Using sexual life history interviews and coital diaries to understand young adults' sexual decision making

Author / Creator

Cheney, Ann M., author

Available as

Online

Summary

This case study describes the process of conducting research on the social and cultural factors that shape young adults' sexual and romantic partnerships, sexual decision making, and perceptions of...

This case study describes the process of conducting research on the social and cultural factors that shape young adults' sexual and romantic partnerships, sexual decision making, and perceptions of sexual risk. The research was conducted among a predominantly White, middle-class sample of students attending a 4-year university in the northeastern region of the United States. We discuss the impetus for the research and describe the process and procedures of collecting and analyzing sexual health data. By drawing on diverse data sources, including self-report demographic surveys, focus-group discussions, sexual life history interviews, and coital diaries, we triangulated the data to provide a rich, contextualized understanding of the structural, social, and cultural factors that shape sexual and romantic partnerships and patterns of communication and negotiation surrounding sexual behavior and sexual risk prevention. We discuss the challenges and successes of conducting sex research from collecting data to analyzing and interpreting data to publishing data.

Show More