Sex Guilt Research Articles

Associations between negative sexual messaging in childhood and sex guilt in adulthood

AbstractSex guilt refers to a feeling of shame or anxiety induced by sexual behavior due to the inconsistency between a person's value and their sexuality. Sex guilt often stems from traditional, gender stereotypical sexual views and attitudes. In this study, we inquired what factors could be predicting sex guilt. Negative sexual messaging (NSM) refers to the promotion of abstinence and the glorification of virginity, representing a set of sex‐negatives views. We evaluated the relationships between NSM in childhood and sex guilt in adulthood. We include childhood sexual abuse as an alternative predictor of sex guilt to anchor our results with NSM. Participants were recruited through undergraduate groups and online platforms (total N = 1322) and completed an online survey regarding about their sexual experience. We found that NSM was a strong, persistent predictor of sex guilt. Those who experienced more NSM reported higher sex guilt. Our findings could be particularly informative for educators and policy maker who creates sex education curricula. Further study is needed to clarify the mechanisms through which NSM are associated with sex guilt.

Investigating the Relationship of Childhood Traumas and Sexual Guilt with Sexual Addiction in Iranian Prostitutes.

Prostitution is a social phenomenon, and its underlying factors require more scholarly attention. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of childhood traumas and sexual guilt with sexual addiction in Iranian prostitutes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on prostitutes who visited a health promotion center in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran in 2020. A total of 100 women agreed to participate in the study. Data collection tools included the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), Mosher Sex-Guilt Scale, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The age of the participants ranged from 23 to 42, with a mean age of 33.54±8.9 years. About 40% of the participants were divorced, 13% were married, 27% were single, and 10% were widows. The findings indicated that 84% of the prostitutes met the criteria for sexual addiction according to SAST. Emotional abuse (r=0.41, P<0.001), physical abuse (r=0.32, P<0.001), sexual abuse (r=0.33, P<0.001), emotional neglect (r=0.52, P<0.001), and physical neglect (r=0.37, P<0.001) had a positive and significant relationship with sexual addiction in prostitutes. There was no correlation between sexual guilt and sexual addiction (r=0.13, P=0.09). Furthermore, the linear regression results showed that emotional neglect was the only variable positively associated with sexual addiction (β=0.5, P<0.001). The findings of this study suggested that childhood traumas can predict sexual addiction in female prostitutes.

Premarital Sexual Behavior, Sexual Assertiveness, and Sex Guilt Among College Students

The phenomenon of premarital sexual behavior in college students is a moral problem demanding serious attention. A key determinant in reducing this behavior is the interplay between sexual assertiveness and sex guilt. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of sexual assertiveness and sex guilt on premarital sexual behavior. A quantitative approach is used with multiple linear regression analysis techniques. The participant consists of 153 students residing in Bandung City, aged 18-24 years, who are presently or have been in a relationship and are unmarried. The results show that sexual assertiveness and sex guilt have negative significant effect on premarital sexual behavior both simultaneously and partially with contribution of 35.9%. In conclusion, these variables are crucial for students as they can prevent them from engaging in premarital sexual behavior ranging from mild to severe risks.

The Moderating Effect of Religiousness on the Relation Between Sexual Guilt and Shame and Well-Being Among Jewish Religious Single Men.

Jewish religious singles may feel guilty and ashamed due to sexual behaviors that violate religious law, such as pre-matrimony sexual relations, viewing pornography, and masturbation. This study examined the relation between sexual guilt and shame (SGS) and psychological well-being, and whether this relation was moderated by level of religiousness. It was hypothesized that SGS would be negatively related to psychological well-being and that this relation would be stronger at higher levels of religiousness compared to lower levels of religiousness. Participants were single young-adult men (N = 165, Mage = 23.3) belonging to the national-orthodox Jewish community in Israel who completed online questionnaires. SGS was positively associated with anxiety and depression and negatively associated with life satisfaction. Additionally, the relations between SGS and measures of psychological well-being were moderated by the level of religiousness. However, contrary to the hypothesized moderation effect, SGS was positively related to negative psychological consequences and negatively related to life satisfaction at a low level of religiousness, whereas at a high level of religiousness no significant relationship between SGS and the psychological outcome measures was found. These findings may indicate that there may be adaptive elements in religion that can help an individual cope with SGS, and thus to negate its detrimental effects on psychological well-being.

Patterns of Sexual Well-Being in Mexican Adolescents and Associations with Psychological Adjustment: A Latent Profile Analysis Approach

ABSTRACT We examined Mexican adolescent sexual well-being tasks, defined as the positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of one’s sexuality. We assessed three dimensions: acceptance of sexual desire, sexual decision-making involving mutual consent, and, when sexually active, the practice of safe sex. We utilized a person-centered approach to examine how patterns marked by different aspects of sexual well-being predict psychological adjustment. Participants were 1123 Mexican high or middle school (72%) students (54% girls; Mage = 15.1, SD = 1.52). We found a 6-profile model: 1) Average Sexual Health (40%); 2) High Protective Low Acceptance (20%); 3) Multidimensional Healthy (19%); 4) Multidimensional Risky (11%); 5) High Acceptance Low Contraception and Consent (6%); and 6) High Consent Low Contraception (4%). These profiles included some adolescents who experienced both low and high sexual scores on different sexual well-being indicators. For example, adolescents who belonged to the High Protective, Low Acceptance profile understood the importance of safe sex and mutual consent; but still felt sexual guilt. Profile membership was associated with gender, religion, age, and sexual experience. Adolescents in classes marked by high levels of well-being reported high levels of psychological adjustment. Findings may help educators develop more targeted sexual risk and violence prevention programs.

The guilt that guides me: religiosity, sex guilt, and the demonization of sex workers

ABSTRACT Religiosity and sex-related attitudes are often correlated, and on occasion negatively. That is, as religiosity increases, sexual attitudes tend to become more conservative or generally more disapproving in valence. Recent research suggests that one’s own sex guilt may be the mediating influence in this relationship. A series of two studies sought to extend that research and examine the extent to which an individual’s religiosity and sex guilt influences their perspective of pornography and sex workers. A survey containing relevant measures was distributed to undergraduate participants as well as individuals from Amazon.com’s MTurk. Results indicate that individuals high in religiosity have more negative views of pornography in general, and more demonizing views toward sex workers. However, it was their own sex guilt that mediated that relationship. This study replicates and adds to our current understanding of how religiosity and disparaging views of sex are related, but also shows the importance of including sex guilt as an influential individual difference.

Tell Me More: Parent–Child Sexual Talk and Young Adult Sexual Communication Satisfaction with Romantic Partners

Young adults (18–30) tend to show insufficient levels of communication about sex with their romantic partners, despite its many benefits to relationships among this age group. Learned sexual shame and guilt can play a role in inhibiting sexual communication with partners, and early messages about sex from parents stemming from narrow cultural boundaries of communication may play a role in fostering sexual shame and guilt from a young age, potentially influencing later sexual communication patterns with partners. We sought to identify whether a significant relationship existed between the sexual communication participants received from parents while growing up and their current sexual communication satisfaction, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction with romantic partners. Path analysis revealed a significant, positive link between parent–child sexual communication and current partner sexual communication satisfaction while controlling for all other variables and length of relationship. ANOVA analyses revealed greater reported sex guilt among males and highly religious participants. Correlation and regression analyses yielded significant, positive relationships between former parent–child communication quality and current young adult sexual satisfaction with partner. Clinical implications and research directions are discussed for increasing open parent–child sex communication.

Sexual Function After Voluntary Castration.

Some genetic males undergo voluntary castration, with and without hormonal supplementation. Here, we investigate the sexual function of 163 such individuals (average age = 52 ± 16-years-old). Specifically, we explored how hormonal, social, and psychological factors play a role in their sexual function. In this study, 47% identified their gender as "eunuch", and 36% identified their gender as "man." Furthermore, 64% were in a relationship (80% with a woman), and 28% had a strong attraction for both sexes (Kinsey 2-4). We found that castrated individuals with androgen supplementation have higher sexual function than those without any hormone supplementation. Individuals with anxiety symptoms reported better sexual parameters (better orgasm satisfaction, easier to achieve an erection and an orgasm) than those without anxiety symptoms. Among those low in anxiety, individuals without hormone supplementation had a weaker sex drive and more difficulty in getting sexually aroused than those on supplemental estrogen or androgen. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that control variables (i.e., age, depressive symptoms, time since castration, type of hormone supplementation) accounted for 13-30% of the variances in sexual parameters. Including sexual guilt in the models predicted 4-8% additional variances in all sexual parameters except for ease in getting and maintaining an erection. Adding in participants' sexual trauma scores accounted for an additional 3.7% in the strength of their reported sex drive. In conclusion, various factors-hormone therapy, anxiety, sexual guilt, and childhood trauma-may influence the sexual outcomes for castrated individuals.

Acculturation and Sexual Attitudes: a Systematic Review

IntroductionThe culture plays an important role in sexuality. Although each ethnocultural group has its own sexual attitudes, in multicultural contexts, the acculturation process could modify the sexual attitudes of these groups. The aim of the study was to perform a systematic literature review of the studies that have examined the relationship between acculturation and sexual attitudes.MethodThe review was carried out in the ProQuest and Scopus databases. There was no time restriction in literature search.ResultsA total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. The year of publication of the studies ranged from 1982 to 2020. The studies were conducted in the USA and/or in Canada and included mainly Asians and Latinos/Hispanics. Proxy indicators, unidimensional, and bidimensional measures were used to measure acculturation. In general, results show that mainstream acculturation is positively related to liberal or positive sexual attitudes. Relevant interaction and mediation effects were also found: (1) mainstream dimension moderates the relationship between heritage dimension and sexual attitudes, (2) heritage dimension moderates the relationship between mainstream dimension and sexual attitudes, (3) acculturation moderates the relation between gender and sexual attitudes, (4) gender moderates the relation between acculturation and sexual attitudes, (5) the ethnocultural origin moderates the relationship between acculturation and sexual attitudes, and (6) sex guilt mediated the relationship between mainstream acculturation and sexual desire.ConclusionThe acculturation process is related to sexual attitudes.Policy ImplicationsKnowing the acculturation process could be important to achieve greater equity in sexual health among different groups.

The Role of Sex Guilt as a Mediating Variable in the Association of Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction: An Intersectional Approach

The Role of Sex Guilt as a Mediating Variable in the Association of Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction: An Intersectional Approach

The Experience of Sex Guilt: The Roles of Parenting, Adult Attachment, and Sociosexuality

Sociosexuality, comfort with sex outside the confines of a committed relationship, and parent–child dynamics have been associated with experiences of sex guilt. However, the mechanisms through which family dynamics are related to sociosexuality and sex guilt are still unclear. Using a developmental framework, in a cross-sectional study, we examined whether attachment styles and parent–child relationships would be associated with the development and maintenance of sociosexuality. We hypothesized that insecure attachment styles and sociosexuality would independently and positively mediate the relationship between parent–child relationship quality (accepting/rejecting) and sex guilt. Findings support past research and suggests that parental rejection predicts insecure attachments, which positively predicts unrestricted sociosexuality, and in turn, is negatively associated with sex guilt. This could suggest that sociosexuality may act as a buffer for sex guilt among this sample.

“Pretty hurts”: Acceptance of hegemonic feminine beauty ideals and reduced sexual well-being among Black women

Although women are expected to idealize and achieve hegemonic feminine beauty standards such as being slender and lighter skinned, few studies have examined how women’s investment in achieving these restrictive feminine appearance ideals may influence their sexual attitudes and behaviors. Even less is known about Black women. We surveyed 640 Black college women to test hypotheses that endorsement of hegemonic beauty ideals would be positively associated with four dimensions of negative sexual affect (sexual guilt, shame, emotional distancing, and self-consciousness) and negatively associated with two dimensions of sexual agency (sexual assertiveness and satisfaction). Correlation and regression analyses showed that hegemonic beauty ideal acceptance was linked with greater sexual guilt, shame, emotional distancing, and sexual self-consciousness in addition to lower levels of sexual assertiveness and satisfaction. Findings highlight how endorsing restrictive, hegemonic standards of beauty is associated with Black women’s reduced sexual affect and sexual agency.

Exploring Relationships Between Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder, Sex Guilt, and Religiosity Among College Women in the U.S.

IntroductionDespite a growing body of research on psychosocial factors in Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) during sexual intercourse, there are few studies examining adolescent and young adult women's experiences with painful sex and the effects of religiosity, sexual education, and sex guilt. AimThe purpose of the study was to examine the occurrence of GPPPD among sexually active female college students, including psychosocial factors of religiosity and religious practice, sexual education, sex guilt, and sexual distress. MethodsData were collected from 974 college women from a university in the Northeastern U.S. We limited our sample to sexually active women (n = 593, 60.9%; mean age: 18.96) who responded to the questionnaire item, “In general, do you feel pain with sexual intercourse?” Participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), Revised Mosher Sex Guilt Scale, Abbreviated Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, 10-item Gender Role Beliefs Scale, and measures on sexual wellness and practice and sexual education experiences. Data were analyzed using standard bivariate and regression analyses as well as path analysis. Main Outcome MeasuresWomen were asked, “In general, do you feel pain with sexual intercourse?” and categorized into one of three pain groups: occasional (10%–25% of the time), frequent (50% or more), and no pain (less than 10%). ResultsGPPPD with sex was prevalent among young college women, with 113 (19.1%) reporting frequent pain and 143 (24.1%) occasional pain (control n = 337, 56.8%). Numerous statistically significant factors were identified, including frequency of sex, ability to orgasm, sensations during intercourse, presence of a steady sexual partner, expectations of painful sex, sex guilt, and sexual distress. Sex guilt acted as full mediator between religiosity and painful sex. ImplicationsHealthcare providers should proactively initiate conversations with young female patients about painful intercourse to identify issues and normalize language on pain with sex. Educators are urged to teach evidence-based information on pain-free and guilt-free sexual experiences inside and outside religious contexts. ConclusionPainful sex affects adolescent and young adult women at a similar rate as non-college adult women and while religiosity does not directly impact young women's GPPPD, religiosity does lead to painful sex if it causes sex guilt. Further research is needed into the mechanisms of religion-based sexual shaming and among religiously conservative women who practice abstinence until marriage.Azim KA, Happel-Parkins A, Moses A, et al. Exploring Relationships Between Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder, Sex Guilt, and Religiosity Among College Women in the U.S. J Sex Med 2021;18:770–782.

Black Female Adolescents’ Sexuality: Pleasure Expectancies, Sexual Guilt, and Age of Sexual Debut

This study examined individual and familial influences on Black female adolescents’ (N = 1426) sexual pleasure expectancies, sexual guilt, and age of sexual debut using data from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent to Adult Health. Results indicated significant differences between Black female adolescents that were sexually active and those that were not. Religious importance, having a residential father, and perceived pubertal timing were significantly associated with sexual guilt and pleasure expectancies. Religious importance and perceived pubertal timing were also associated with later ages of sexual debut. These results have implications for sexuality education and future research using sex positive and intimate justice frameworks.

An investigation of Jezebel stereotype awareness, gendered racial identity and sexual beliefs and behaviours among Black adult women

Evidence suggests that the intersectional nature of Black women’s race and gender identities influence their awareness of sexual scripts such as the hypersexual, Jezebel stereotype. This study examined the role of the Jezebel stereotype and Black women’s identity beliefs on their sexual beliefs and behaviours. Specifically, we investigated the role of gendered racial identity beliefs on the relationship between Jezebel stereotype awareness and Black women’s sexual behaviours (sexual assertiveness, sexual satisfaction, sexual guilt and attachment avoidance in relationships). A diverse national sample of Black women completed measures of gendered racial identity beliefs, Jezebel stereotype awareness and sexual behaviours. Black women who felt more positively connected to their Black woman identity reported greater sexual assertiveness and satisfaction. Consistent with past research, more awareness of the Jezebel stereotype was associated with higher sexual guilt and attachment avoidance. We discuss the enduring legacy of the Jezebel stereotype in relation to Black women’s gendered racial identity beliefs, as well as the importance of promoting positive sexual beliefs and a sense of sexual agency among Black women in the USA.

Differences in the Psychological, Sexual, and Childhood Experiences Among Men with Extreme Interests in Voluntary Castration.

Some genetic males seek voluntary castration. We designed a survey to compare the psychological, sexual, and childhood experiences for subgroups of men with extreme interest in castration. The survey was posted on the Eunuch Archive, an online platform for individuals interested in the topic. Data from 822 individuals were included in the analyses. Respondents were divided into four groups: Interested (claiming only an interest in castration topics), Fantasy (fantasize about castration sexually, but not desiring castration), Wannabe (considering being castrated in the future), and Castrated (already castrated). More individuals desiring castration (Wannabe and Castrated groups) claimed equal attraction to both sexes than individuals in the Interested group. The Interested group was more religious than the other groups, and the Fantasy group had lower sexual guilt than those with castration desire. All groups had similar psychological well-being and body image acceptance, despite the Castrated group having lower sexual functioning than the others. Childhood trauma was more common in those with castration desire than those without. The Interested group had a lower desire for castration, lower erotic attraction to castration, and pretended to be castrated at a younger age than the others. Childhood trauma and sexual guilt are common, but not limited, predictors for castration desire and erotic attraction to castration, respectively. In conclusion, childhood experiences, as well as psychological and sexual parameters, may vary in different subgroups of males with interests in castration.

Sex guilt or sanctification? The indirect role of religiosity on sexual satisfaction.

Sex guilt or sanctification? The indirect role of religiosity on sexual satisfaction.

The Webs We Weave: Predicting Infidelity Motivations and Extradyadic Relationship Satisfaction

ABSTRACT The current study examined relationships between sociosexual constructs and motivations for infidelity in a currently cheating sample. Members of the AshleyMadison.com website who were actively using the website to search for and/or engage in infidelity completed a brief anonymous online survey. Our findings supported previous research regarding emotional and sexual motivations for infidelity. However, we also found that various individual differences were connected to each type of motive. For example, sexual motivations for infidelity were best predicted by being male, having an unrestricted sociosexual orientation, experiencing less sex guilt, having greater Christian identification, and being less satisfied with the primary partner. Importantly, these were not the same patterns for each type of motivation (e.g., anger). Finally, participants’ satisfaction with their secondary (i.e., infidelity) partners was not consistently predicted by the motivations for infidelity. This suggests that an individual-differences approach to predicting issues related to infidelity is an important approach for future research.

A Critique on the Usage of Mosher’s Sexual Guilt Scale in Psychology and Psychiatry Researches in Islamic Societies: Cultural Differences in the Meaning of Sexual Guilt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE : Due to the increasing use of questionnaires as simple and accessible tools to measure psychological constructs it is necessary to evaluate these tools in terms of Cross-Cultural Adaptation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Mouser sexual guilt questionnaire. METHODS : This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all sexual health psychologists who either they were seminary educated (educated at hawzah) or educated abroad. The study sample was selected in a purposeful manner. Each group consisted of 20 experts who they expressed their views on the Items of the Mosher Sex-Guilt scale. Data were analyzed using independent t-test for independent groups. RESULTS: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the seminaries educated specialists and educated abroad specialists. In other words, the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that indicate sexual guilt differ between the two groups of professionals. CONCLUSION: Sexual guilt is a culture-bounded concept. Behavior, thoughts, and beliefs that are considered as sexual guilt in one culture and their existence can harm one's sexual health may be considered acceptable in another culture.

Relating Gender to Sex: Gendered Attitudes, Sexual Double Standard, Sexual Intentions and Behaviors in two Chinese Adolescent Samples

ABSTRACT Adolescence is a critical life stage when individuals further consolidate their gender role concepts, develop sexual beliefs, and likely begin to experiment with sexual behaviors. While there have been numerous studies on adolescents’ gender role attitudes, sexual beliefs, and sexual behaviors, the bulk of this research has been based on Western samples. The current study aimed to expand our knowledge of adolescents’ gender and sexuality by examining gender role attitudes, sexual beliefs, and sexual behaviors in an urban sample (n = 613) and a rural sample (n = 408) from China. Adolescent boys reported stronger identification with the negative male role, less sexual guilt, and stronger sexual intention than their female counterparts. Compared to the urban sample, adolescents in the rural sample were more likely to endorse both negative and positive male roles, hold the sexual double standard, and experience sexual guilt. Regression analyses yielded significant interaction effects between sex and negative male role on sexual guilt and sexual intention, suggesting that the negative male role was differentially associated with sexual guilt and sexual intention in boys versus in girls. Moreover, the negative male role was the only significant predictor of sexual behavior. Cultural implications of these findings were discussed.