Young people report ‘persistent and distressing’ problems with sex lives: study
FREDERICTON — A University of New Brunswick researcher says a new survey dispels the myth that most young people are enjoying fun, pleasurable sex lives.
Lucia O’Sullivan, a psychology professor at the Fredericton university, said more than three-quarters of young men and women struggle with bad sex lives — with one or more “persistent and distressing” problems in sexual functioning.
“We have this image that partnered sexual life for young people, particularly at the beginning, is fun, pleasurable and really hedonistic,” she said Wednesday. “But what we found once we started tracking them over time is that many young people have sexual problems they are dealing with.”
The survey of more than 400 young people aged 16 to 21 in New Brunswick found 79 per cent of young men and 84 per cent of young women reported sexual problems over a two-year period.