The Influence of Partner Status and Sexual Behavior on College Women’s Consent Communication and Feelings

The topic of sexual consent has permeated mainstream discourse as a mechanism used to decrease rates of sexual assault and increase sex-positive communication. Women's external consent behaviors are frequently examined; however, research exploring their internal consent and feelings associated with sexual activity is understudied. The purpose of this study was to understand how partner status and sexual behavior at most recent sexual activity influence women's external/internal consent and feelings during sexual activity. Three hundred and ninety women completed a survey on consent, partner status, and most recent sexual behavior. Internal and external consent differed by partner status for women who engaged in vaginal-penile sex, but not genital and oral sex. Feelings associated with the sexual act were different within each behavior group and partner status. Women with a serious dating partner reported stronger feelings related to sexual activity, higher internal consent feelings, and increased use of nonverbal external consent cues. Partner status appears to influence factors of interest for vaginal-penile sex, but not genital and oral sex. Findings from this study can inform prevention efforts to increase sex-positive communication around consent.