The Association of Masturbation and Sexual Health Among Adolescent Men

Background: Masturbation has been established as the first and most common sexual behavior.  However, little is known about how engaging in masturbation is related to sexual health among adolescent men.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between masturbation and sexual health among a high-risk community sample of young adolescent men in Indianapolis, IN. The specific aspects of sexual health that were measured include: sexual anxiety, sexual compulsivity, beliefs about adolescents engaging in sexual activity, and condom attitudes.

Methods: The present data are derived from an on-going, longitudinal study of the male urethral microbiome, and sexual attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes among adolescent males (aged 14-17 at enrollment).  Currently, 55 participants have enrolled in the study.  Masturbation frequency was assessed through electronic daily diary questionnaires.  All sexual health indicators were obtained through quarterly in-person interviews.

Results: Forty-three participants reported ever masturbating across an average of 353 study days (SD=109 study days).  Among those who masturbated, a total of 3,157 masturbation events were endorsed (M=73.42, SD=113.33).  With regard to sexual health, adolescent men who engaged in a greater frequency of masturbation demonstrated higher levels of sexual anxiety (r = .41, p < .001) and held more positive attitudes about using condoms (r = .35, p < .05). Higher levels of masturbation was also related to more negative beliefs about adolescents engaging in sexual activity (r = -.34, p < .05).  No relationship was observed between masturbation and sexual compulsivity.

Conclusions: Higher levels of masturbation are associated with more sexual anxiety, more positive attitudes about using condoms, and more negative beliefs that adolescents should be engaging in sexual activity.  Sexual compulsivity and masturbation are not related.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: Interventions developed to increase condom use and reduce STI-acquisition may experience enhanced performance by encouraging low-risk sexual behaviors, such as masturbation, while promoting existing sexual health beliefs.