GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL ATTITUDES AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENON OF EARLY ADULTHOOD

Abstract

Sexual attitudes represent a complex, multidimensional psychological construct formed through the interaction of individual and socio-cultural factors, and serve as a regulator of intimate behavior and interpersonal interaction. Their study becomes particularly significant in early adulthood, when sexuality is integrated into the structure of personality and is associated with the formation of identity, value orientations, and the experience of building intimate relationships. In this context, gender differences in sexual attitudes determine the specificity of their content, significance, and modes of expression.

The aim of the article is to provide a theoretical justification of the psychological features of gender differences in sexual attitudes in early adulthood as an integrative construct that combines cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. The study analyzes contemporary approaches to understanding sexuality, reveals the structure of sexual attitudes, and identifies the factors influencing their formation.

The generalization of scientific approaches has shown that gender differences are manifested in the level of permissiveness, the degree of integration of sexuality into interpersonal relationships, the nature of cognitive processing of sexual information, and attitudes toward risk. It has been found that male sexuality is more often characterized by autonomy, higher cognitive activation related to sexual content, and a broader range of acceptable behaviors, whereas female sexuality is more closely associated with emotional intimacy, contextual dependence, selectivity, and greater sensitivity to the social and personal consequences of intimate interaction.

The findings indicate that gender differences in sexual attitudes have a systemic nature and are manifested at different levels of psychological functioning, allowing them to be considered as an integrative indicator of personality development in early adulthood.