Diverse Sexual Behaviors in Undergraduate Students: Findings From a Campus Probability Survey
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional probability survey (observational study without control group)
OpenAlex W3160641103 · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.03.006
What was done
A confidential, online cross-sectional survey was administered to a random sample of 4,989 undergraduate students at a large U.S. university to evaluate the frequency and recency of solo, partnered, and rough sex behaviors, as well as consent dynamics regarding choking and face slapping.
What was found
The most prevalent general sexual behaviors reported were solo masturbation (88.6%), receiving oral sex (79.4%), performing oral sex (78.4%), penile-vaginal intercourse (73.5%), and partnered masturbation (71.1%). Anal intercourse was reported by 16.8% for receiving and 25.3% for performing. Among participants with partnered sexual experience, 59.1% had been lightly spanked, 47.3% had been choked, 43.0% had choked a partner, and 12.1% had been slapped on the face during sex.
Why it matters
These findings highlight the high prevalence of rough sex behaviors like choking among undergraduate students, underscoring the need for college health clinicians and educators to discuss physical risks and consent beyond standard STI and pregnancy counseling.
Limits
The study was conducted at a single university using self-reported cross-sectional data. It did not assess whether sexual experiences were wanted, pleasurable, or appealing, and consent was examined only for choking and face slapping rather than all behaviors.
Cited by
- supports Survey data shows that roughly 60% of college-aged women and 20% of college-aged men have been choked during sex, and 20% of those choked have experienced it 25 or more times.