Deception in disclosing one's sexual history: Safe‐sex avoidance or ignorance?

Abstract

This study explores the dialectical tension in the development of a close relationship between practicing safe sex and preserving the relationship. Engaging in safe sex is a goal for many relational partners, but being open and honest about one's sexual history may harm a developing relationship, making both men and women reluctant to discuss their sexual experiences with potential lovers. A discrepancy in previous research concerning whether college students actually know that disclosure is a safe‐sex practice has led to the exploration of three research questions: (a) are college students aware that disclosing one's sexual history is a safe‐sex practice; (b) are college students truthful in disclosing their own sexual history; and (c) what is the relationship between college students’ awareness of disclosure as a safe‐sex practice and their truthfulness concerning their own sexual history disclosure? Results obtained from 364 undergraduate college students indicated that the vast majority of students (99.7%) felt knowledgeable about safe‐sex activities, but over 40% did not know that disclosing one's sexual history was considered a safe‐sex practice. Moreover, one‐third of the sexually active students have avoided this type of disclosure with at least one partner prior to becoming sexually involved, and at least one‐fifth of the sexually active students have intentionally misrepresented their sexual history to their sexual partners. In addition, those respondents who believed disclosure of their sexual history is a requirement before becoming sexually intimate were less likely to alter their sexual history to their partners. Suggestions are offered regarding how the emphasis for future health campaigns should concern relational as well as educational objectives.