Healthful sexual interactions: "Masculinity" and "femininity" as constraints

The relationship between sex role orientation and healthful sexual interactions was explored. Gender schema theory was used as the conceptual framework and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) was used to determine subjects' sex role orientation. The Healthful Sexual Interactions Survey was developed by the author and used to measure subjects' sexual satisfaction and responsibility. Data were collected from 114 male and 180 female university students who were between the ages of 18 and 32. The analysis of variance and the t-test showed that the differences between the sexes and among the sex role groups on sexual satisfaction were not statistically significant. However, an analysis of variance showed significant differences between the sexes and between the groups classified as masculine and feminine on attitudes and behaviors related to pregnancy prevention. An Eta Square demonstrated that a greater percentage of the variance (10%) was related to sex than to sex role orientation (6%). However, a definitive interpretation of the results was precluded because sex and sex-role orientation were confounded. The t-tests showed that males were significantly more sex-typed than females and that androgynous individuals were significantly more likely to confine their sexual interactions to mutually exclusive sexual relationships than those classified as masculine.