The nature of peer sexual health communication among college students enrolled in a human sexuality course |
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| Authors: | Andrew Porter Myrthle Henry Jennifer Gallo Beck Graefe |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA;2. CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA |
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| Abstract: | Most young people go to their friends for information on sexuality-related topics, thus it is important to understand the context of these communications so that we may gather insight into sexual values and the underlying emotions and styles of communication. We conducted qualitative weekly surveys regarding discussion of sexual health topics among peers with students enrolled in an undergraduate human sexuality course. A four-stage inductive analysis process was utilized to examine a total number of 824 survey submissions from 102 college students who agreed to participate. Seven relevant common themes emerged: safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, feelings about sex, sexual acts, peer support, and peer communication norms. Some perspectives varied between males and females. Life events create opportunities for peers to discuss sexual health with each other. The connection between life events and peer sexual health communication has numerous implications for both research and education. |
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| Keywords: | Sexual health peer communication emerging adults sexuality sexuality education |
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