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Chapter 12 - Sexual Behaviour and Gender Identity in Universities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2024

Jane Morris
Jane Morris
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
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Summary

UK university life lends itself to experimentation in sexual behaviour, orientation and gender identity. The experience of sexual liberation can affect trust and communication with students’ culture and family of origin. Casual sexual encounters (‘hooking up’) are common at first. Those who settle into more monogamous ‘dating’ enjoy better mental health. Mental illness is associated with less healthy sexual experiences. The sexual dimension of life is important to the student age group and should be considered in assessment and treatment. Despite the relatively tolerant environment, university LGBTQ+ communities are at higher risk of mental illness. Students with ASD may also need extra support to negotiate sexual development. Some students have previous sexual trauma, which may still be unaddressed. Some school sex education protects students from gender-based violence throughout university, but classes are often delivered without awareness of pupils’ ethical and relational concerns. Social media provides influential, but often misleading sex education. High reliance on online dating is associated with poorer levels of mental health. Excessive alcohol and drug consumption are strongly associated with both perpetrating gender-based violence and becoming a victim.

Keywords

University mental health transition to university ;Student mental healthuniversity sexual behavioursexual violence in universitiessexual violence and drug usestudent alcohol usesexual violence and alcoholstudent gender identity LGBTQIA+ mental healthstudent suicidestudent sex workersuniversity counselling
Type
Chapter
Information
Improving University Mental Health , pp. 178 - 196
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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