Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Lifetime Number

Background Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.

Corrigendum to: Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: The Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Lifetime Number

Background Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.

First vaginal intercourse and oral sex among a representative sample of Australian adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Wendy Heywood ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Judy M. Simpson ◽  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Vaginal Intercourse ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Vaginal Sex

Background Current information about the characteristics of Australian adults’ first vaginal intercourse and contraception or precautions used on that occasion is needed, as well as whether these characteristics have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents indicated their age at first vaginal intercourse and first oral sex. Those who reported vaginal intercourse were asked the age of their partner, their relationship to their partner, the duration of this relationship, and what contraception or precautions (if any) were used. Results: There was a significant decline in the median age of first vaginal intercourse for both men and women among those born between the 1940s and the 1960s, but no further decline since. There has also been a significant increase in the use of protection at first vaginal intercourse, from less than 20% of men and women in the 1950s to over 90% in the 2000s. For men and women, first vaginal sex before age 16 years was significantly associated with a greater number of lifetime and recent sexual partners, and a greater likelihood of having had a sexually transmitted infection. Conclusion: Given the earlier age at first vaginal intercourse, sex education should begin earlier so that all young people have information about contraception and disease prevention before they begin their sexual careers.

Experiences of sexual coercion in a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background It is important to have current reliable estimates of the prevalence, correlates and consequences of sexual coercion among a representative sample of Australian adults and to identify changes over time in prevalence and consequences. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 Australian men and women aged 16–69 years. The participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Sexual coercion (i.e. being forced or frightened into sexual activity) was reported by 4.2% of men and 22.4% of women. Sexual coercion when aged ≤16 years was reported by 2.0% of men and 11.5% of women. Correlates of sexual coercion were similar for men and women. Those who had been coerced reported greater psychosocial distress, were more likely to smoke, were more anxious about sex and more likely to have acquired a sexually transmissible infection. Few people had talked to others about their experiences of sexual coercion and fewer had talked to a professional. There were no significant differences between the First and Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships in whether men or women had experienced coercion, talked to anyone about this or talked to a counsellor or psychologist. Conclusion: Sexual coercion has detrimental effects on various aspects of people’s lives. It usually occurs at the ages at which people become sexually active. There is a need to reduce the incidence of sexual coercion, better identify experiences of sexual coercion, and provide accessible services to minimise the detrimental effects of sexual coercion.

Homosexual experience and recent homosexual encounters: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Wendy Heywood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background The aim of this study is to describe homosexual experience and characteristics of recent homosexual encounters among Australian adults and identify changes between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years and the participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents indicated the number of same-sex partners they had had in their lifetime and in the last 12 months. Those who reported any homosexual experience were asked the age at which this first occurred and about characteristics of the first and most recent homosexual encounter. Results: Reporting ever having same-sex experience was more common in women (13.5%) than in men (6.5%, P < 0.001). Among these people, men reported more lifetime and recent same-sex partners than women (P < 0.001). Same-sex experience was associated with some but not all indices of higher socioeconomic status. In men, it was associated with living in a major city (P = 0.02) and in women, it was associated with younger (<30 years) age and with very low income (P < 0.001). Men were younger than women at their first homosexual encounter (P = 0.005). Women were more likely than men to have their first same-sex encounter with a regular partner. For women but not men, there was a significant increase in the proportion reporting same-sex experience since 2001–02. Conclusion: Same-sex experience is not uncommon and is increasing in prevalence in young Australian women. The high number of same-sex partners among homosexual and bisexual men places them at greater risk of sexually transmissible infection.

Knowledge about and experience of sexually transmissible infections in a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
History Of

Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) present a substantial public health burden, and are related to modifiable sexual behaviours. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a population-representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents were asked questions regarding their knowledge about, self-reported history of, and testing for STIs. Results: STI knowledge was better in women, the young, people of higher socioeconomic status, those with a variety of indicators of being at high STI risk and those with a history of receiving sex education in school. Approximately one in six men and women reported a lifetime history of an STI. A history of STI testing in the last year was reported by ~one in six (17%) women and one in eight men (13%) and higher rates of testing in women were reported in most high-risk groups. The highest rates of STI testing (61%) and HIV testing (89%) were reported in homosexual men. Conclusion: Knowledge of STI-related health consequences and transmission is improving in Australians, and rates of STI testing were relatively high but were higher in women than in men. Further increases in testing rates in both sexes will be required to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of STIs, which is a cornerstone of STI control.

Characteristics of heterosexual regular relationships among a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Contraception Use

Background The aim of this study was to describe important characteristics of Australian adults’ heterosexual regular sexual relationships and examine how these characteristics have changed since 2002. Methods: Computer-assisted landline and mobile telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 Australian residents aged 16–69 years. The participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Data were collected on respondents’ social and demographic characteristics, relationship status and duration, cohabitation status, partner’s age, contraception use, expectations about sexual exclusivity, sexual partners in the previous year, actual and ideal frequencies of sex and levels of physical pleasure and emotional satisfaction in their relationships. Results: Most sexually active respondents 89%; 74% of all respondents, were in a heterosexual regular relationship. Most (97%) expected sexual exclusivity in their relationships, with 3% reporting extradyadic sex in the previous year. Respondents reported an average frequency of sex of 1.44 times per week, with most reporting very high levels of physical pleasure (men, 88%; women, 76%) and emotional satisfaction (men, 86%; women, 84%) in their relationships. Comparisons with data from the First Australian Study of Health and Relationships revealed that significantly more sexually active men were in a relationship in the current survey; that respondents’ average frequency of sex was significantly lower; and that women’s reports of extreme emotional satisfaction had risen. Otherwise, results were consistent with those of the first study. Conclusions: In general, results suggested that the characteristics of Australians’ heterosexual relationships changed little between 2002 and 2013. Despite a decline in respondents’ average weekly frequency of sex, the majority of respondents reported being in a highly satisfying, sexually exclusive relationship.

Attitudes toward sex and relationships: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Judy M. Simpson ◽  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Social Sanctions ◽  
Attitudes Toward Sex ◽  
Bisexual Identity ◽  
Being Religious

Background Attitudes towards sex and relationships influence laws about what is and is not permissible and social sanctions against behaviours considered unacceptable. They are an important focus for research given their links to sexual behaviour. The aim of the present study was to describe attitudes towards sex and relationships, to identify correlates of scores on a scale of sexual liberalism and to examine responses to jealousy-evoking scenarios among Australian adults. Methods: Computer-assisted landline and mobile telephone interviews were completed by a population-representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents expressed their agreement with 11 attitude statements, five of which formed a valid scale of liberalism, and also responded to a jealousy-evoking scenario. Results: There was general agreement that premarital sex was acceptable (87%), that sex was important for wellbeing (83%) and that sex outside a committed relationship was unacceptable (83%). Respondents were accepting of homosexual behaviour and abortion and few believed that sex education encouraged earlier sexual activity. More liberal attitudes were associated with: being female; speaking English at home; homosexual or bisexual identity; not being religious; greater education; and higher incomes. Respondents who expressed more liberal attitudes had more diverse patterns of sexual experience. Predicted sex differences were found in response to the jealousy-evoking scenario — men were more jealous of a partner having sex with someone else and women were more jealous of a partner forming an emotional attachment — but responses varied with age. Conclusion: Sexual attitudes of Australians largely support a permissive but monogamous paradigm. Since 2002, there has been a shift to less tolerance of sex outside a committed relationship, but greater acceptance of homosexual behaviour.

Design and methods of the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Judy M. Simpson ◽  
David Shellard ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Australian Population ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
High Participation ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
Almost All

Background This paper describes the methods and process of the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships. Methods: A representative sample of the Australian population was contacted by landline and mobile phone modified random-digit dialling in 2012–13. Computer-assisted telephone interviews elicited sociodemographic and health details as well as sexual behaviour and attitudes. For analysis, the sample was weighted to reflect the study design and further weighted to reflect the location, age and sex distribution of the population at the 2011 Census. Results: Interviews were completed with 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2% (63.9% for landline men, 67.9% for landline women and 66.5% for mobile respondents). Accounting for the survey design and adjusting to match the 2011 Census resulted in a weighted sample of 20 094 people (10 056 men and 10 038 women). The sample was broadly representative of the Australian population, although as in most surveys, people with higher education and higher status occupations were over-represented. Data quality was high, with the great majority saying they were not at all or only slightly embarrassed by the questionnaire and almost all saying they were 90–100% honest in their answers. Conclusions: The combination of methods and design in the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships, together with the high participation rate, strongly suggests that the results of the study are robust and broadly representative of the Australian population.

scholarly journals Evolutionary and Social Cognitive Models of Jealousy: A Test in a Population-Representative Sample of Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-120
Author(s):  
R. De Visser ◽  
◽  
J. Richters ◽  
C. E. Rissel ◽  
A. E. Grulich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Models ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Evolutionary Models ◽  
Sexual Infidelity ◽  
Emotional Infidelity ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Scenario Design ◽  
Social Cognitive Models

Objective: Evolutionary models posit that jealousy is a sexually dimorphic phenomenon: men worry most about a partner’s sexual infidelity and women worry most about emotional infidelity. Social cognitive models emphasize that the presence and size of sex differences varies between and within cultures. Our aim was to examine how sex and other variables affected responses to a hypothetical jealousyevoking scenario. Design and Method: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a population-representative sample of 20,094 Australians aged 16-69. Analyses focused on responses to the question ‘What would distress you more: imagining your partner forming a deep emotional attachment to another person, or having sexual intercourse with another person?’ Results: Among heterosexual respondents, men were most likely to report that they would be most distressed by their partner’s sexual infidelity, and women were also most likely to report that they would be most distressed by their partner’s emotional infidelity, but only among women aged 20-49 did a majority report that emotional infidelity would be most distressing. Among bisexual and homosexual respondents, most women and men reported that they would be more distressed by emotional infidelity, and men were more likely than women to choose this option. Among all groups, responses were also significantly related to sexually liberal attitudes. Conclusions: The results provide some support for evolutionary models of jealousy, but highlight the importance of considering how responses to jealousy-evoking scenarios are affected by age, sexuality, and attitudes.

Safer sex and condom use: findings from the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Barrier Methods ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Vaginal Sex ◽  
Bisexual Identity

Background It is important to have current and reliable estimates of the frequency and correlates of condom use among Australian adults. Methods: A representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years, from all states and territories, completed computer-assisted telephone interviews. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Although most respondents had used a condom at some time in their lives, fewer than half of those who were sexually active in the year before being interviewed had used a condom in that year. Condom use in the last year was associated with youth, speaking a language other than English at home, bisexual identity, greater education, residence in major cities, lower income and having multiple sexual partners in the last year. One-quarter of respondents used a condom the last time they had vaginal intercourse and one-sixth of these were put on after genital contact. Condom use during most recent vaginal sex was associated with youth, lower income, having sex with a non-regular partner and not using another form of contraception. Condom use appears to have increased between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Conclusion: Consistent with other research, this study showed that condom use was strongly associated with partner type and use of other contraception. There may be a need to highlight among people with multiple sexual partners the fact that non-barrier methods of contraception do not offer protection against sexually transmissible infections. The finding that many condoms were applied after genital contact suggests a need to promote both use and correct use of condoms.

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