Anticipated Influences on Sexual Decision-Making for First Intercourse

The purpose of this study was to establish the basic underlying factors that virgins perceive as influences in the decision to have 1st sexual intercourse. An inventory of potential influences was administered to 195 college students 52 males and 139 females with a mean age of 19.6 years. Factor analysis derived 3 interpretable factors: 1) physical arousal experienced at different stages during the date prior to intercourse; 2) relationship--the degree of positive affect and commitment at the time of sexual intercourse; 3) circumstances including preplanning and arousal prior to the date. The quality of the relationship is seen as more important for those participants who foresee 1st coitus occurring while seriously dating at engagement or at marriage. Physical arousal and circumstances play a larger role for those who foresee 1st coitus while casually dating. Relationship factors were rated as significantly more important by females than by males. No gender difference was found on the anticipated influence of physical arousal. This may reflect a growing trend of equality in sexual fulfillment in our society.