Abstract
Background. Recent review studies have shown that pleasure-inclusive sex education can contribute to sexual health by reducing risks on unwanted pregnancy and STIs. Less research has been dedicated to the impact of pleasure-inclusive CSE on other sexual health outcomes, such as pleasurable sex later in life and the prevention of sexual violence. It is often assumed that learning to say ‘yes’ to sexual pleasure helps young people to say ‘no’ to sexual violence. However, it is unclear whether this mechanism can be supported by existing evidence.
Methods. In this systematic review, we review available evidence on relationships between pleasure-inclusive CSE, sexual autonomy or related variables (e.g., sexual agency, sexual self-efficacy) and positive and negative sexual experiences as outcome measures. We searched in 5 databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science) for literature of the last 2 decades on pleasure-inclusive CSE, autonomy or related concepts, and various sexual wellbeing outcomes. After screening over 15,000 records, we selected 62 out of 288 full-texts, and finally included 42 records in the review.
Results. Preliminary findings are divided in two categories: (1) evaluation studies on the effects of CSE on sexual autonomy and sexual wellbeing, and (2) studies with sexual autonomy as the independent variable and positive and negative sexual experiences as outcome measures. First, the evaluation studies (mostly pre-and post-intervention comparisons) showed that sexual autonomy was higher after pleasure-inclusive CSE, but no causal relationships could be inferred from these studies. Second, the studies examining associations between autonomy-like variables and sexual wellbeing showed that sexual autonomy was strongly related to experiencing pleasurable sex, satisfaction, and positive sexual emotions, and that it also explained prevention of sexual revictimization. The majority of studies was cross-sectional, six were longitudinal studies.
Conclusions. The evidence shows positive associations between pleasure-inclusive CSE and sexual wellbeing, but there is not enough empirical evidence to support the causal claim that pleasure-inclusive CSE, let alone the specific pleasure component of CSE, increases sexual autonomy or improves sexual wellbeing. However, there is some strong evidence suggesting a causal relationship between sexual autonomy and positive sexual experiences. There is a great need for high quality research, using (quasi-) experimental controlled designs and longitudinal designs, to further elucidate whether pleasure-inclusive CSE not only contributes to sexual health variables like condom use, but also to sexual wellbeing and the prevention of sexual violence.
Key words: Sexual pleasure; CSE; sexual autonomy; sexual self-efficacy; sexual self-esteem; sexual assertiveness; sexual violence.
Funding sources: The scoping review was an assignment of Seksueel Welzijn Nederland (Prof. Dr. Ellen Laan) which was commissioned and partly funded by Rutgers Expertise Center on Sexuality.
Methods. In this systematic review, we review available evidence on relationships between pleasure-inclusive CSE, sexual autonomy or related variables (e.g., sexual agency, sexual self-efficacy) and positive and negative sexual experiences as outcome measures. We searched in 5 databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science) for literature of the last 2 decades on pleasure-inclusive CSE, autonomy or related concepts, and various sexual wellbeing outcomes. After screening over 15,000 records, we selected 62 out of 288 full-texts, and finally included 42 records in the review.
Results. Preliminary findings are divided in two categories: (1) evaluation studies on the effects of CSE on sexual autonomy and sexual wellbeing, and (2) studies with sexual autonomy as the independent variable and positive and negative sexual experiences as outcome measures. First, the evaluation studies (mostly pre-and post-intervention comparisons) showed that sexual autonomy was higher after pleasure-inclusive CSE, but no causal relationships could be inferred from these studies. Second, the studies examining associations between autonomy-like variables and sexual wellbeing showed that sexual autonomy was strongly related to experiencing pleasurable sex, satisfaction, and positive sexual emotions, and that it also explained prevention of sexual revictimization. The majority of studies was cross-sectional, six were longitudinal studies.
Conclusions. The evidence shows positive associations between pleasure-inclusive CSE and sexual wellbeing, but there is not enough empirical evidence to support the causal claim that pleasure-inclusive CSE, let alone the specific pleasure component of CSE, increases sexual autonomy or improves sexual wellbeing. However, there is some strong evidence suggesting a causal relationship between sexual autonomy and positive sexual experiences. There is a great need for high quality research, using (quasi-) experimental controlled designs and longitudinal designs, to further elucidate whether pleasure-inclusive CSE not only contributes to sexual health variables like condom use, but also to sexual wellbeing and the prevention of sexual violence.
Key words: Sexual pleasure; CSE; sexual autonomy; sexual self-efficacy; sexual self-esteem; sexual assertiveness; sexual violence.
Funding sources: The scoping review was an assignment of Seksueel Welzijn Nederland (Prof. Dr. Ellen Laan) which was commissioned and partly funded by Rutgers Expertise Center on Sexuality.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 50 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Event | 48th annual meeting of the International Academy of Sex Research - Reykjavik, Iceland Duration: 6 Jul 2022 → 9 Jul 2022 Conference number: 48 |
Conference
| Conference | 48th annual meeting of the International Academy of Sex Research |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IASR annual meeting |
| Country/Territory | Iceland |
| City | Reykjavik |
| Period | 6/07/22 → 9/07/22 |