Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey
Open accessAbstract
A stratified probability sample survey of the British general population, aged 16 to 44 years, was conducted from 1999 to 2001 (N = 11,161) using face-to-face interviewing and computer-assisted self-interviewing. We used these data to estimate the population prevalence of masturbation, and to identify sociodemographic, sexual behavioral, and attitudinal factors associated with reporting this behavior. Seventy-three percent of men and 36.8% of women reported masturbating in the 4 weeks prior to interview (95% confidence interval 71.5%-74.4% and 35.4%-38.2%, respectively). A number of sociodemographic and behavioral factors were associated with reporting masturbation. Among both men and women, reporting masturbation increased with higher levels of education and social class and was more common among those reporting sexual function problems. For women, masturbation was more likely among those who reported more frequent vaginal sex in the last four weeks, a greater repertoire of sexual activity (such as reporting oral and anal sex), and more sexual partners in the last year. In contrast, the prevalence of masturbation was lower among men reporting more frequent vaginal sex. Both men and women reporting same-sex partner(s) were significantly more likely to report masturbation. Masturbation is a common sexual practice with significant variations in reporting between men and women.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. R., & Martin, C. E. (1948) · Physical Therapy · doi:10.1093/ptj/28.2.93 · Cited by 5,577 · see citing works
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
Oyler, M. D., Kinsey, A., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. (1954) · Harvard Law Review · doi:10.2307/1336986 · Cited by 4,609 · see citing works
The gender similarities hypothesis.
Hyde, J. S. (2005) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.60.6.581 · Cited by 3,084 · see citing works
The social organization of sexuality: sexual practices in the United States
(1995) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.32-4802a · Cited by 2,888 · see citing works
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1954) · Physical Therapy · doi:10.1093/ptj/34.1.50 · Cited by 2,242 · see citing works
Giami, A., Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., Michaels, S., Michael, R. T., Laumann, E. O., & Kolata, G. B. (1997) · Population · doi:10.2307/1534637 · Cited by 1,563 · see citing works
Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
Stone, A., Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1948) · Marriage and Family Living · doi:10.2307/347934 · Cited by 1,343 · see citing works
Gender differences in sexuality: A meta-analysis.
Oliver, M. B., & Hyde, J. S. (1993) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.114.1.29 · Cited by 1,134 · see citing works
Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0503_5 · Cited by 862 · see citing works
The social organization of sexuality : sexual practices in the United States
Laumann, E. O. (1994) · Cited by 833 · see citing works
Sexual behaviour in Britain: Partnerships, practices, and HIV risk behaviours.
Johnson, A. M., Mercer, C. H., Erens, B., Copas, A. J., McManus, S., Wellings, K., Fenton, K. A., Korovessis, C., Macdowall, W., Nanchahal, K., et al. (2001) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(01)06883-0 · Cited by 815 · see citing works
Self-citationGender differences in erotic plasticity: The female sex drive as socially flexible and responsive.
Baumeister, R. F. (2000) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.126.3.347 · Cited by 808 · see citing works
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
S., J., Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1954) · Population · doi:10.2307/1524943 · Cited by 709 · see citing works
Sexual behaviour in Britain: early heterosexual experience
Wellings, K., Nanchahal, K., Macdowall, W. G., McManus, S., Erens, B., Mercer, C. H., Johnson, A. M., Copas, A. J., Korovessis, C., Fenton, K. A., et al. (2001) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(01)06885-4 · Cited by 657 · see citing works
Self-citationSexual Attitudes and Lifestyles
Ashton, J. R. (1994) · Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech.48.5.527-a · Cited by 568 · see citing works
Sex differences in sexual fantasy: An evolutionary psychological approach
Ellis, B. J., & Symons, D. (1990) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499009551579 · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Leitenberg, H., & Henning, K. (1995) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.469 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
Sexual function problems and help seeking behaviour in Britain: national probability sample survey
Mercer, C. H., Fenton, K. A., Johnson, A. M., Wellings, K., Macdowall, W. G., McManus, S., Nanchahal, K., & Erens, B. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7412.426 · Cited by 378 · see citing works
Self-citationSolitary Sex: A Cultural History of Masturbation
Laqueur, T. W. (2003) · Works - Scholarship, Research, & Creative Expression (Swarthmore College) · Cited by 316 · see citing works
Sexual lifestyles and HIV risk
Johnson, A. M., Wadsworth, J., Wellings, K., Bradshaw, S., & Field, J. (1992) · Nature · doi:10.1038/360410a0 · Cited by 232 · see citing works
Self-citationFenton, K. A., Mercer, C. H., McManus, S., Erens, B., Wellings, K., Macdowall, W. G., Byron, C., Copas, A. J., Nanchahal, K., Field, J., et al. (2005) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(05)74813-3 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
Self-citationSolitary sex: A cultural history of masturbation
Stryker, S. (2004) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1525/srsp.2004.1.1.108 · Cited by 173 · see citing works
Masturbation as a Means of Achieving Sexual Health
Coleman, E. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_02 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Johnson, A. M., Copas, A. J., Erens, B., Mandalia, S., Fenton, K. A., Korovessis, C., Wellings, K., & Field, J. (2001) · AIDS · doi:10.1097/00002030-200101050-00016 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Self-citationSexual attitudes and lifestyles
Johnson, A., Wadsworth, J., Wellings, K., & Field, J. (1994) · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Self-citationSeparating refusal bias and non-contact bias: evidence from UK national surveys
Lynn, P. J., & Clarke, P. (2002) · Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series D (The Statistician) · doi:10.1111/1467-9884.00321 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Copas, A. J. (2002) · Sexually Transmitted Infections · doi:10.1136/sti.78.1.26 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Becoming orgasmic: A sexual and personal growth program for women
Jones, J. C. (1990) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/0272-7358(90)90060-n · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Spira, A., & Bajos, N. (1994) · Cited by 79 · see citing works
National survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles II: Technical report
Erens, B., McManus, S., Field, J., Korovessis, S., Johnson, M., Fenton, K. A., & Wellings, K. (2001) · LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citationMasturbation in a Generational Perspective
Kontula, O., & Haavio‐Mannila, E. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_05 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Factors Associated with Masturbation in a Collegiate Sample
Pinkerton, S. D., Bogart, L. M., Cecil, H., & Abramson, P. R. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_07 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Patterns of Masturbatory Behaviour
Dekker, A., & Schmidt, G. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_04 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Using Masturbation in Sex Therapy
Zamboni, B. D., & Crawford, I. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_08 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
The Masturbation Taboo and the Rise of Routine Male Circumcision: A Review of the Historiography
Darby, R. J. L. (2003) · Journal of Social History · doi:10.1353/jsh.2003.0047 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Bullough, V. L. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_03 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Chandiramani, R. (1998) · Reproductive Health Matters · doi:10.1016/s0968-8080(98)90010-6 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Sexuality and the Social Sciences. A French Survey on Sexual Behaviour
Goodson, P., Bozon, M., & Léridon, H. (1998) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.2307/353558 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Masturbation and Sexual Health
Robinson, B. “. E., Bockting, W. O., & Harrell, T. (2003) · Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality · doi:10.1300/j056v14n02_06 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Communicating with adolescents
Me, C. (2007) · CME/Continuing medical education · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Kitamura, K. (1990) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Tchamouroff, S. E., Goldmeier, D., & Quintner, J. L. (1995) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(95)90436-0 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Cardamakis, E., Vinakos, G., Lambou, T., & Papathanasiou, Z. (1993) · European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · doi:10.1016/0028-2243(93)90238-8 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Psychiatrists and General Practitioners: The Working Relationship
Mitchell, R. (1987) · Psychiatric Bulletin · doi:10.1192/pb.11.10.353 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Sexuality advice on the radio: an overview in the United States and around the world.
Kuriansky, J. (1996) · PubMed · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
3 of the 48 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The Relative Health Benefits of Different Sexual Activities
Brody, S. (2010) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01677.x · Cited by 295 · see citing works
Asexuality: a mixed-methods approach
Brotto, L. A., Knudson, G., Inskip, J., Rhodes, K., & Erskine, Y. (2010) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-008-9434-x · Cited by 254 · see citing works
Brody, S., & Costa, R. M. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01303.x · Cited by 216 · see citing works
Puberty and adolescent sexuality
Fortenberry, J. D. (2013) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.03.007 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
The Role of Masturbation in Healthy Sexual Development: Perceptions of Young Adults
Kaestle, C. E., & Allen, K. R. (2011) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9722-0 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Masturbation Among Women: Associated Factors and Sexual Response in a Portuguese Community Sample
Carvalheira, A., & Leal, I. (2013) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2011.628440 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Goldey, K. L., Posh, A. R., Bell, S. N., & van Anders, S. M. (2016) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0704-8 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Dosch, A., Rochat, L., Ghisletta, P., Favez, N., & Van der Linden, M. (2016) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-z · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Carvalheira, A. A., Træen, B., & Štulhofer, A. (2014) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2014.958790 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Sexual Desire Inventory: Two or Three Dimensions?
Moyano, N., Vallejo‐Medina, P., & Sierra, J. C. (2016) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2015.1109581 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Robbins, C. L. (2011) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.142 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: An In-Depth Exploration
Yule, M. A., Brotto, L. A., & Gorzalka, B. B. (2016) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0870-8 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Masturbation and Partnered Sex: Substitutes or Complements?
Regnerus, M., Price, J., & Gordon, D. (2017) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-017-0975-8 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Richters, J., de Visser, R. O., Badcock, P. B., Smith, A. M. A., Rissel, C. E., Simpson, J. M., & Grulich, A. E. (2014) · Sexual Health · doi:10.1071/sh14116 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J., & French, J. (2014) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0387-y · Cited by 95 · see citing works
The varied nature of women's sexuality: Unresolved issues and a theoretical approach
Bancroft, J., & Graham, C. A. (2011) · Hormones and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2011.01.005 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Self-citationBowman, C. P. (2013) · Psychology of Women Quarterly · doi:10.1177/0361684313514855 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Prenatal Influences on Human Sexual Orientation: Expectations versus Data
Breedlove, S. M. (2017) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0904-2 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Notes from the Back Room: Gender, Power, and (In)Visibility in Women's Experiences of Masturbation
Fahs, B., & Frank, E. (2013) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2012.745474 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Baćak, V., & Štulhofer, A. (2011) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2011.611220 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Hormones, context, and “brain gender”: a review of evidence from congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Jordan-Young, R. M. (2012) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.08.026 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Validation of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men
Milhausen, R. R., Graham, C. A., Sanders, S. A., Yarber, W. L., & Maitland, S. B. (2009) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9554-y · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Self-citationWomen Get Worse Sex: A Confound in the Explanation of Gender Differences in Sexuality
Conley, T. D., & Klein, V. (2022) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/17456916211041598 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Why and How Women Masturbate, and the Relationship to Orgasmic Response
Rowland, D. L., Kolba, T. N., McNabney, S. M., Uribe, D., & Hevesi, K. (2020) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2020.1717700 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
An update on sexual function and dysfunction in women
Khajehei, M., Doherty, M., & Tilley, P. J. M. (2015) · Archives of Women s Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s00737-015-0535-y · Cited by 73 · see citing works
A Seemingly Paradoxical Relationship Between Masturbation Frequency and Sexual Satisfaction
Fischer, N., & Træen, B. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02305-8 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Anxious and Avoidant Attachment, Vibrator Use, Anal Sex, and Impaired Vaginal Orgasm
Costa, R. M., & Brody, S. (2011) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02332.x · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Sexual well-being of older men and women
Santos‐Iglesias, P., Byers, E. S., & Moglia, R. J. (2016) · The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality · doi:10.3138/cjhs.252-a4 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Kashdan, T. B., Goodman, F. R., Stiksma, M. C., Milius, C. R., & McKnight, P. E. (2017) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/emo0000324 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Costa, R. M., & Brody, S. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01559.x · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Klapilová, K., Brody, S., Krejčová, L., Husárová, B., & Binter, J. (2014) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12766 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Herbenick, D., Fu, T., Wasata, R., & Coleman, E. (2022) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02505-2 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
The Sexunzipped Trial: Optimizing the Design of Online Randomized Controlled Trials
Bailey, J., Pavlou, M., Copas, A. J., McCarthy, O., Carswell, K., Rait, G., Hart, G. J., Nazareth, I., Free, C., French, R., et al. (2013) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.2668 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Graham, C. A., Mercer, C. H., Tanton, C., Jones, K. G., Johnson, A. M., Wellings, K., & Mitchell, K. R. (2017) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016942 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Self-citationMasturbatory Behavior in a Population Sample of German Women
Burri, A. V., & Carvalheira, A. A. (2019) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.04.015 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors Among Older Adults in Four European Countries
Fischer, N., Graham, C. A., Træen, B., & Hald, G. M. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-02071-z · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Self-citationHerbenick, D., Fu, T., Svetina, D., Patterson, C. L., Gonzalez, Y. R. R., Guerra‐Reyes, L., Eastman-Mueller, H. P., Beckmeyer, J. J., & Rosenberg, M. S. (2021) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-021-01917-w · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Costa, R. M., & Brody, S. (2013) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2013.06.035 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Bronner, G., & Ben-Zion, I. (2014) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12501 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Costa, R. M., Miller, G. F., & Brody, S. (2012) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02917.x · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Rowland, D. L., Hevesi, K., Conway, G. R., & Kolba, T. N. (2019) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.10.012 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2014) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12427 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Wassersug, R., & Wibowo, E. (2017) · Translational Andrology and Urology · doi:10.21037/tau.2017.04.09 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Autoeroticism, Mental Health, and Organic Disturbances in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
Corona, G., Ricca, V., Boddi, V., Bandini, E., Lotti, F., Fisher, A. D., Sforza, A., Forti, G., Mannucci, E., & Maggi, M. (2009) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01497.x · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Abstinence from masturbation and hypersexuality
Zimmer, F., & Imhoff, R. (2020) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-019-01623-8 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Blair, K. L., Pukall, C. F., Smith, K. B., & Cappell, J. (2014) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2014.931315 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Sexual Development in Adolescents
Fortenberry, J. D. (2013) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-387759-8.00007-6 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Masturbation Experiences of Swedish Senior High School Students: Gender Differences and Similarities
Driemeyer, W., Janssen, E., Wiltfang, J., & Elmerstig, E. (2016) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2016.1167814 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Chetcuti, N., Beltzer, N., Methy, N., Laborde, C., Velter, A., Bajos, N., & CSF Group (2013) · Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2012.657264 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Cervilla, Ó., & Sierra, J. C. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903361 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Sexual dysfunction in women with migraine versus tension-type headaches: a comparative study
Beştepe, E., Çabalar, M., Küçükgöncü, S., Çalıkuşu, C., Ornek, F. Y., Yayla, V., & Erkoç, Ş. (2011) · International Journal of Impotence Research · doi:10.1038/ijir.2011.16 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Limoncin, E., Gravina, G. L., Lotti, F., Maseroli, E., Ciocca, G., Corona, G., Maggi, M., Reisman, Y., Balercia, G., Lenzi, A., et al. (2018) · British Journal of Urology · doi:10.1111/bju.14560 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Kılıç, D., Armstrong, H. L., & Graham, C. A. (2020) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2020.1781722 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationDosch, A., Belayachi, S., & der Linden, M. V. (2015) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.1003361 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Costa, R. M., & Brody, S. (2008) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00987.x · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Mukherjee, A., Gopalakrishnan, R., Thangadurai, P., Kuruvilla, A., & Jacob, K. S. (2019) · Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine · doi:10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_441_18 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Castellini, G., Fanni, E., Corona, G., Maseroli, E., Ricca, V., & Maggi, M. (2016) · Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2016.03.024 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Relationship between Solitary Masturbation and Sexual Satisfaction: A Systematic Review
Cervilla, Ó., Álvarez-Muelas, A., & Sierra, J. C. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12020235 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Reece, M., Herbenick, D., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2014) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12480 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Analysis of High-Risk Sexual Behavior among Polish University Students
Stokłosa, I., Stokłosa, M., Porwolik, M. J., Bugajski, M., Więckiewicz, G., Piegza, M. J., Męcik-Kronenberg, T., & Gorczyca, P. W. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18073737 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Masturbation Frequency and Sexual Function in Individuals with and without Sexual Partners
Huang, S., Niu, C., & Santtila, P. O. (2022) · Sexes · doi:10.3390/sexes3020018 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Masturbation in middle and late adulthood: its relationship to orgasm
Sierra, J. C., Santamaría, J., Cervilla, Ó., & Álvarez-Muelas, A. (2022) · International journal of impotence research · doi:10.1038/s41443-021-00520-w · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Masturbation in the Animal Kingdom
Roth, L., Briken, P., & Fuß, J. (2022) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2022.2044446 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Can Masturbatory Guilt Lead to Severe Psychopathology: A Case Series
Aneja, J., Grover, S., Avasthi, A., Mahajan, S. L., Pokhrel, P., & Davuluri, T. (2015) · Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine · doi:10.4103/0253-7176.150848 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Sierra, J. C., Perla, F., & Gutiérrez-Quintanilla, R. (1969) · Universitas Psychologica · doi:10.11144/javeriana.upsy9-2.amap · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Brody, S., & Costa, R. M. (2009) · International Journal of STD & AIDS · doi:10.1258/ijsa.2009.009435 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Habitudes masturbatoires et dysfonctions sexuelles masculines
Porto, R. (2016) · Sexologies · doi:10.1016/j.sexol.2016.03.004 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Why Men Masturbate: Reasons and Correlates in Men with and without Sexual Dysfunction
Hevesi, K., Tamas, S., & Rowland, D. L. (2023) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2023.2204088 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Exploring the Role of Masturbation as a Coping Strategy in Women
Wehrli, F. S. V., Bodenmann, G., Clemen, J., & Weitkamp, K. (2024) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2024.2344812 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Rastrelli, G., Boddi, V., Corona, G., Mannucci, E., & Maggi, M. (2013) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1111/jsm.12052 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
A Dyadic Perspective on Sexual Subjectivity and Romantic Relationship Functioning
Kohlberger, B., Simon, V. A., & Rivera, Z. (2019) · Journal of Relationships Research · doi:10.1017/jrr.2019.18 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Jiao, T., Chen, J., & Niu, Y. (2019) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2019.1677883 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Sexual Fantasy, Masturbation and Pornography Among Egyptians
Kasemy, Z. A. A., Desouky, D. E.-S., & Rasoul, G. A. (2016) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-016-9346-1 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Masturbation is Related to Psychopathology and Prostate Dysfunction: Comment on Quinsey (2012)
Costa, R. M. (2012) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-012-9956-0 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Kılıç, D., Armstrong, H. L., & Graham, C. A. (2023) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2023.2237950 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationBlack Women’s Pleasure Mapping
Thorpe, S. Y., Dogan, J. N., Townes, A., Malone, N. J., Jester, J. K., & Hargons, C. N. (2021) · Journal of black sexuality and relationships · doi:10.1353/bsr.2021.0008 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Masturbation: Breaking the Silence
Shelton, J. D. (2010) · International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health · doi:10.1363/3615710 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Brody, S., & Nicholson, S. (2013) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2013.810810 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Xi, Y., Zhang, H., Colonnello, E., Limoncin, E., Jannini, E. A., & Zhang, Y. (2021) · Andrology · doi:10.1111/andr.13125 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Cervilla, Ó., Jiménez-Antón, E., Álvarez-Muelas, A., Mangas, P., Granados, R., & Sierra, J. C. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11060805 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Attachment tendencies and sexual activities
Favez, N., & Tissot, H. (2016) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/0265407516658361 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Bowman, C. P. (2017) · CUNY Academic Works (City University of New York) · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Cerwenka, S. C., Dekker, A., Pietras, L., & Briken, P. (2021) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.09.010 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Mascherek, A., Reidick, M. C., Gallinat, J., & Kühn, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Trajectories of intimate partnerships, sexual attitudes, desire and satisfaction
Ammar, N., Gauthier, J., & Widmer, E. D. (2014) · Advances in Life Course Research · doi:10.1016/j.alcr.2014.06.001 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Depiction of masturbation in North American movies
Madanikia, Y., Bartholomew, K., & Cytrynbaum, J. B. (2013) · The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality · doi:10.3138/cjhs.2013.2052 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Soh, P. N., Delaunay, B., Nasr, E. B., Delannes, M., Soulie, M., & Huyghe, É. (2014) · Basic and Clinical Andrology · doi:10.1186/2051-4190-24-13 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Actual and Desired Masturbation Frequency, Sexual Distress, and Their Correlates
Huang, S., Nyman, T. J., Jern, P., & Santtila, P. O. (2023) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-023-02641-3 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Immature psychological defense mechanisms and the misrepresentations of some sex researchers
Brody, S., Costa, R. M., & Heß, U. (2012) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2012.697144 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Behavior
Best, C., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6633-8_19 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Træen, B., & Kvalem, I. L. (2022) · Sexuality & Culture · doi:10.1007/s12119-022-10037-z · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Herbenick, D., Fu, T., Chen, X., Ali, S., Stanojević, I. S., Hensel, D. J., Wright, P. J., Peterson, Z. D., Harezlak, J., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2025) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-025-03245-9 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Masturbatory Guilt Leading to Severe Depression
Albobali, Y., & Madi, M. Y. (2021) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.13626 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Mowen, T. J., & Heitkamp, A. (2021) · Deviant Behavior · doi:10.1080/01639625.2021.1982658 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The clitoral activation paradox — Claimed outcomes from different methods of its stimulation
Levin, R. J. (2018) · Clinical Anatomy · doi:10.1002/ca.23192 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Smoking is Unrelated to Female Sexual Function
Costa, R. M., & Peres, L. (2014) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.3109/10826084.2014.962054 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Valadares, A. L. R., Machado, V. S. S., Costa‐Paiva, L., de Souza, M. H., Osis, M. J. D., & Pinto-Neto, A. M. (2013) · Menopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society · doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3182987231 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Yang, X., Attané, I., Li, S., & Zhang, Q. (2012) · Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1016/j.jomh.2012.02.005 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Evidence for Masturbation and Prostate Cancer Risk: Do We Have a Verdict?
Aboul-Enein, B. H., Bernstein, J., & Ross, M. W. (2016) · Sexual Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2016.02.006 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Batista, R. L., Inácio, M., Brito, V. N., Sircili, M. H. P., Bag, M. J., Gomes, N. L., Costa, E. M. F., Domenice, S., & Mendonca, B. B. (2023) · Clinics · doi:10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100185 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
- Authors
- Gerressu, M., Mercer, C. H., Graham, C. A., Wellings, K., & Johnson, A. M.
- Affiliations
- Mortimer Market Centre (GB)
- Warneford Hospital (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gerressu, Makeda
- Venue
- Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Published
- 2007-02-27
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 266-278
- ISSN
- 0004-0002 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-2800
- OpenAlex
- W1984855522
- Semantic Scholar
- 0f84f6d008b9f6c88f354d8c0b36994e87133365
- Cited by
- 200
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 4.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- bura.brunel.ac.uk
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Archives of Sexual Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Brunel University Research Archive (BURA) (Brunel University London) (submittedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Keywords
- masturbation, prevalence, sexual behavior, sociodemographic factors, vaginal intercourse, sexual partners, same-sex couples, gender differences, sexual health attitudes, British population
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Coitus, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Masturbation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Sexual Partners, Socioeconomic Factors, Incidence, Heterosexuality
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
