The role of sexual satisfaction in adolescents and young adults’ mental health has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this work is to study differences in sexual satisfaction and mental health (anxiety and depression) based on romantic relationship status (having a partner vs. not having one) and gender. Likewise, the association between sexual satisfaction and mental health and the moderating effect of romantic relationship status and gender was addressed in this research. A total of 1682 Spanish adolescents (14–17) and young adults (18–29) agreed to participate in this cross-sectional investigation. Two-factor ANOVA and MANOVA, and hierarchical regression models were utilized in this study. In general, results showed more difficulties in sexual satisfaction and mental health for those not in a current relationship and for women. Additionally, higher levels of sexual satisfaction was associated with lower levels of anxiety for adolescents and lower levels of depression for young adults. These associations were stronger for those in a current relationship. This study highlights the importance of sexual satisfaction as a modifying factor against mental health problems, especially in the context of a current romantic relationship.

This paper explores Spanish adolescents' knowledge of six dimensions of human sexuality: anatomy and sexual physiology; sexual health; sexual behavior and human sexual response; affection and sexuality; sexual identity; and sexuality and society. A questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge was administered to a sample of 3853 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 (M = 14.40, SD = 1.44) from 38 secondary schools throughout Castile and Leon (Spain). The results show that adolescents of both genders, mainly those enrolled in lower-secondary education levels, tend to be misinformed about sexuality. Taking into account all the analyzed dimensions, results reveal that adolescents' knowledge of sexual identity is significantly greater than that of sexuality and society, or of anatomy and sexual physiology. In addition, women show more detailed knowledge than men, although the margin between genders is quite small. Finally, this work highlights the need for sexual education in order to promote more thorough scientific knowledge of sexuality among Spanish adolescents.