Skip to main content

Table 2 Study research questions, interview sections and derived benefit

From: The Australian longitudinal study of health and relationships

Question

Section(s)

Benefit

What is the relationship between the age of sexual debut, patterns of sexual activity, and subsequent sexual functioning and reproductive health including diagnosis with STI's?

Sexual debut – first sex

Sexual history

Sexual function (noted by dysfunction)

Reproductive history and reproductive future STI's

To describe patterns of sexual behaviour and thus better direct public education programs to reduce STI

To better understand the impact of early/delayed sexual activity on reproductive health

What are the sociodemographic, sexual and reproductive predictors of contraceptive choice and change?

Demographics

Contraceptive history/use

Reproductive history/use

Sexual history/current

Last sex

To follow the change in contraception (and use) due to sociodemographic markers and sexual history.

To determine the impact of this change on reproductive outcomes and birth rates

What is the nature and magnitude of the relationship between experiencing sexual coercion and subsequent sexual functioning and reproductive health?

Sexual coercion

Sexual history/future

Reproductive history/future

To identify the ongoing impact of sexual coercion (to monitor changes – on a yearly basis rather than recall over time)

To provide insight into the long term effects of sexual coercion

What are the sociodemographic, sexual and reproductive predictors of tubal ligation, vasectomy and hysterectomy?

Demographics

Contraceptive history/use

Reproductive history/use

Sexual activity history/current

To identify markers for (semi) permanent surgery as a method of reproductive control and sexual behaviour

What is the impact of tubal ligation, vasectomy, and hysterectomy on subsequent sexual functioning?

Sexual activity current/future

Sexual function/dysfunction

General health

As the study is longitudinal we can determine the impact of reproductive surgeries on subsequent sexual functioning – monitoring changes yearly as they occur

What are the sociodemographic, sexual and reproductive predictors of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, particularly abortion and miscarriage?

Demographics

Contraceptive history/use

Reproductive history/use

Enumeration of pregnancies

Sexual activity history/current

Expectancies of future pregnancies

Last sex

Pregnancy/birth history and reproductive history can provide insight to abortion and miscarriage outcomes

What are the impacts of spontaneous and induced pregnancy losses on subsequent sexual functioning and reproductive outcomes including contraceptive choice?

Contraceptive history/use

Reproductive history/use

Sexual activity history/current

Sexual function/dysfunction General health

Pregnancy loss can have an impact of mental and general health and sexual functioning. Monitoring this can provide insight into the ongoing effects of pregnancy loss

What is the relationship between sexual functioning, reproductive health and satisfaction with the physical and emotional aspects of people's intimate relationships and subsequent relationship breakdown?

Sexual satisfaction/expectation

Physical satisfaction/expectation

Emotional satisfaction/expectation

Reproductive history/use

Sexual activity history/current

Relationship enumeration

To provide a template of the interplay between satisfaction, expectation and relationship history.

Monitor changes against the marker of expectations

What is the impact of divorce or other relationship breakdown on subsequent sexual functioning and reproductive health?

Marriage/divorce

Duration of relationships

Sexual function/dysfunction

Sexual activity history/current

Reproductive history

Relationship enumeration

To measure markers of relationship breakdown against future relationships and sexual functioning

To monitor the dynamic changes in relationships with a focus on sexual functioning and reproductive health