Interpartner concordance of self-reported sexual behaviour among college dating couples
Seal, D.W.
Journal of Sex Research 34(1): 39-55
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4499 Document Number: 532933
The interpartner concordance of self-reported sexual behaviour among college dating couples in the USA, (n=119 couples; total n=238) was assessed using self-administration questionnaires. Moderate to high agreement (>=75%) was found for (a) a range of sexual behaviours, including all types of penetrative intercourse; (b) behaviours related to vaginal and oral intercourse (e.g. condom use, alcohol use); and (c) pregnancy-prevention discussion. Partners' reports of when they first met, first dated and began steadily and exclusively dating were significantly correlated (all ps<0.001). In contrast, less agreement was observed for the occurrence of safer sex discussion beyond pregnancy prevention (e.g. past sexual histories; <75%) and sexual behaviours involving the anus and men's genitals (<60%), primarily because of men's failure to report these behaviours. Participants had moderate awareness of their partner's attitudes toward casual sex, but low awareness of their attitudes towards condom use and sexual responsibility. Greater concordance about sexual and safer sex behaviour was generally present in couples in which the male partner is younger and had a restricted sociosexuality. Men who were virgins prior to their current relationship and/or who had specifically discussed the woman's past sexual history had greater knowledge about their partner's past and concurrent sexual behaviour. Methodological and applied implications of these findings for both clinical and empirical sexuality domains are discussed.