Abstract
College students represent a unique population in terms of reasons for engaging and not engaging in masturbation given that they may have more expansive ideas about masturbation while also (for some) being limited in experience engaging in masturbation. Survey data were collected from 531 college students at a Western university in the United States. Lifetime masturbation, masturbation frequency, reasons for engaging in masturbation (or not engaging in masturbation), and body satisfaction were examined. Results indicated that only women (n = 55; 12%) and one transgender/gender non-conforming student reported never engaging in masturbation. Eighteen reasons for engaging in masturbation were identified with women reporting more nuanced reasons for engaging in masturbation. The most cited reason for engaging in masturbation was for “pleasure.” Results indicated that citing pleasure as a reason for masturbation was associated with more frequency of masturbation for women (not for men). Seven reasons for not engaging in masturbation were identified (by women). Results also indicated significant differences in masturbation frequency between men and women. However, no differences were observed in body satisfaction between women that had ever masturbated and those that had not and there were no significant correlations between body satisfaction and masturbation frequency. Findings have implications of sexuality education among college students and sex research on masturbation behaviors.
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Leistner, C.E., Briggs, L., Lippmann, M. et al. Reasons for and for not Engaging in Masturbation Among College Students in the United States. Sexuality & Culture 28, 929–949 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10156-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10156-1