Assessing the Differences Between Same-Gender and Cross-Gender Friendships in Sexual Health Communication

Authors

Felicity Doddato, SUNY Cortland

Files

Faculty Mentor

Katherine Bonafide, Ph.D., Kaitlin Flannery, Ph.D.

Abstract

Researchers have long studied the connection between sexual health practices and sexual health communication. While current research has examined communication between same-gender friends, it is lacking between cross-gender friends. To test whether differences exist between same-gender and cross-gender friends in their frequency of communication and comfort discussing sexual health, 187 college-aged participants (Mage=20.10, SD=1.34; 49.2% female; 75% White) self-reported their experiences using a Qualtrics survey. Results from independent samples t-tests revealed that same-gender friends reported more frequent discussion of both non-sex-related issues (M=2.53, SD=.51) and sex-related issues (M=1.20, SD=.73) than cross-gender friends (M=2.30, SD=.50; M=.95, SD=.70 respectively), tnonsex(185)=-2.54, p=.012; tsex(185)=-1.98, p=.049. However, no significant differences were observed in the comfort levels between same-gender friends (M=5.46, SD=.54) and cross-gender friends (M=5.37, SD=.62) when discussing sexual health topics, t(178)=.871, p=.385. These findings illustrate the importance of understanding friendships in order to effectively promote sexual health behaviors among college populations.

Publication Date

5-2020

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Cross-gender friendships, sexual health communication

Disciplines

Psychology