A mixed methods evaluation of the relationship between purity culture and sexual shame

Purity Culture is the term used for the Evangelical movement that attempts to promote a biblical view of purity by promoting virginity before marriage, often using tools such as purity pledges, purity rings, and events such as purity balls. Studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between purity culture and the role of sexual shame. Sexual shame can negatively affect one's sexuality. This dissertation is a mixed methods parallel design study to explore the relationship between purity culture and sexual shame. The overarching research question is: what is the relationship between purity culture and sexual shame? This is one of the only known studies on this topic. The dissertation included two studies – a quantitative study (n = 315) and a qualitative study (n = 27). The first study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine multiple pathways associated with purity culture and sexual shame. The second study explored the link between purity culture and sexual shame using qualitative interviews. In study 1, no relationship was found between purity culture and sexual shame. However, we did find that religiosity mediated the relationship between purity culture beliefs and sexual shame. In study 2, all participants shared their experiences with purity culture and the resulting sexual shame. We found that participants struggled with initiating intimate relationships and participating in intimate relationships. Additionally, all participants were either in the process of deprogramming from purity culture or had already deprogrammed from purity culture. Implications of this dissertation are crucial due to the impact of purity culture and sexual shame on intimate relationships and mental health. Future research should further explore the relationship between purity culture and sexual shame, further explore the role of deprogramming, and look at if time spent deprogrammed from purity culture influences the level and severity of sexual shame.Kinesiology and Health Educatio