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Exploring Intersectional Variations in Sexual Pleasure, Sexual Autonomy, and Important Correlates

Author

Listed:
  • Violeta Alarcão

    (Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
    Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Pedro Candeias

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
    Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Patrícia M. Pascoal

    (Centro de Investigação em Ciência Psicológica, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013 Lisboa, Portugal
    Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Research suggests that pressure to meet gender norms can limit social behaviors and ultimately promote poor health outcomes, such as disparities in decreased sexual pleasure, which are considered a central component of human rights and well-being. Previous studies have shown that sexual pleasure and sexual autonomy are gender-related, but little is known about these indicators in diverse populations. This study used data from a probabilistic sample of Cape Verdean immigrant (n = 127) and Portuguese native (n = 133) women and men who were in an intimate relationship enrolled in the FEMINA (Fertility, Migration and Acculturation) project to explore intersectional variations in sexual pleasure, sexual satisfaction, and distress considering their interplay with sexual autonomy and social representations regarding sexuality. For all participants and especially among men, sex is a very important part of life. Sexual autonomy was positively associated with sexual pleasure among Cape Verdean and Portuguese women and Portuguese men. Sexual distress was negatively associated with sexual pleasure among women, especially Cape Verdean women who reported higher sexual distress. This small-scale study is an example of an intersectional approach to sexual health and rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Violeta Alarcão & Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska & Pedro Candeias & Patrícia M. Pascoal, 2022. "Exploring Intersectional Variations in Sexual Pleasure, Sexual Autonomy, and Important Correlates," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:11:p:496-:d:953511
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