Which factors contribute to sexual well-being? A comparative study among 17 to 20 year old boys and girls in Belgium and Ecuador

ABSTRACT Despite recognition that sexual well-being is an important part of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, a clear description of adolescent sexual well-being does not yet exist. Through six in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions with 56 young people in two distinct contexts (Belgium and Ecuador), we used the socialecological framework to identify factors influencing adolescent sexual well-being. According to respondents, the main factors that influence adolescent sexual well-being are not only situated at the individual (having knowledge and skills and being physically, sexually and mental mature and healthy) and interpersonal levels (positive attraction towards others and communication about sexuality), but at a broader societal level, including social acceptance of sex, gender and sexual diversity and its (legal) translation into comprehensive sexuality education and the ready availability of contraceptives. Our results go well beyond two existing definitions of (adolescent) sexual wellbeing to contribute to understanding and measurement from the perspective of young people themselves, adding substantively to ongoing discussion about the definition of the concep

¿Qué factores contribuyen al bienestar sexual? Un estudio comparativo entre chicos y chicas de 17 a 20 años en Bélgica y Ecuador

A pesar del reconocimiento de que el bienestar sexual es una parte importante de la salud sexual y reproductiva de los adolescentes, aún no existe una descripción clara del bienestar sexual de los adolescentes. A través de seis entrevistas en profundidad y cuatro discusiones de grupos focales con 56 jóvenes en dos contextos distintos (Bélgica y Ecuador), utilizamos el marco socioecológico para identificar los factores que influyen en el bienestar sexual de los adolescentes. Según los encuestados, los principales factores que influyen en el bienestar sexual de los adolescentes no solo se sitúan a nivel individual (tener conocimientos y habilidades y ser física, sexual y mentalmente maduro y saludable) e interpersonales (atracción positiva hacia los demás y comunicación sobre la sexualidad) , pero a un nivel social más amplio, incluida la aceptación social del sexo, el género y la diversidad sexual y su traducción (legal) en educación sexual integral y la disponibilidad inmediata de anticonceptivos. Nuestros resultados van mucho más allá de dos definiciones existentes de bienestar sexual (adolescente) para contribuir a la comprensión y medición desde la perspectiva de los propios jóvenes, lo que se suma de manera sustancial a la discusión en curso sobre la definición del concepto.Despite recognition that sexual well-being is an important part of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, a clear description of adolescent sexual well-being does not yet exist. Through six in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions with 56 young people in two distinct contexts (Belgium and Ecuador), we used the social-ecological framework to identify factors influencing adolescent sexual well-being. According to respondents, the main factors that influence adolescent sexual well-being are not only situated at the individual (having knowledge and skills and being physically, sexually and mental mature and healthy) and interpersonal levels (positive attraction towards others and communication about sexuality), but at a broader societal level, including social acceptance of sex, gender and sexual diversity and its (legal) translation into comprehensive sexuality education and the ready availability of contraceptives. Our results go well beyond two existing definitions of (adolescent) sexual well-being to contribute to understanding and measurement from the perspective of young people themselves, adding substantively to ongoing discussion about the definition of the concept