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What is Abstinence? Definitions and Examples of Abstinence, to Prevent the Sexual Transmission of the HIV Virus, According to Spanish University Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Montserrat Planes ,
Ana B. Gómez ,
Eugenia Gras ,
Mark J. Sullman ,
Sílvia Font-Mayolas ,
Mónica Cunill  and
Maria Aymerich
Montserrat Planes*
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain. [email protected]
Ana B. Gómez
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain.
Eugenia Gras
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain.
Mark J. Sullman
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Hertfordshire University, United Kingdom.
Sílvia Font-Mayolas
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain.
Mónica Cunill
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain.
Maria Aymerich
Affiliation:
Department of Psicology, University of Girona, Spain.
*
*Address for correspondence: Montserrat Planes, Department of Psychology, University of Girona, Emili Grahit, 77, 1707, Girona, Spain.
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Abstract

Research carried out in several Anglo-Saxon countries shows that many undergraduates identify oral sex and anal sex as examples of abstinent behaviour, while many others consider kissing and masturbation as examples of having sex. The objective of this research was to investigate whether a sample of Spanish students gave similar replies. Seven hundred and fifty undergraduates (92% aged under 26, 67.6% women) produced examples or definitions of the term ‘abstinence’. Spanish students made similar errors to those observed in the Anglo-Saxon samples, in that behaviours that were abstinent from a preventive point of view (masturbating and sex without penetration) were not considered as such, while a number of students reported oral sex as abstinent behaviour. The results suggest that the information on risky and preventive sexual behaviour should cease to use ambiguous or euphemistic expressions and use vocabulary that is clear and comprehensible to everyone.

Keywords

sexual abstinenceterminologyAIDS preventiongender differences
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , 01 September 2009 , pp. 168 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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