Sexuality, Sexual Behavior, and Relationships of Asexual Individuals: Differences Between Aromantic and Romantic Orientation
Ana Catarina Carvalho, David L. Rodrigues
Archives of Sexual Behavior·2022·21 citations
Asexuality is a complex construct with a considerable lack of research until recently. Building upon available findings, we examined
the extent to which romantic orientation shapes individual and relationship experiences, and expectations of asexual individuals.
Specifically, our research focused on the distinction between romantic asexual individuals, who experience romantic attraction,
and aromantic asexual individuals, who do not experience romantic attraction. A cross-sectional study with members of different
asexual online communities (N=447, 55.02% women; Mage=24.77 years, SD=7.21) aimed at examining how both groups differ
in their identification with the asexuality construct as measured by the Asexuality Identification Scale (Yule et al., 2017), individual
perspectives on sexuality, sexual behavior and relationships, concerns about commitment and sexual performance in a relationship,
and attachment style. Results showed that aromantic asexual individuals identified more with asexuality, reported a more avoidant
attachment style, and were more concerned with relationship commitment. In contrast, romantic asexual individuals reported less
sex aversion, more sexual experiences (both past and current), and more sexual partners in the past. These individuals also engaged
in romantic relationships more frequently in the past, had a stronger desire to engage in a romantic relationship in future (either with
or without sexual intimacy), and were more concerned with sexual performance. Overall, our findings contribute to the literature
by highlighting the need to consider romantic orientation when examining asexuality and its interpersonal outcomes.