Correlates of satisfaction with sexual initiation among mexican adolescents

Abstract

Context: Having one's first sexual intercourse be a positive and satisfying experience may be critical to healthy sexual development. Few studies, however, have examined adolescents' sexual satisfaction and the factors associated with enhancing or diminishing it, especially in Mexico. Methods: Data from 4,504 heterosexual, sexually experienced 15-20-year-olds living in three Mexican states (Morelos, Jalisco and Puebla) were taken from the 2014 Survey on Dating, Empowerment, and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Adolescent High School Students. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction with one's first experience of sexual intercourse, separately by gender. Results: Most adolescents reported feeling generally satisfied with their first sexual intercourse (51% very satisfied and 40% satisfied); the proportion feeling very satisfied was significantly higher among young men than among young women (58% vs. 42%). Among both young men and women, feeling very satisfied (rather than satisfied) with first sex was positively associated with greater approval of adolescent sex (relative risk ratios, 1.06 each), as well as with higher self-esteem (1.04 and 1.03, respectively). Other variables positively associated with feeling very satisfied included having had first sex with a boyfriend or girlfriend, having had first sex less than three months prior to the survey, high socioeconomic status (for males only) and older age (for females only). Conclusions: Self-esteem and having a positive view of adolescent sexuality may play an important role in the experience of satisfying first sex among Mexican adolescents. These should be pivotal elements of educational programs aimed at helping adolescents develop a positive sexuality and feel entitled to and in control of their sexual lives.