Women’s Sexual Communication with Their Peers and Its Association with Sexual Wellbeing

“We talked about our hookups”: A diary study of sexual communication among U.S. college women

“…The fact that most conversations were with friends is also consistent with past research about the importance of peers as a source of disclosure during college (Aldeis & Afifi, 2013). The findings align with past research that women talk frequently to friends about sex during the college years (Lefkowitz, Boone, & Shearer, 2004; Lefkowitz & Espinosa-Hernandez, 2007), and that friends are an important source of expressive support on sex-related topics (Pariera, 2018). While we did not collect data about the sexual relationships our participants had, it may be that women are more inclined to talk to friends about sex than they are to partners, but future diary studies should collect detailed relationship information to test this.…”

“…Future research on sex-related gossip may further illuminate gossip’s role in establishing norms. The findings also support past research that much peer communication about sex is focused on advice-giving (Pariera, 2018; Yeo & Chu, 2017), again highlighting the importance of peers as referents and confidants. This may be beneficial, as sexual communication with peers is negatively associated with expectations that future sexual activity would be stigmatized among peers (Ragsdale et al, 2014).…”

“…This communication is crucial to identity exploration, social support, and information gathering (Muise et al, 2010; Pariera, 2018). Sexual communication with peers has been associated with peer pressure and problematic sexual norm perceptions (Busse et al, 2010; Holman & Sillars, 2012; Norris et al, 2015; Pariera, 2018), but it has also been associated with higher sexual self-efficacy and positive attitudes about sex and safer sex, particularly for women (Lefkowitz, Boone, & Shearer, 2004; Lefkowitz & Espinosa-Hernandez, 2007; Pariera, 2018). Young people whose peers care about their sexual well-being tend to engage in less risky behavior than those who do not have such peer support (Wetherill et al, 2010).…”

“…For example, college students tend to talk about hooking up, dating, and positive aspects of sexuality, but less so about sexual risks (DiIorio et al, 2000; Lefkowitz, Boone, & Shearer, 2004; Levin et al, 2012; Noar et al, 2006; Paul & Hayes, 2002). One study found that conversations about sex can help individuals evaluate their sexual identity, and garner validation and support (Morgan & Korobov, 2012), while another found that women tend to talk to provide support and normalization about sex (Pariera, 2018). Montemurro et al (2015) found that women were uncomfortable talking with friends about sex unless they saw the conversation as a way to bond or as a means of support.…”

“…Montemurro et al (2015) found that women were uncomfortable talking with friends about sex unless they saw the conversation as a way to bond or as a means of support. Sex-related talk between friends also focuses on advice-giving (Pariera, 2018; Yeo & Chu, 2017), suggesting that friends may be important information resources. Generating and reinforcing group norms may be another common function, with one study finding gossip about sexual reputation was a common occurrence (Massar et al, 2012).…”