Masturbation, paying for sex, and other sexual activities: The Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Juliet Richters, Richard O. De Visser, Paul B. Badcock, Anthony M.A. Smith, Chris Rissel, Judy M. Simpson, Andrew E. Grulich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: This study describes the prevalence of (solo) masturbation, paying for sex and a range of other sexual practices among Australians. Methods: A representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16-69 years (participation rate among eligible people, 66.2%) were recruited by landline and mobile phone random-digit dialling and computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2012-13. Results: Many respondents (men, 72%; women, 42%) had masturbated in the past year. Half (51%) of the men and 24% of women had masturbated in the past 4 weeks. In the past year, more than two-fifths of respondents (men, 63%; women, 20%) had looked at pornography in any medium. Approximately 15% of men and 21% of women had used a sex toy. Digital-anal stimulation with a partner was practised by 19% of men and 15% of women, and oral-anal stimulation by 7% of men and 4% of women. Sexual role playing or dressing up were engaged in by 7-8%. Online sex, swinging, group sex, BDSM (bondage and discipline, 'sadomasochism' or dominance and submission) and fisting (rectal or vaginal) were each engaged in by less than 3% of the sample. Seventeen per cent of men said they had ever paid for sex; 2% had done so in the past year. Conclusion: Most of the solo practices studied were engaged in by more men than women, but women were more likely to have used a sex toy. Autoerotic activities are both substitutes for partnered sex and additional sources of pleasure for people with sexual partners.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)461-471
Number of pages11
JournalSexual Health
Volume11
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Nov 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anilingus
  • Brachioproctic eroticism
  • Dildo
  • Erotica
  • Fetishism (psychiatric)
  • Internet
  • Rimming
  • Sexual behaviour
  • Vibrator

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