Abstract How do singles' strategies for engaging in sexual activity with a new partner vary across the adult lifespan? Using three large and independent demographically representative cross-sectional samples of heterosexual single adults in the U.S., we found that females approaching the typical age of menopause became less likely to establish relationship exclusivity prior to sexual activity with a new partner. However, after the typical age of menopausal onset, females returned to earlier levels of commitment choosiness. These changes in commitment choosiness surrounding the age of menopause were consistent across two studies (including a larger dataset combining two samples). Findings suggest that single females approaching menopause—a major life history milestone—alter their behavior to achieve reproductively relevant partnering goals but abandon this mating strategy once the typical reproductive period has ended. Males exhibited similar, though attenuated, changes in expected relationship commitment before sexual activity during midlife as well. Age-related changes in commitment corresponded with the amount of stress expressed regarding one's “biological clock”. However, reduced commitment choosiness did not vary with frequency of sexual thoughts, frequency of sexual behaviors, or external pressures to find a romantic partner. Results are discussed in terms of life history theory and sex differences in sexuality.

中文翻译：

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男女单身加速生殖：女性更年期前后性时间策略的变化

摘要 单身人士与新伴侣发生性行为的策略在成年期有何不同？使用美国异性恋单身成年人的三个大型且独立的人口统计代表性横断面样本，我们发现接近典型更年期年龄的女性在与新伴侣发生性行为之前不太可能建立关系排他性。然而，在更年期开始的典型年龄之后，女性恢复到早期的承诺挑剔水平。这些围绕更年期年龄的承诺选择的变化在两项研究中是一致的（包括结合两个样本的更大数据集）。研究结果表明，接近更年期的单身女性会改变她们的行为以实现与生殖相关的伴侣目标，但一旦典型的生殖期结束就放弃这种交配策略。男性在中年期间性活动前的预期关系承诺方面也表现出类似但减弱的变化。与年龄相关的承诺变化与表达一个人的“生物钟”的压力量相对应。然而，承诺选择的减少并不随性想法的频率、性行为的频率或寻找浪漫伴侣的外部压力而变化。结果根据生活史理论和性行为的性别差异进行了讨论。尽管有所减弱，但中年期间性活动前预期关系承诺的变化也是如此。与年龄相关的承诺变化与表达的关于“生物钟”的压力量相对应。然而，承诺选择的减少并不随性想法的频率、性行为的频率或寻找浪漫伴侣的外部压力而变化。结果根据生活史理论和性行为的性别差异进行了讨论。尽管有所减弱，但中年期间性活动前预期关系承诺的变化也是如此。与年龄相关的承诺变化与表达一个人的“生物钟”的压力量相对应。然而，承诺选择的减少并不随性想法的频率、性行为的频率或寻找浪漫伴侣的外部压力而变化。结果根据生活史理论和性行为的性别差异进行了讨论。或寻找浪漫伴侣的外部压力。结果根据生活史理论和性行为的性别差异进行了讨论。或寻找浪漫伴侣的外部压力。结果根据生活史理论和性行为的性别差异进行了讨论。