Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between openness to new experience, extraversion, spirituality, gender and sexual attitudes in Irish college students. In a correlational mixed method design, the participants were given a set of three quantitative self-report questionnaires with one additional qualitative question. The analysis showed a weak relationship between openness and sexual communion. Spirituality was found to correlate positively with communion and negatively with permissiveness. Significant gender differences were found for sexual permissiveness. Research into the area of sexual attitudes should be continued as it seems to be changing over time and influences are not entirely clear yet. Author keywords: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between openness to new experience, extraversion, spirituality, gender and sexual attitudes in Irish college students. In a correlational mixed method design, the participants were given a set of three quantitative self-report questionnaires with one additional qualitative question. The analysis showed a weak relationship between openness and sexual communion. Spirituality was found to correlate positively with communion and negatively with permissiveness. Significant gender differences were found for sexual permissiveness. Research into the area of sexual attitudes should be continued as it seems to be changing over time and influences are not entirely clear yet. Keywords: Sexual attitudes, spirituality, openness to new experience, extraversion