Start Date
April 2025
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
Sexual wellbeing (SWB) includes several distinct components, including physiological and emotional components (e.g., arousal, lubrication, satisfaction). Previous research has suggested that multiple aspects of individuals’ identity can represent risk factors for lower SWB. For example, African American men may be at higher risk of erectile problems compared to white men.
A lack of standardization in the conceptualization and measurement of SWB limits confidence in these findings. Past research has not differentiated between different aspects of SWB (physiological arousal and emotional wellbeing); thus, we do not know which aspects of SWB are most strongly associated with minority identities. Furthermore, measurement of minority identities in this literature often dichotomizes the variable (e.g., white versus non-white) as opposed to analyzing specific differences between minority groups.
To address these issues, we explored which aspects of SWB were most strongly predicted by different aspects of minority identity. Analyses were run in multiple ways, for example, coding identity predictors into dichotomies of majority/minority groups (e.g., white vs. non-white) vs. categorizing the variables (including each ethnicity).
Results suggested that 1) ethnicity did not predict SWB, and 2) identifying as non-heterosexual was associated with worse SWB. Follow-up analyses suggested that identifying specifically as bisexual or “other” in terms of sexual orientation was most strongly predictive of lower sexual wellbeing. Results were consistent with research on bisexuality, where individuals can be doubly stigmatized, by heterosexual and gay/lesbian communities. To understand the impact of identity on SWB, it is important for future research to include nuanced assessment of sexual orientation.
Exploring the associations between minority identity and sexual wellbeing
2nd floor - Library
Sexual wellbeing (SWB) includes several distinct components, including physiological and emotional components (e.g., arousal, lubrication, satisfaction). Previous research has suggested that multiple aspects of individuals’ identity can represent risk factors for lower SWB. For example, African American men may be at higher risk of erectile problems compared to white men.
A lack of standardization in the conceptualization and measurement of SWB limits confidence in these findings. Past research has not differentiated between different aspects of SWB (physiological arousal and emotional wellbeing); thus, we do not know which aspects of SWB are most strongly associated with minority identities. Furthermore, measurement of minority identities in this literature often dichotomizes the variable (e.g., white versus non-white) as opposed to analyzing specific differences between minority groups.
To address these issues, we explored which aspects of SWB were most strongly predicted by different aspects of minority identity. Analyses were run in multiple ways, for example, coding identity predictors into dichotomies of majority/minority groups (e.g., white vs. non-white) vs. categorizing the variables (including each ethnicity).
Results suggested that 1) ethnicity did not predict SWB, and 2) identifying as non-heterosexual was associated with worse SWB. Follow-up analyses suggested that identifying specifically as bisexual or “other” in terms of sexual orientation was most strongly predictive of lower sexual wellbeing. Results were consistent with research on bisexuality, where individuals can be doubly stigmatized, by heterosexual and gay/lesbian communities. To understand the impact of identity on SWB, it is important for future research to include nuanced assessment of sexual orientation.
