title: Exploring First Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Orientation, and Sexual Health in Men.
abstract: In this study the characteristics of the sexual debut of men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with women (MSW) age 35 or younger (N = 1,201) were compared with one another. We investigated whether these characteristics were associated with sexual health and behavior, and to what extent. Compared to MSW, MSM tended to be older when they had their first sexual intercourse; their first sex partner was older, they felt less ready, and they experienced more pain. We also found that they reported a higher number of lifetime sexual partners and less condom use compared to MSW. Similarities were also ascertained, such as the fact that individuals from both groups do not differ significantly regarding how they experienced their first sexual intercourse emotionally. Many differences between these groups should not always be seen as problematic, whereas others still indicate a need for targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewaele
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology , Research team CuDOS, Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Houtte
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology , Research team CuDOS, Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Symons
authors.affiliation: c Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buysse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners
keywords: First sexual intercourse; sexual health; sexual orientation; sexual risks