Sex differences in the flexibility of sexual orientation: a multidimensional retrospective assessment

Sex differences in the flexibility of sexual orientation: a multidimensional retrospective assessment

The flexibility of sexual orientation in men and women was examined by assessing self-reported change over time for three dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) across three categorical classifications of current sexual orientation (heterosexual,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of sexual behavior Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 173 - 183
Main Authors: Kinnish, Kelly K, Strassberg, Donald S, Turner, Charles W
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01-04-2005
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Bisexuality - psychology
Bisexuality - statistics & numerical data
Female
Gender differences
Gender Identity
Homosexuality, Female - psychology
Homosexuality, Female - statistics & numerical data
Homosexuality, Male - psychology
Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Self Concept
Self Disclosure
Sexual Partners - psychology
Sexuality
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
United States
United States
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Summary:The flexibility of sexual orientation in men and women was examined by assessing self-reported change over time for three dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) across three categorical classifications of current sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, and gay). The primary purpose of the study was to determine if there were sex differences in the flexibility (i.e., change over time) of sexual orientation and how such differences were manifested across different dimensions of orientation over the lifespan. Retrospective, life-long ratings of sexual orientation were made by 762 currently self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and gay men and women, aged 36 to 60, via a self-report questionnaire. Cumulative change scores were derived for each of the three dimensions (fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) of orientation by summing the differences between ratings over consecutive 5-year historical time periods (from age 16 to the present). Sex differences were observed for most, but not all, classification groups. There were significant sex differences in reported change in orientation over time for gays and heterosexuals, with women reporting greater change in orientation over time than did men. Bisexual men and women did not differ with respect to self-reported change in orientation.
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ISSN:0004-0002
1573-2800
DOI:10.1007/s10508-005-1795-9