Examining substance-involved sexual experiences and consent communication by sexual identity

Marcantonio, T. L. and Willis, M. (2023) Examining substance-involved sexual experiences and consent communication by sexual identity. Psychology and Sexuality, 14(1), pp. 279-293. (doi: 10.1080/19419899.2022.2106884)

Abstract

Substance use can occur prior to nonconsensual and consensual sexual activity and affect how sexual consent is communicated and felt. Yet, researchers’ understanding of how substance use relates to these sexual experiences is still developing. Few researchers examine these behaviors among the intersection of sexual minority (SM) identity and gender. The goal of this study was to assess if experiences of nonconsensual and consensual substance-involved sexual activity, consent communication and feelings varied by the intersection of SM identity and identifying as a woman. Participants were recruited from a Prolific Academic panel to complete a survey about their substance use, sexual experiences, and sexual consent. SM persons and SM women reported more nonconsensual and consensual substance involved sexual experiences than heterosexual participants and SM men. Consent communication and feelings did not differ by across groups. Prevention initiatives for substance use and sexual activity may want to take an intersectional approach that addresses why different subgroups are at elevated risk to coalesce these two behaviors. Because consent feelings and communication did not differ by SM identity and gender, consent initiatives should expand their discussion to be inclusive of SM as these initiatives are often presented within a heteronormative framework.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Willis, Dr Malachi
• Authors: Marcantonio, T. L., and Willis, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Psychology and Sexuality
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1941-9899
• ISSN (Online): 1941-9902
• Published Online: 08 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Psychology and Sexuality 14(1): 279-293
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License