Asexual or not sure: Findings from a probability sample of undergraduate students

Abstract

Objective Present study aims to: 1) examine demographic correlates of LGB, asexual, or not sure participants 2) describe the prevalence of diverse sexual behaviors, 3) assess the prevalence of event-level sexual behaviors and 4) examine predictors of sexual pleasure. Participants 761 non-heterosexual undergraduates at a large, public U.S. university. Methods Randomly sampled undergraduate students completed a confidential, cross-sectional online survey. Results Of 761 non-heterosexual respondents; 567 identified as LGB, 47 asexual, and 147 not sure. Asexual students, those not sure were less likely to report having engaged in solo and partnered sexual activities and report sexual activities being less pleasurable at most recent sexual event, compared with LGB students. This difference (relative to LGB) became nonsignificant when accounting for reported sexual activities. Conclusions Our findings inform how college students define and experience their sexual identities and assist college health professionals in training on sexuality and prevention of risk factors.