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Masturbation Trajectories from Late Adolescence into Mid-Adulthood: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.

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Title: Masturbation Trajectories from Late Adolescence into Mid-Adulthood: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.
Authors: Ivanova, Anna (AUTHOR), Fluit, Sam (AUTHOR), Fischer, Nantje (AUTHOR), von Soest, Tilmann (AUTHOR), Kozák, Michal (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Sex Research. May2026, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p510-524. 15p.
Subjects: Masturbation, Longitudinal method, Human sexuality, Adults, Relationship status, Gender differences (Sociology), Gay identity
Abstract: Masturbation with its numerous health benefits is an integral aspect of most people's sexuality and is typically observed across all stages of life. However, longitudinal studies exploring the frequencies of masturbation across major life phases are lacking. We examined the development of masturbation frequencies from ages 19–50 via multilevel growth curve modeling with a longitudinal population-based sample of 2,562 individuals. For women, masturbation frequency gradually increased until they were in their early 30s, followed by a slight decline. In contrast, men's masturbation practices remained largely stable across the investigated age span. Masturbation trajectories did not change for either gender when controlling for the frequency of partnered sex. However, accounting for partnership status and the frequency of sexual fantasizing changed the trajectories for men, but not for women. Compared to those who became parents, individuals who remained childless presented a greater increase in masturbation frequency until approximately age 30, followed by a greater subsequent decline. Participants with nonheterosexual sexual identity masturbated more frequently than did strictly heterosexual individuals, across all ages. Masturbation trajectories did not differ significantly across religious affiliation and educational attainment. Collectively, these findings suggest the autonomous nature of masturbation as a sexual activity in relation to the frequency of partnered sex but also underscore the importance of individual life circumstances and one's sexuality in shaping its expression throughout adulthood. Future research should further investigate the dynamics among partnered sexual practices, sexual and relational problems, and masturbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Sex Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Masturbation Trajectories from Late Adolescence into Mid-Adulthood: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ivanova%2C+Anna%22">Ivanova, Anna</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fluit%2C+Sam%22">Fluit, Sam</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fischer%2C+Nantje%22">Fischer, Nantje</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22von+Soest%2C+Tilmann%22">von Soest, Tilmann</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kozák%2C+Michal%22">Kozák, Michal</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Sex+Research%22">Journal of Sex Research</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p510-524. 15p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masturbation%22">Masturbation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Longitudinal+method%22">Longitudinal method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+sexuality%22">Human sexuality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Relationship+status%22">Relationship status</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+differences+%28Sociology%29%22">Gender differences (Sociology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gay+identity%22">Gay identity</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Masturbation with its numerous health benefits is an integral aspect of most people's sexuality and is typically observed across all stages of life. However, longitudinal studies exploring the frequencies of masturbation across major life phases are lacking. We examined the development of masturbation frequencies from ages 19–50 via multilevel growth curve modeling with a longitudinal population-based sample of 2,562 individuals. For women, masturbation frequency gradually increased until they were in their early 30s, followed by a slight decline. In contrast, men's masturbation practices remained largely stable across the investigated age span. Masturbation trajectories did not change for either gender when controlling for the frequency of partnered sex. However, accounting for partnership status and the frequency of sexual fantasizing changed the trajectories for men, but not for women. Compared to those who became parents, individuals who remained childless presented a greater increase in masturbation frequency until approximately age 30, followed by a greater subsequent decline. Participants with nonheterosexual sexual identity masturbated more frequently than did strictly heterosexual individuals, across all ages. Masturbation trajectories did not differ significantly across religious affiliation and educational attainment. Collectively, these findings suggest the autonomous nature of masturbation as a sexual activity in relation to the frequency of partnered sex but also underscore the importance of individual life circumstances and one's sexuality in shaping its expression throughout adulthood. Future research should further investigate the dynamics among partnered sexual practices, sexual and relational problems, and masturbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Sex Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192783903
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        Value: 10.1080/00224499.2025.2489091
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 510
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      – SubjectFull: Masturbation
        Type: general
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      – SubjectFull: Human sexuality
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      – SubjectFull: Gender differences (Sociology)
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      – SubjectFull: Gay identity
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      – TitleFull: Masturbation Trajectories from Late Adolescence into Mid-Adulthood: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.
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            NameFull: Ivanova, Anna
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            NameFull: Fluit, Sam
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            NameFull: Fischer, Nantje
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              M: 05
              Text: May2026
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              Y: 2026
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