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COMMENT AND RESPONSE

Condom use in the context of sex research: a commentary

Cynthia A. Graham
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

B The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.

C Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.

D Email: C.A.Graham@soton.ac.uk

Sexual Health 9(1) 103-108 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH11103
Submitted: 26 July 2011  Accepted: 21 October 2011   Published: 9 January 2012

Abstract

This commentary highlights some recent trends in sex research that have particular relevance for research on condom use, including studies investigating the meaning of sexual arousal, desire and pleasure; a focus on couple-level investigations; and the relevance of individual differences and personality characteristics to sexual risk-taking. Although historically, sexuality-related issues have received little systematic attention in the field of public health, researchers are now paying more attention to the role of pleasure and sexual arousal in condom use. It is argued that a better integration of findings from the area of sex research into the HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) field is needed to develop and improve programs to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy.

Additional keywords: arousal, couple-level investigation, dual control model, risk, safer sex, sexual behaviour.


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