Conductas sexuales de riesgo, sexismo y prejuicios hacia la diversidad sexual en estudiantes de educación superioranálisis de variables relacionadas y validación de instrumentos de evaluación en inglés y español

Abstract

The present research on human sexuality brings together a set of studies focused on measuring sexuality in future professionals from different disciplinary branches of knowledge. The analysis and inquiry of attitudes and behaviours towards sexuality is becoming one of the most important educational objectives worldwide for the improvement of health and the reduction of sexual prejudices. The main aim of the research is to examine the sexuality competencies of Higher Education students before their transition to professional practice, comparing risky sexual behaviours and attitudes towards sexual openness, sexual education, safe sex, sexism and sexual minorities. Previously to these studies, the concept of global health was evaluated, and the sexual behaviours and predispositions were described quantitatively in students of educational and health training cycles and in incoming and outgoing nursing undergraduates. Studies were also carried out with qualitative approaches to these constructs in professionals mainly from the health and education sectors, which addressed issues related to the sexual diversities and risky sexual conducts. The largest sample with which the quantitative analyses were carried out for the validation of scales was made up of 1613 participants, of which 1048 resided in Spain with an age range of 18 to 65 years (M =25.12, SD =7.38) and 565 they resided in the United Kingdom, with a range of 18 to 52 years (M = 21.70, SD = 4.28). These participants completed a survey comprising six standardized scales (HPSC, DSS, SOS, HATH, EANT, and TIBS). British university students showed less sexual adherence by gender and Spanish students more positive attitudes towards sexual minorities and pleasure. In addition to these findings, the global results obtained from the compendium of studies indicated that students perform a greater number of risky sexual behaviours, have fewer adherences to the sexual double standard and more positive attitudes towards sexual pleasure, homosexual orientation and trans people than the results of previous studies. Nevertheless, significant differences were found in sexual behaviours and attitudes based on gender, age, religiosity and university course that highlight the importance and influence of sociocultural norms, that is, the legislation and education of each of these countries. On the other hand, it was conducted the validation of two scales in Spanish that assess risky sexual behaviours (HPSC) and inclusive behaviours towards trans and nonbinary people (TIBS) and another scale in English of negative attitudes towards trans people (EANT). These studies help to measure the behavioural and attitudinal trends that reveal the main risk behaviours and prejudices that are implicit in our society. To conclude, this research contributes to the knowledge of the factors related to negative sexual behaviours and attitudes, exposing the lack of sexual training that does not allow professionals to address it in a qualified way. These findings support the development and implementation of public health strategies to address the prevention and intervention of these conducts and the reduction of negative predispositions towards sexuality.