Abstinence Memorable Message Narratives: A New Exploratory Research Study Into Young Adult Sexual Narratives

Abstract

Abstinence for most adolescent-aged college students relates to several factors, including strong religious beliefs, an aversion to taking risks, high career expectations, or limited attractiveness. Young adults receive hundreds of messages from various sources; therefore, understanding their memorable sexual messages is essential. This exploratory research uses an interpretive method to unravel the memorable sexual narratives of 65 virgin respondents. Findings yield two primary themes: involuntary abstinence, and conscious abstinence, which demonstrate that messages of abstinence are important yet often imbue punitive internal attitudes and beliefs derived from mainstream media and peer relationships. The article concludes with a recommendation for health practitioners and communication scholars to create positive open spaces where young adults can discuss sexuality, sexual relationships, and sexual behaviors. Additionally, understanding stigmas related to abstinence helps reframe normative sex communication messages and promote constructive short- and long-term sexual health behaviors.

The correlates of sexual experience and reasons for abstinence among Asian Americans.

“…Couture-Carron, & Maticka-Tyndale, 2016). For others, abstinence could result from a lack of desire, a prioritization of other interests or ambitions, or situational factors, such as not having a partner at all (Cooke-Jackson, Orbe, Johnson, & Kauffman, 2015;Sprecher & Treger, 2015). Still, for others, sexual abstinence can be a combination of these different factors.…”

Deviant Sexual Behaviours amongst Substance Abusers – a clinical study

“…Forced/Involuntary Abstinence (Involuntary celibacy): Persistent or recurrent abstinence from all sexual contacts cause significant interpersonal problems and marked distress. It differs from conscious abstinence when observed for internal attitudes and belief system of the person [38][39][40]. Participation in pornography: Participation in sexual activity involving video recording of self [41].…”

Adolescents’ Victim-Blaming Responses to Narratives About Sex Trafficking: Strategies for Curriculum Development

“…Several pro-social messaging campaigns have found that narratives offer a particularly effective way to communicate with adolescents about health topics (Cooke-Jackson et al, 2015; Gilliam et al, 2016; Willis et al, 2018). Quinn et al (2007), for example, found in preparation for a media campaign to reduce violence among middle-school students that teens desire spokespersons who can share firsthand stories about violence and its consequences: “It should be someone that has gone through it” (p. 363).…”