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Sexuality Research and Social Policy

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10-01-2022

Embarrassment, Shame, and Reassurance: Emotion and Young People’s Access to Online Sexual Health Information

Authors: Andrea Waling, Adrian Farrugia, Suzanne Fraser

Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Introduction

Research suggests that embarrassment and shame are significant barriers to young people’s access to sexual health information. In this article, we analyse the relationship between emotion and young people’s engagement with online sexual health information.

Methods

Drawing on the work of Ahmed on the performativity of emotion and Probyn’s theorisation of shame, we analyse interviews conducted in 2020 with 37 young people in Australia on sources of sexual health information.

Results

Based on themes emerging from the data, our analysis considers the role of embarrassment and shame in shaping young people’s access to sexual health information, the sources they seek, and the forms of information provision they prefer. Overall, we find that shame, embarrassment, and judgement shape our participants’ access to sexual health information in four key ways: (1) by enacting suitable sources of information; (2) by propelling curiosity in different directions; (3) by constituting ‘normal’ bodies, sexuality, and sexual health; and (4) by constituting desired forms of communication.

Conclusions

As part of these dynamics, our participants use a range of strategies to avoid potential embarrassment or judgement when seeking sexual health information. The article concludes by exploring the implications of these practices and dynamics.

Policy Implications

Our analysis suggests the need for research, policy, and public health initiatives that are open to the multiple effects of emotion, including those traditionally thought of as negative, and their role in materialising encounters with sexual health information.

previous article Effectiveness of a Sexual Health Seminar at Improving Contraceptive and Perceived Sexually Transmitted Infection Knowledge Among First-Semester College Students

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This method section is adapted from other articles published by the authors (Farrugia et al., 2021; Fraser et al., 2021; Waling et al., 2020c).

The inclusion criterion of Australian citizenship or permanent residency status was determined by the approach taken in the national sexual health survey of secondary students (Fisher et al., 2019a), from which the study being reported on here drew its participants.

Audio and video chat interviews have been lightly edited for clarity.

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Title: Embarrassment, Shame, and Reassurance: Emotion and Young People’s Access to Online Sexual Health Information
Authors: Andrea Waling
Adrian Farrugia
Suzanne Fraser
Publication date: 10-01-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 1868-9884
Electronic ISSN: 1553-6610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00668-6

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Policy Implications

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