Changes in Female Student Sexual Behaviour during the Transition to University

Bibliographic Data

ID12601075
AuthorsRachel Farrow (0000-0002-3695-7088, corresponding author), Paul Arnold (0000-0003-2496-4624)
Year2003
Volume6
Issue4
Pages339-355
Publication date2003-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Youth Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1367-6261 • E-ISSN: 1469-9680
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1367626032000162087
OpenAlexW1978371397
LanguageEN
Citations received8

This study examines how female university students' sexual behaviour changes in the transitional stage of leaving home for university. Participants (n=273) were asked to rate how much change they had experienced in their sexual behaviour since arriving on campus, and to describe this change. A Likert scale was used to measure change. The most prevalent response indicated that 41 per cent of participants experienced ‘no change’. This was supported by a mean score of 4.07. However, 56 per cent of participants reported some degree of change in their sexual behaviour since beginning university. Nineteen per cent of participants experienced a decrease in change while 37 per cent experienced some degree of increase to their sexual behaviour. A thematic analysis found emerging patterns of behaviour change. The use of alcohol to reduce inhibitions was common and often associated with risk taking. Many changes were due to the absence of parental guidance, newly found freedom and greater choice of potential partners. Implications for a university's role in sex education and support services during university are discussed

Developmental psychology · Higher education · Likert scale · Political science · Qualitative research · Scale (ratio · Sociology · Thematic analysis · University education · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology

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