Sexual fantasies, interests, and experiences are three important aspects of human sexual expression that likely are related yet distinct. Updated and comprehensive information on patterns in these three areas of sexual expression is important for developing knowledge on the extent to which fantasies are distinct from interests and experiences as well as whether social sexual norms are changing. Thus, the overall goal of this study was to explore patterns in university students’ sexual expression. Participants (N = 236; 65 men, 171 women) completed a background questionnaire and a measure of 43 specific sexual fantasies, interests, and experiences. We used Joyal, Cossette, and Lapierre’s (2015) categories to determine which specific fantasies, interests, and experiences were typical, common, uncommon, unusual, and rare. The results suggested that typical and common fantasies, interests, and experiences are those that fit with sexual norms and evolutionary pressures. However, some activities that fall outside of social norms, or evolutionary benefits, may be common or uncommon, rather than unusual or rare. For the most part, the prevalence and diversity of sexual fantasies aligned closely with sexual interests. We found more gender similarities than differences; when men and women differed, it was in specific sexual fantasies and interests rather than sexual experiences. Our findings suggest that young men and women fantasize about, are interested in, and engage in diverse sexual activities that are somewhat guided by social norms and evolutionary pressures. These findings provide novel, contemporary information on social norms, gender similarities, and diversity in young adults’ sexual expression.

We examined the latent structure and taxonicity of hypersexuality in large university and community samples of male and female respondents. Participants completed the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) and Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), each as part of larger anonymous online surveys of sexual behavior. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were performed in part to prepare the data for taxometric analysis and also to identify the putative dimensions underpinning each measure. Three latent dimensions were identified from each of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (dyscontrol, consequences, and preoccupation) and Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (coping, dyscontrol, and consequences). Taxometric analyses of the generated factors using mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum covariance (MAXCOV), and latent mode factor analysis (L-Mode) broadly supported a dimensional latent structure for hypersexuality, particularly in female participants. Implications pertaining to the assessment of hypersexuality are discussed.

Cette étude s’est penchée sur l’hypersexualité (c.-à-d., un désir sexuel plus élevé ou des comportements sexuels plus fréquents que la norme, le tout accompagné de conséquences négatives ou de détresse) dans une population d’étudiants universitaires hétérosexuels, par l’entremise de différents questionnaires et indicateurs. L’échantillon était composé de 717 étudiants féminins et masculins, âgés de 18 à 24 ans, fréquentant une université ontarienne. Des différences entre les sexes ont été remarquées pour les questionnaires et les indicateurs étudiés, suggérant que les hommes étaient plus hypersexuels que les femmes. De plus, lorsque comparés à l’échantillon d’adultes de Långström et Hanson (2006), nos participants se révélaient plus hypersexuels sur les comportements sexuels impersonnels sélectionnés. Finalement, une portion considérable de notre échantillon atteignait les points limites d’hypersexualité proposés par certains chercheurs, remettant en question la validité et la capacité de généralisation de ces critères. En somme, cette étude a fait ressortir l’importance de recueillir des normes spécifiques d’hypersexualité pour une population donnée, avant d’apposer des points limites.

We examined the prevalence of hypersexuality in two combined Canadian adult community samples totalling 1,857 respondents (female n = 960, male n = 835, other n = 60, missing n = 2). Participants were recruited from social media to complete an online sexual behaviour survey that included two measures of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder— the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) and Hypersexual Behaviour Inventory (HBI)—as well as sexual behaviour and interest items. Respondents also reported their total sexual outlets (TSO)—defined by number of orgasms experienced weekly—as a third potential indicator of hypersexuality. Canadian men and women reported multiple sexual outlets per week that tended to be higher than previous reports. Men tended to report a larger number and higher frequency of various sexual behaviour than women, including higher rates of compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, which varied depending on the measure employed. Implications for establishing sexuality norms and conceptualizing hypersexuality and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder are discussed.

No abstract