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Publication
Do different sources of sexuality education contribute differently to sexual health and well-being outcomes? Examining sexuality education in Spain and Portugal
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Sexuality education (SE) can be acquired through different sources. In a cross-sectional
online study with Spanish and Portuguese participants (N = 595), we examined differences
between formal traditional sources (i.e., mandatory SE received in schools), formal modern
sources (e.g., SE received in courses), informal traditional sources (e.g., talks with friends and
family), and informal modern sources (e.g., pornography and online content) and their
contribution to sexual health and well-being outcomes. Results showed that sexual and
reproductive health were among the most addressed topics across all sources. Nearly all
participants received SE from informal sources, whereas more than two-thirds received
SE from formal traditional sources. Results of a linear regression model showed that
participants who perceived more influence from formal traditional sources reported
using condoms more often, were more focused on disease prevention, and enacted more
sexual health communication, but were also less sex-positive. Participants who perceived
more influence from both types of informal sources attributed more importance to SE
topics but reported having condomless sex more frequently and were more focused on
pleasure promotion. Still, participants who perceived more influence from informal
traditional sources also endorsed more internal/external consent, were more sexually
satisfied, were more sex-positive, and enacted more sexual health practices. Lastly, participants who perceived more influence from informal modern sources were also
more likely to have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Only a small
proportion of participants received SE from formal modern sources and had to be
excluded from this analysis. Some differences between Spain and Portugal are discussed.
Taken together, our findings highlight the need to consider different sources for a more
comprehensive and inclusive SE, in articulation with sociocultural and political contexts.
Description
This research was supported by grants from the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR 2022 Geographical Diversity Research Grants) and the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation (Ref.: CF/PR/SR20/52550001) awarded to DLR, and from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia awarded to DLR (Ref.: 2020.00523. CEECIND) and ACC (Ref.: 2023.01784.BD).
Keywords
Sexual behavior Sexual health Sexual well-being Sexuality Sexuality education Sources of sexuality education
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Rodrigues, D., Carvalho, A. C., de Visser, R., Lopes, D., Alvarez, M.-J. (2024). Do different sources of sexuality education contribute differently to sexual health and well-being outcomes? Examining sexuality education in Spain and Portugal. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(9), 2616-2645. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241249172
Publisher
Sage