Establishment of safety paradigms and trust in emerging adult relationships

Summary & key facts

This qualitative study interviewed 25 women aged 18–24 about when they felt comfortable having sex. Most women said trust mattered a lot. Many linked their ideas of trust to past bad relationships or experiences of sexual violence. They said emotional and physical safety became top priorities, and that trust grew through friendship, talking over time, and shared life events. The authors suggest these findings could inform public health efforts to support healthy sexual relationships and communication.

Key facts:

• The study interviewed 25 women between the ages of 18 and 24 using semi-structured interviews.
• Analysis was done using a critical qualitative research approach (an in-depth, interpretive method).
• Most participants reported that relationship trust influenced whether they felt comfortable having sexual intercourse with a partner.
• Many participants said their concept of trust was shaped by past bad relationships or experiences of sexual violence.
• Participants said emotional and physical security became priorities when developing relationships.
• Participants described trust as developing through friendship, ongoing communication, and shared life experiences.
• The authors state this research is among the first qualitative studies to investigate trust formation and impersonal dynamics related to sexual health decision-making.

Abstract

There is a critical need to understand the interplay between relationship trust and public health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of emerging adult women's processes of establishing trust in sexual relationships. Twenty-five women aged 18-24 years participated in …

Topics

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Attachment and Relationship Dynamics LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Categories

General Health Professions Health Professions Health Sciences

Tags

Action (physics) Demography Developmental psychology Feeling Friendship Gender studies Human sexuality Medicine Nursing Physics Population Psychology Public health Qualitative research Quantum mechanics Reproductive health Sexual intercourse Sexual relationship Social psychology Social science Sociology