Factors and processes in heterosexual competence and risk: An integrated review of the evidence

Separate bodies of literature exist on factors influencing negative or posi tive outcomes in terms of sexual health. These research traditions have sho wn that sexual conduct is complex social behaviour. Both heterosexual pleas ure and risk are influenced by a multitude of factors and cannot be reduced to separate causes. In this article we combine these separate areas of res earch by putting together the evidence on the use of contraceptives in gene ral, condoms in particular, and on sexual aggression. The evidence on facto rs influencing either positive or negative outcomes regarding these risks i s reviewed, and common factors are identified. An integrated conceptual vie w of heterosexual risks is presented, in which interactional competence is taken to be a crucial concept. The competence of both heterosexual partners is considered to be related to factors in childhood and adolescence, the w ider socio-cultural and interpersonal context, the specific meanings and fu nctions of sexuality for the individual, and aspects of the immediate conte xt. Possibilities of the model and directions for future research are brief ly discussed.