Social representation of sexuality and attitudes in Mexican university students

This paper studies the social representation of sexuality and its relationship with sexual attitudes and behaviors in a sample of 395 Mexican psychology students. The measure instrument applied was a questionnaire, integrated by a word free association test to determine the representation semantic content, two Likert-type scales to measure attitudes toward sexuality and homosexuality, as well as some closed and open questions on sexual behaviors. The statistical analysis was carried out through hierarchical duster analysis, factor analysis, correlations, central tendency comparisons and chi-square test. In the central nucleus of social representation we found a sexuality that is defined by gender identity and heterosexuality, and whose practice is based on love and on values of respect and personal care. The cluster analysis defines 5 semantic groups. These groups show a weak association with attitudes, but independence with behavior. On the contrary, attitudes are related with sexual behavior in a grade front weak to moderate. Connection between cognitive and behavioral aspects as well as the effect of the measures employed is discussed.