based on a literature review to find out about reproductive health attitudes and sociodemographic factors associated. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was performed using expert judgment. Cronbach's coefficient and test-retest were used to determine the reliability. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software by independent t test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Out of 461 respondents, the majority of students were nonmedical sciences (81.1%). The main sources of information for reproductive health awareness were the media (40%); 54.9% disagreed with having premarital sex in both sexes, while only 36% agreed to postpone sexual activity until marriage in order to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, 64% believed that contraception would cause infertility in the future. The majority found the need for reproductive health services and education essential for single youth. Multiple regression showed a poor reproductive health attitude in nonmedical students, families who did not talk about boy-girl relationships, as well as in satellite users and hookah consumers.

CONCLUSION

The students' level of attitude on reproductive health was not satisfactory. Intervention programs related to reproductive health taking into account the cultural aspects of Iranian society can protect young people from risky behaviors and unwanted pregnancies by creating a positive attitude.

He is a Stud, She is a Slut! A Meta-Analysis on the Continued Existence of Sexual Double Standards

(Hetero)sexual double standards (SDS) entail that different sexual behaviors are appropriate for men and women. This meta-analysis (k = 99; N = 123,343) tested predictions of evolutionary and biosocial theories regarding the existence of SDS in social cognitions. Databases were searched for studies examining attitudes or stereotypes regarding the sexual behaviors of men versus women. Studies assessing differences in evaluations, or expectations, of men’s and women’s sexual behavior yielded evidence for traditional SDS (d = 0.25). For men, frequent sexual activity was more expected, and evaluated more positively, than for women. Studies using Likert-type-scale questionnaires did not yield evidence of SDS (combined M = −0.09). Effects were moderated by level of gender equality in the country in which the study was conducted, SDS-operationalization (attitudes vs. stereotypes), questionnaire type, and sexual behavior type. Results are consistent with a hybrid model incorporating both evolutionary and sociocultural factors contributing to SDS.

Crossing sexual barriers: Predictors of sexual guilt and sexual anxiety among young Canadian and American Muslim adults

The current study tested two exploratory path models predicting sexual guilt and sexual anxiety in young Muslims adults living in Canada and the United States. Using path analysis, I examined the joint influence of background (religiosity, perceived parental sexual attitudes, and gender) and attitudinal (sexual attitudes, gender role attitudes, and sexual double standard) factors on sexual guilt and sexual anxiety. Surveys were completed by 403 Canadian and American young heterosexual Muslim adults (ages 17–35). Most participants (79.4%) were women, approximately one-third of the participants were born outside Canada or the United States, and half identified as students. Most participants identified as either South Asian (43.1%) or Arab (25.1%) and the majority had either an undergraduate (32.3%) or graduate (37.2%) degree. In the final two path models, religiosity both directly and indirectly predicted sexual guilt and anxiety while sexual attitudes, belief in the sexual double standard, and gender role attitudes partially mediated this relationship. Gender role attitudes were strongly related to participants’ support for the sexual double standard, while gender was not a predictor of sexual guilt or anxiety. Perceived parental attitudes had no predictive value, possibly being redundant with religiosity. The path models revealed complex and interesting relationships between the variables which have various implications for young Muslim adults as well as the practitioners who work with them.

Pornography consumption and psychosomatic and depressive symptoms among Swedish adolescents: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The aims of this longitudinal study were to identify predictors for continued pornography consumption and to investigate pornography consumption in relation to psychosomatic and depressive symptoms among a group of adolescents in Sweden.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A longitudinal study in classroom environment in 53 randomly selected senior high school classes in mid-Sweden in years 2011 and 2013. Out of 477 participating boys and 400 girls in 2011, 224 boys (47%) and 238 girls (60%) participated in 2013.

RESULTS

Higher pornography consumption at baseline and being born outside Sweden predicted continued pornography consumption at follow-up (adjusted R2 = 0.689). Psychosomatic symptoms at follow-up were predicted by higher pornography consumption at baseline (adjusted R2 = 0.254), being a girl, living with separated parents, and attending a vocational high school program. By contrast, depressive symptoms at follow-up were predicted by less pornography consumption at baseline (adjusted R2 = 0.122) and being a girl.

CONCLUSIONS

Pornography consumption may, for some individuals, be associated to mental health issues. Differences between teenage boys and girls and between adolescents with diverse ethnic backgrounds imply that counseling and discussion about pornography need to be adjusted and individualized.

Sexuality and the Internet: A Study of the Perspectives of Turkish University Students

The purpose of this study was to determine Turkish university students' uses of and attitudes toward the Internet concerning sexuality. The study was conducted in two public universities in the Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia regions of Turkey. Among the students invited to take part in the study, 1,330 students agreed to do so. The study data were collected using a questionnaire designed by researchers to determine participants' personal characteristics, computer and Internet uses in general, and for sexual matters. The findings suggest that approximately half of the students (51%) reported using the Internet to obtain information about sexuality. Among the students, 30.5% said that they visit erotic and pornographic Web sites, 21.1% said that they chat on the Internet about sexuality, and 9.3% said that they bought sexual products online. Compared to the female students, the male students, statistically, more frequently show behaviors such as obtaining sexual information on the Internet, online sexual shopping, chatting on the Internet about sexuality, and visiting pornographic and erotic Web sites. In addition, female students have more negative attitudes toward using the Internet for sexual purposes. This study discusses its results along with the literature from Turkey and other countries.

Gender, Religiosity, Sexual Activity, Sexual Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Controversial Aspects of Sexuality

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of gender, religiosity, sexual activity, and sexual knowledge in predicting attitudes toward controversial aspects of sexuality among Turkish university students. Participants were 162 female and 135 male undergraduate students who were recruited on a volunteer basis from an urban state university in Turkey. The SKAT-A Attitude Scale along with background information form, sexual activities inventory, and sexual knowledge scale were administered to the participants. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses revealed that religiosity, particularly attendance to religious services was the most significant predictor in explaining university students' attitudes toward masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, pornography, and sexual coercion.

ATTITUDES TOWARDS AND PRACTICE OF SEXUALITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN LEBANON

Sexuality is still a taboo in Middle Eastern countries, and Lebanon is no exception. This study’s objective was to evaluate attitudes towards sexuality and its practice among university students in Lebanon and assess their respective correlates. The cross-sectional study was carried out among students selected from seventeen universities across Lebanon. The participants received a self-administered standardized questionnaire that assessed their attitudes towards sexuality. It included questions on socio-demographic factors, risk-taking, risky behaviours and sexuality-related questions. Among 3384 students, 2700 (79.8%) answered the questions on sexuality. Around 15% had engaged in sexual activity, while 20% were regularly sexually active. Among males, 34.8% had never had sexual activity, 29.9% had tried it and 35.3% were regularly sexually active. Among females the results were respectively 85.1%, 5.3% and 9.6% (p<0.001). Only 36% regularly used condoms during their relationships. A liberal attitude towards sex, male sex, motives for risky behaviours, current cigarette smoking and problematic alcohol consumption were associated with sexual activity. Realizing that risky behaviours are dangerous, health concerns related to sexual relationships and a liberal attitude towards sex were associated with regular condom use. However, being bothered by condoms and female sex were inversely associated with condom use. Finally, participants who had motives for, and those who felt excited about risky behaviours, and those reporting current cigarette and waterpipe smoking and problematic alcohol consumption (β=0.600; p=0.002) embraced a more liberal attitude towards sex. Conversely, females (β=−7.58; p<0.001) and individuals who considered risky behaviours as dangerous reported an unfavourable attitude towards sexuality. A substantial proportion of Lebanese university students have regular sexual activity, but a low percentage use condoms for protection. Interventions are required among males in particular in view of these attitude and behavioural changes towards sexuality.

Iranian university students' perceived reproductive health needs

AIM

One proposed strategy to improve youth health is needs assessment, a process for determining and addressing the needs of individual groups. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of Iranian university students toward reproductive health needs, in order to promote the provision of reproductive health services.

METHODS

Using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 548 students who were randomly selected from eight universities in Sari City, Iran. Topics covered the participants' attitudes towards reproductive health needs as well as their opinion about proper sources of information in this area, as measured using a 5-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 21.57 years, and 57.82% were female. The maximum score of perceived reproductive health needs was related to "Be informed about appropriate behavior with my spouse", and the majority of students (82.82%) supported family-based reproductive health education with emphasis on the mothers' role. Although 65.14% of the participants agreed that "When a young has been raped, it's better that she/he counsel with her/his family", 11.67% of them stated that she/he must hide the problem. Finally, we found that 60.40% of the students preferred someone in a health care center as the one to explain how to use any contraception that may be provided for them.

CONCLUSION

Taken as a whole, these findings support the critical importance of programming for university students as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the health and development of young adults.

Sexual dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia in Turkey: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction is one of several factors related to medication compliance in patients taking antipsychotic medication but the magnitude of this problem is unknown.

AIM

Compare the self-reported sexual functioning of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic medication to that of healthy controls using the Turkish version of the 5-item Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). This scale, which has previously been validated in Turkey, assesses 5 components of sexual function: sex drive, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to achieve orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm.

METHODS

The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, and ASEX were administered to 101 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia (38 females and 63 males). The ASEX was also administered to 89 control subjects (41 females and 48 males) without a history of mental illness. Respondents were classified as having sexual dysfunction if ASEX total score (range 5-30) >18, if any ASEX item score (range 1-6) ≥ 5, or if 3 or more ASEX items ≥4.

RESULTS

Male patients with schizophrenia have significantly more self-reported sexual dysfunction than healthy controls (46% vs. 8%). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is higher in female patients than in male patients (68% vs. 46%), but it was also very high in healthy female controls (68%), so the sexual dysfunction of female patients cannot be attributed to their illness or to the medications they are taking. Within the patient group, there was no significant relationship between the severity of positive or negative symptoms and the severity of sexual dysfunction, and the severity of sexual function was not different between patients taking first-generation or second-generation antipsychotic medications.

CONCLUSIONS

The very different findings by gender in Turkey highlights the importance of assessing location-specific and gender-specific sexual norms when trying to assess the role of mental illness and medications on sexual functioning. Prospective studies are needed to distinguish the relative importance of cultural norms, the schizophrenic illness, and the use of antipsychotic medication in the etiology and course of sexual dysfunction among individuals with schizophrenia.

Youth Sexual Health: Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Among Students at a University in Turkey

INTRODUCTION

To determine sexual attitudes, behavior, and knowledge of Namik Kemal University (NKU) students about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

METHOD

A sample representing 10% of the undergraduate population of NKU in 2009-2010, was studied. Of 1,500 questionnaires distributed, 1,314 (87.6%) were filled out.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents (52.9% male) was 20.07±1.75 years. The rate of students who had received sexual health education was 32.0%, and 15.3% had previously used a sexual health service. Eleven percent of the female students and 50.3% of the male students had had sexual intercourse. The average age of initial sexual intercourse was 16.83±2.07 years. Of the students who had had sexual intercourse, 46.6% reported that they did not use any contraception method. The most preferred method was condoms (37.6%). The rate of contraceptive use was 58.7% in sexually educated students and 43.9% in those not educated (p=.004). The most well-known STI was AIDS (96.5%), with sexually educated students giving higher rates of correct answers about STIs (p<.05).

CONCLUSION

The students who had received sexual health education were more knowledgeable about vital consequences of STI's, even though it is not sufficient, than sexually active students. Awareness of safe sexual practices and changes in behavior, in particular, promoting condom use should be established in higher risk youths. Deficiencies in knowledge could be addressed by adding a sexual healthtraining component to the university curriculum, and unmet requirements could be met by reorganizing medico-social centers in universities.

Attitudes of Lebanese university students towards surgical hymen reconstruction

Many cultural and religious beliefs place virginity at a high level of social significance, in that women who lose their virginity before marriage may face humiliation, ostracism, divorce, and extreme violence. This led to an increase in the demand for virginity restoration through surgical hymen reconstruction among these cultures. However, data regarding the acceptance of hymenoplasty in societies that consider sexuality a taboo are scarce. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the effects of gender and religion on sexual attitudes towards hymenoplasty, premarital sex, and virginity in a sample of 600 Lebanese university students. Our findings showed that approval of hymenoplasty was low among participants regardless of gender (25.7 % men vs. 19.1 % women) and religious affiliations (22.5 % Muslims vs. 22.3 % Christians). Arguments for rejection were rooted in moral ethics and personal convictions: "form of deceiving and cheating" (80.7 %) and "betrayal of honesty in the relationship" (80.4 %). Reasons for acceptance included: personal belief in "women's rights, autonomy, and freedom" (72.2 %) and "physical harm and death" (63.5 %).Male participants were more likely to approve premarital coital sex than females (61.0 vs. 27.3 %). Muslims were also more likely to reject marrying a non-virgin than Christians (39.9 vs. 18.0 %). Female participants expressed more tolerance towards marrying a non-virgin male partner (78.3 vs. 57.3 %). Low acceptance of hymenoplasty among Lebanese university students was found to be related to moral ethics and personal convictions independently from gender and religious affiliation. Differences in sexual attitudes towards premarital coital sex and virginity, however, were more significantly influenced by culture and religion.

Using the Internet and social media to promote condom use in Turkey

Condoms are an important contraceptive method in Turkey, used by one in three couples using modern methods. However, withdrawal remains the most common form of contraception, resulting in many unwanted pregnancies. To address this issue and increase condom use in Turkey, DKT International, a social marketing enterprise, leveraged the high use of the Internet and social networking to help build Fiesta, a premium condom brand, and promote sales and condom use. By utilising a wide range of digital platforms--a new website, Facebook page, Google Adwords, an e-newsletter, viral marketing, banner ads and involving bloggers--Fiesta achieved strong recognition among the target audience of sexually active young people, though far more men than women. Retail audits, Internet analysis and sales performance suggest that using the Internet was instrumental in establishing Fiesta. Sales reached 4.3 million condoms (of which 8% were sold online) in the first 18 months. In contrast, Kiss, a far more inexpensive DKT condom, launched at the same time but with no digital campaign, sold 2.6 million. With the growing availability and use of the Internet and social media globally, family planning organizations should consider incorporating these technologies into their educational, outreach and marketing programmes.

Frequent users of pornography. A population based epidemiological study of Swedish male adolescents

Frequent use of pornography has not been sufficiently studied before. In a Swedish survey 2015 male students aged 18 years participated. A group of frequent users of pornography (N = 200, 10.5%) were studied with respect to background and psychosocial correlates. The frequent users had a more positive attitude to pornography, were more often "turned on" viewing pornography and viewed more often advanced forms of pornography. Frequent use was also associated with many problem behaviours. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that frequent users of pornography were more likely to be living in a large city, consuming alcohol more often, having greater sexual desire and had more often sold sex than other boys of the same age. High frequent viewing of pornography may be seen as a problematic behaviour that needs more attention from both parents and teachers and also to be addressed in clinical interviews.