Abstract
Surprisingly little is known about oral sex experiences among emerging adults, including the motives behind their participation
in this sexual activity. The current study examined the characteristics of emerging adults’ most recent oral sex experience.
A total of 431 young people (M age = 21.7 years; 71.7% female) completed an on-line survey assessing their sexual history, context (partner type, co-occurring
sexual behaviors), and motives (physical, emotional, goal attainment, and insecurity) for engaging in their most recent heterosexual
oral sex interaction. The majority of oral sex encounters occurred within the context of a committed relationship and during
an interaction that also included intercourse. Cunnilingus was rare unless reciprocated with fellatio. Overall, both males’
and females’ reports indicate that they were motivated to engage in oral sex by sexual desire and attraction to their partner,
or to enhance an emotional connection with their partner. Insecurity and goal attainment motives were uncommon. Males reported
more physical motives than did females, and females reported more emotional and insecurity motives than did males. The findings
provide insights into youths’ oral sex experiences, and make clear how essential it is to understand the broader sexual and
partnership context in which a given sexual activity occurs. These findings have implications for policies aimed at the development
of effective sexual health education programs.
in this sexual activity. The current study examined the characteristics of emerging adults’ most recent oral sex experience.
A total of 431 young people (M age = 21.7 years; 71.7% female) completed an on-line survey assessing their sexual history, context (partner type, co-occurring
sexual behaviors), and motives (physical, emotional, goal attainment, and insecurity) for engaging in their most recent heterosexual
oral sex interaction. The majority of oral sex encounters occurred within the context of a committed relationship and during
an interaction that also included intercourse. Cunnilingus was rare unless reciprocated with fellatio. Overall, both males’
and females’ reports indicate that they were motivated to engage in oral sex by sexual desire and attraction to their partner,
or to enhance an emotional connection with their partner. Insecurity and goal attainment motives were uncommon. Males reported
more physical motives than did females, and females reported more emotional and insecurity motives than did males. The findings
provide insights into youths’ oral sex experiences, and make clear how essential it is to understand the broader sexual and
partnership context in which a given sexual activity occurs. These findings have implications for policies aimed at the development
of effective sexual health education programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-012-9745-z
- Authors
- Sarah A. Vannier, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B-5A3, Canada
- Lucia F. O’Sullivan, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B-5A3, Canada
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891