Skip to main content

Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey

Archives of Sexual Behavior volume 37, pages 266–278 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

A stratified probability sample survey of the British general population, aged 16 to 44 years, was conducted from 1999 to 2001 (N = 11,161) using face-to-face interviewing and computer-assisted self-interviewing. We used these data to estimate the population prevalence of masturbation, and to identify sociodemographic, sexual behavioral, and attitudinal factors associated with reporting this behavior. Seventy-three percent of men and 36.8% of women reported masturbating in the 4 weeks prior to interview (95% confidence interval 71.5%–74.4% and 35.4%–38.2%, respectively). A number of sociodemographic and behavioral factors were associated with reporting masturbation. Among both men and women, reporting masturbation increased with higher levels of education and social class and was more common among those reporting sexual function problems. For women, masturbation was more likely among those who reported more frequent vaginal sex in the last four weeks, a greater repertoire of sexual activity (such as reporting oral and anal sex), and more sexual partners in the last year. In contrast, the prevalence of masturbation was lower among men reporting more frequent vaginal sex. Both men and women reporting same-sex partner(s) were significantly more likely to report masturbation. Masturbation is a common sexual practice with significant variations in reporting between men and women.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (Canada)

References

  • Barbey, M. A. (1991). Switzerland's videotext computer sex education programme. Planned Parenthood in Europe, 20, 22–23.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F. (2000). Gender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive. Psychological Bulletin, 126, 347–374.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5, 242–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Béjin, A. (1996). Female masturbation in France: Estimation and analysis of an under-reported practice. In M. Bozon & H. Leridon (Eds), Sexuality and the social sciences: A French survey on sexual behaviour (pp. 253–264). Dartmouth: Aldershot.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullough, V. L. (2002). Masturbation: A historical overview. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 17--33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardamakis, E., Vinakos, G., Lambou, T., & Papathanasiou, Z. (1993). Comments by the “Information by Phone” department of the Sex Medical Institute on the telephone calls related to sexuality and contraception. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 52, 125–129.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, E. (2002). Masturbation as a means of achieving sexual health. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 5–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Copas, A. J., Wellings, K., Erens, B., Mercer, C. H., McManus, S., Fenton, K. A., et al. (2002). The accuracy of reported sensitive sexual behaviour in Britain: Exploring the extent of change 1990-2000. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 78, 26–30.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darby, R. (2003). The masturbation taboo and the rise of routine male circumcision: A review of the historiography. Journal of Social History, 36, 737–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker, A., & Schmidt G. (2002). Patterns of masturbatory behaviour: Changes between the sixties and the nineties. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 35–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Editorial. (1994). The politics of masturbation. Lancet, 344, 1714-1715.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, B. J., & Symons, D. (1990). Sex differences in sexual fantasy: An evolutionary psychological approach. Journal of Sex Research, 27, 527–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erens, B., McManus, S., Field, J., Korovessis, C., Johnson, A. M., Fenton, K. A., et al. (2001). National survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles II: Technical report. London: National Centre for Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenton, K. A., Mercer, C. H., McManus, S., Erens, B., Wellings, K., Macdowall, W., et al. (2005). Ethnic variations in sexual behaviour in Great Britain and risk of sexually transmitted infections: A probability survey. Lancet, 365, 1246–1255.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heiman, D. R., & LoPiccolo, J. (1988). Becoming orgasmic: A sexual and personal growth program for women. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyde, J. S. (2005). The gender similarities hypothesis. American Psychologist, 60, 581–592.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Office for East, South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR). (1996). Teenagers’ concerns about sex. People and Development Challenges, 3, 11–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. M., Copas, A. J., Erens, B., Mandalia, S., Fenton, K., Korovessis, C., et al. (2001). Effect of computer-assisted self-interviews on reporting of sexual HIV risk behaviours in a general population sample: A methodological experiment. AIDS, 15, 111–115.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. M., Mercer, C. H., Erens, B., Copas, A. J., McManus, S., Wellings, K., et al. (2001). Sexual behaviour in Britain: Partnerships, practices, and HIV risk behaviours. Lancet, 358, 1835–1842.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. M., Wadsworth, J., Wellings, K., Bradshaw, S., & Field, J. (1992). Sexual lifestyles and HIV risk. Nature, 360, 410–412.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. M., Wadsworth, J., Wellings, K., & Field, J. (1994). Sexual attitudes and lifestyles. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1948). Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1953). Sexual behavior in the human female. Philadelphia: Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura, K. (1990). Communicating with adolescents. Telephone counselling and adolescent health clinic services of the Japan Family Planning Association. Integration 25, 40–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kontula, O., & Haavio-Mannila, E. (2002). Masturbation in a generational perspective. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 49–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuriansky, J. (1996). Sexuality advice on the radio: An overview in the United States and around the world. SIECUS Report, 24, 6–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laqueur, T. W. (2003). Solitary sex: A cultural history of masturbation. New York: Zone Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leitenberg, H., & Henning, K. (1995). Sexual fantasy. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 469–496.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lynn P., & Clarke P. (2002). Separating refusal bias and non-contact bias: Evidence from UK national surveys. The Statistician, 51, 319–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, C. H., Fenton, K. A., Johnson, A. M., Copas, A. J., Wellings, K., Macdowall, W., et al. (2003). Sexual function problems and help seeking behaviour in Britain: National probability sample survey. British Medical Journal, 327, 426–427.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, M. B., & Hyde, J. S. (1993). Gender differences in sexuality: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 114, 29–51.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinkerton, S. D., Bogart, L. M., Cecil, H., & Abramson, P. R. (2002). Factors associated with masturbation in a collegiate sample. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, B. E., Bockting, W. O., & Harrell, T. (2002). Masturbation and sexual health: An exploratory study of low income African American women. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 85–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Royal College of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners. (1995). Alcohol and the heart in perspective: Sensible limits reaffirmed. London: Royal College of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, L. A., Faulkner, A., & Keegan, J. (1988). Talking about sex. London: Social and Community Planning Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spira, A., Bajos, N., & ACSF Group. (1994). Sexual behaviour and AIDS. Aldershot: Avebury.

  • Wellings, K., Nanchahal, K., Macdowall, W., McManus, S., Erens, B., Mercer, C. H., et al. (2001). Sexual behaviour in Britain: Early heterosexual experience. Lancet, 358, 1843–1850.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamboni, B. D., & Crawford, I. (2002). Using masturbation in sex therapy: Relationships between masturbation, sexual desire, and sexual fantasy. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 14, 123–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the study participants and the team of interviewers, operations, and computing staff from the National Centre for Social Research. The 2000 National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000) was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council with funds from the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. The views expressed in this paper are the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding bodies.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University College London, Mortimer Market Centre, off Capper Street, London, England

    Makeda Gerressu, Catherine H. Mercer & Anne M. Johnson

  2. Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, England

    Cynthia A. Graham

  3. Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England

    Kaye Wellings

  4. Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University College London, Mortimer Market Centre, off Capper Street, London, WC1E 6JB, England

    Makeda Gerressu

Authors
  1. Makeda Gerressu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Catherine H. Mercer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cynthia A. Graham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kaye Wellings
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anne M. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Makeda Gerressu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gerressu, M., Mercer, C.H., Graham, C.A. et al. Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey. Arch Sex Behav 37, 266–278 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-006-9123-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-006-9123-6

Keywords

  • Masturbation
  • Sexual behavior
  • Sex survey
  • Gender differences