Speaking the unspeakable: an exploratory study of college women's sex communication in Shanghai, China

Abstract

The centrality of communication in safer sex promotion is widely recognized. Chinese young women face unique challenges when it comes to sex communica-tion. Little is known about Chinese college women’s experience related to condom use and sexual communication. This study collected qualitative data (n ^101) in a Shanghai university through participant responses to open-ended interview questions and the researcher’s reflexive journal during an interpersonal sexual health intervention. Guided by a sexual scripting perspective, the analysis yielded important insight into these college women’s experience of communicating about sex and condom use. Significance for prevention practice and theory development is discussed.