Interpartner concordance of self‐reported sexual behavior among college dating couples

Abstract

The interpartner concordance of self‐reported sexual behavior among college dating couples (N = 119 couples, total N = 238) was assessed using self‐administered questionnaires. Moderate to high agreement (≥ 75%) was found for (a) a range of sexual behaviors, including all types of penetrative intercourse; (b) behaviors related to vaginal and oral intercourse (e.g., condom use, alcohol use); and (c) pregnancy‐prevention discussion. Partners' reports of when they first met, first dated, and began steadily and exclusively dating were significantly correlated (all ps < .001). In contrast, less agreement was observed for the occurrence of safer sex discussion beyond pregnancy prevention (e.g., past sexual histories; < 75%) and sexual behaviors involving the anus and men's genitals (< 60%), primarily because of men's failure to report these behaviors. Participants had moderate awareness of their partner's attitudes toward casual sex, but low awareness of their attitudes toward condom use and sexual responsibility. Greater concordance about sexual and safer sex behavior was generally present in couples in which the male partner was younger and had a restricted sociosexuality. Men who were virgins prior to their current relationship and/or who had specifically discussed the woman's past sexual history had greater knowledge about their partner's past and concurrent sexual behavior. Methodological and applied implications of these findings for both clinical and empirical sexuality domains are discussed.