Profiles of Sexual Double Standard Norms and Their Association with Sexual Pleasure in the Context of Sexual Intercourse among Dutch Adolescents: A Person-Centered Approach

Abstract

Amidst the predominantly risk-focused narrative of adolescent sexual health, sexual pleasure is often overlooked. This study examined the association between adolescents’ experienced sexual pleasure and profiles of sexual double standard (SDS) norms, which prescribe divergent expectations of sexuality based on gender. The sample consisted of 209 Dutch adolescents aged 16–20 years (57% female) who have had sexual intercourse. A survey assessed adolescents’ endorsement of SDS norms and perceived SDS norms of parents, peers, and the media, as well as adolescents’ experienced sexual pleasure. Latent profile analysis identified four distinct profiles. Profile 1 involved adolescents who held traditional personal views (e.g., seeing men as sexually dominant, women as sexually passive), but perceived less traditional external norms. Profile 2 included adolescents with egalitarian personal views (e.g., expecting similar sexual behaviors of men and women) and perceptions of less traditional external norms. Adolescents in Profile 3 had traditional personal views and perceived more traditional external messages. Adolescents in Profile 4 had egalitarian personal views coexisting with perceptions of less traditional peer and parent norms, but more traditional media norms. These profiles differed significantly in reported sexual pleasure by adolescents, with the highest levels of sexual pleasure observed in Profiles 2 and 3 and the lowest in Profile 1. Adolescent gender did not significantly moderate these relationships, indicating similar relations between SDS norms and sexual pleasure across genders. The findings underscore the complex interplay between personal norms and perceived social norms about sexuality, emphasizing the need for tailored educational strategies that effectively support adolescents in navigating differing social norms about sexuality during their sexual development.