Intersections of Public Health, Sexuality, and Communication

Dear Colleagues,

Decades of research on sexual risk-taking focused on specific behaviors such as condom use and number of partners, and researchers called for more information on partner communication. Only recently have detailed studies emerged providing information about sexual communication that delve with sufficient detail to uncover specific facets of communication that increase or decrease risk taking. Communication with “I” statements, initiative partner communication prior to engaging in sexual activity, carrying protective materials like condoms, and higher self-esteem all consistently predict safer behavior. However, turning such results into effective interventions has been challenging. Constraints on interventions for teens in particular, or for relationships involving violence are limiting due to societal stigma and ethical concerns. Minority groups like the LGBTQ+ community are vulnerable to coercive and violent relationships, constraining preventive behavior.

This Special Issue offers an opportunity to jointly publish high-quality multidisciplinary research and reviews to describe the social determinants of sexual health and behaviors; the role of sexuality in interpersonal and public health communication; personal, relational, cultural, and environmental factors affecting people’s sexual communication and experiences; and effective communication and intervention strategies to promote sexual health. New research, intervention studies, and innovations in messaging, as well as reviews of the field are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Brenda Seals
Dr. Yachao Li
Dr. Emily Scheinfeld
Guest Editors

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