Article Feed - This Week in Sexual Health

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Abstract

Approximately half of Japanese men aged 20-49 years have purchased sexual services, but data concerning the use of commercial sex work (CSW) in Japan remain scarce.

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Article Details

Title:
Factors associated with lifetime use of commercial sex work services among Japanese men aged 20-49: findings from a quasi-representative national survey, 2022.

Author(s):
Ghaznavi C; Ueda P; Nomura S; Ishikane M; Uno S; Sakamoto H

Summary:
Many men in Japan have paid for sexual services, but there isn't much information about how often this happens.

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pubmed id: 38871450 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

The development of human sexual orientation remains a complex and multifaceted subject. It is often studied but its origins continue to elude us. In this preregistered study, our primary objective was to demonstrate the fraternal birth order effect (FBOE), which assumes a higher prevalence of older brothers in gay men than in their straight counterparts and which has also been recently recorded in lesbian women. Our second aim was to explore any potential impact of the FBOE on anal-erotic role orientation (AERO), both in gay and straight men. Our study sample included 693 gay men, 843 straight men, 265 lesbian women, and 331 straight women from Czechia and Slovakia. Employing a conventionally parameterized logistic regression model, we substantiated the FBOE among both gay men (OR = 1.35 for maternal older brothers) and lesbian women (OR = 1.71). These outcomes were confirmed by a more nuanced parameterization recently proposed by Blanchard (2022). Nonmaternal older brothers did not exhibit a significant influence on their younger brothers' sexual orientation. Contrary to some earlier reports, however, our data did not establish the FBOE as exclusive to gay men with the receptive AERO. Furthermore, our observations indicated a lower offspring count for mothers of gay men compared to mothers of straight men. Emphasizing the positive FBOE outcomes, we acknowledge the need for caution regarding the various options that can be used to estimate the familial influences on sexual orientation.

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Title:
Examining the Fraternal Birth Order Effect and Sexual Orientation: Insights from an East European Population.

Author(s):
Fořt J; Kunc B; Valentova JV; Bártová K; Hudáčová K

Summary:
The study looked at how having older brothers might relate to being gay or lesbian. They found that gay men and lesbian women tend to have more older brothers than straight people. They also noticed that mothers of gay men had fewer children than mothers of straight men.

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pubmed id: 38869747 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Sociosexuality refers to the tendency to engage in uncommitted sexual behavior and has been dissected into three domains: sociosexual behavior, attitudes, and desire (Penke & Asendorpf, 2008), which led to the revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R), which was validated on a German sample. The current research aimed at translating and validating an Italian version (I-SOI-R), administered to three distinct Italian participant groups. In the first sample (N = 710, females = 521, age = 18-59 years), we found evidence for a bifactor model, articulated in a general sociosexuality factor and three specific factors (behavior, attitudes, desire). High internal consistency was established for total and subscale scores, alongside favorable test-retest reliability. A connection was found between relationship status and sociosexual desire, though not gender dependent. We found evidence for test-retest reliability in a second sample (N = 55, females = 37, age 20-58 years). In a third study (N = 305, females = 147, age = 19-60 years), the earlier findings were replicated, further confirming the I-SOI-R's construct, criterion, and nomological validity on an online sample. Combining data from the three studies revealed full configural, metric, and scalar invariance regarding gender. This allowed us to meaningfully compare the observed scores of women and men and replicated the finding that men display higher levels of unrestricted sociosexuality. In conclusion, the I-SOI-R may serve as a valuable tool to assess and enhance sexual health, albeit warranting future research on construct and criterion validity.

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Article Details

Title:
Psychometric Characteristics of the Italian Version of the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory.

Author(s):
Ciocca G; Giorgini R; Petrocchi L; Origlia G; Occhiuto G; Aversa A; Liuzza MT

Summary:
The research paper talks about a study that translated a test about people's feelings and actions related to uncommitted relationships into Italian. They checked this test with different groups of people in Italy and found it worked well for both men and women. The test showed that men generally have more open attitudes towards uncommitted relationships than women.

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pubmed id: 38866968 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Across sub-Saharan Africa, there remains disagreement among local expert providers over the best ways to improve access to assisted reproduction in low-income contexts. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted between 2021 and 2023 with 19 fertility specialists and 11 embryologists and one clinic manager from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda to explore issues surrounding access and potential low-cost IVF options. Lack of access to ART was variously conceptualised as a problem of high cost of treatment; lack of public funding for medical services and medication; poor policy awareness and prioritisation of fertility problems; a shortage of ART clinics and well-trained expert staff; the need for patients to travel long distances; and over-servicing within the largely privatised sector. All fertility specialists agreed that government funding for public sector assisted reproduction services was necessary to address access in the region. Other suggestions included: reduced medication costs by using mild stimulation protocols and oocyte retrievals under sedation instead of general anaesthetics. Insufficient data on low-cost interventions was cited as a barrier to their implementation. The lack of skilled embryologists on the continent was considered a major limitation to expanding ART services and the success of low-cost IVF systems. Very few specialists suggested that profits of pharmaceutical companies or ART clinics might be reduced to lessen the costs of treatments.

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Article Details

Title:
Access to assisted reproductive technologies in sub-Saharan Africa: fertility professionals' views.

Author(s):
Whittaker A; Gerrits T; Hammarberg K; Manderson L

Summary:
Experts in sub-Saharan Africa disagree on how to make assisted reproduction more available for people who can't afford it. They interviewed doctors and clinic staff from different countries, who said that high costs, not enough clinics, and lack of government support are big problems. They suggested cheaper treatments and better training for workers to help more people get the care they need.

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pubmed id: 38864373 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

People tend to befriend others similar to themselves, generating a pattern called homophily. However, existing studies on friendship patterns often rely on surveys that assess the perspective of relatively few participants on their friendships but do not measure actualized friendship patterns. Here, we used data from a large Slovakian online social network to assess the role of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) in same-gender online connections among more than 400,000 users. We found that age and BMI homophily occurred in both men's and women's same-gender connections, but somewhat more strongly among men's. Yet, as women diverged in BMI, their connections were less likely to be reciprocated. We discuss how the evolutionary legacy of men's coalitional competition (e.g., warfare) and women's mating competition or recruitment of allocare providers might contribute to these patterns in modern same-gender relationships. For example, men's engagement in physical activities may lead to similar formidability levels among their same-gender peers. Altogether, our findings highlight the importance of trait similarity to same-gender friendship patterns.

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Article Details

Title:
Exploring Within-Gender Differences in Friendships Using an Online Social Network.

Author(s):
Pollo P; Reynolds TA; Blake KR; Kasumovic MM

Summary:
People like to be friends with others who are like them. This study looked at data from a big online social network in Slovakia to see if being the same age, gender, or having a similar body mass index (BMI) affects friendships. They found that people were more likely to be friends if they were similar in age and BMI, especially among men.

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pubmed id: 38862863 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

There is scant knowledge regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among female sex workers (FSWs) in Europe. Spain recognized FSWs as a population at high risk of acquiring HIV and granted them subsidized access to PrEP when the medication first became nationally available in 2019. Nevertheless, FSWs represented just 0.2% of PrEP users in 2022. A total of 102 HIV-negative FSWs reached through field activities of local NGOs located in Madrid were interviewed between January and March 2022. Participants were selected through convenience sampling over a fixed recruitment period. FSWs completed a 73-item survey with questions about individual, occupational, social, and structural determinants. The objective of this study was to identify (1) the prevalence of intention to use oral PrEP and its determinants, and (2) the prevalence of inconsistent condom use, which is the risk factor that qualifies FSWs for subsidized PrEP in the national health system, and its determinants. Importantly, the study sample overrepresented street-based FSWs (71.6%). A quarter (25.5%) of the study participants used condoms inconsistently. PrEP awareness was low (9.8%), but intention to use PrEP was high (72.5%). Intention to use oral PrEP was significantly associated with feeling protected against HIV by taking PrEP and perceiving insufficient protection by condom use alone. Inconsistent condom use was significantly associated with frequent heroin/cocaine use, having clients who inject drugs, and willingness to take PrEP despite it not protecting 100% against HIV infection. FSWs, in this specific sample, are likely to benefit from targeted PrEP awareness campaigns and implementation projects that prioritize those who use drugs and are more likely to engage in condomless sex.

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Article Details

Title:
Determinants of Intention to Use HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Condom Use Among a Sample of Cisgender Female Sex Workers Working Mostly Outdoors in Madrid, Spain.

Author(s):
Vazquez Guillamet LJ; Valencia J; Ryan P; Cuevas-Tascón G; Del-Olmo-Morales MA; Cobo I; Lazarus JV; Chevance G

Summary:
The study looked at female sex workers in Madrid, Spain, to understand their use and awareness of HIV prevention medicine called PrEP. Even though most of them did not know about PrEP, many wanted to use it to stay safe from HIV. It also found that some did not always use condoms and had other risks, like drug use, meaning they could really benefit from learning more about PrEP.

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pubmed id: 38858230 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

This article examines how intrauterine device (IUD) self-removal is framed in online sources containing the views of contraceptive providers. While research has explored power and knowledge hierarchies in clinical interactions between contraceptive users and providers, and has highlighted the safety of IUD self-removal, little is known about how self-removal is represented by providers in accessible online sources that may be relied upon by contraceptive users for information. A discourse analysis of 42 provider-generated online sources found that provider authority over contraception is reinforced through biomedical constructions of risk and safety in framings of self-removal. The data reveal how the sharing of self-removal experiences between IUD users online platforms was perceived to threaten contraceptive provider expertise, resulting in the dismissal of users' experiential knowledge. While some sources were supportive, the framings of self-removal discussed in this paper typically mirror the unequal power relations of in-person contraceptive user/provider interactions. The sources analysed therefore demonstrate how power and knowledge hierarchies are reproduced and extend beyond clinical interactions to the digital context, reflecting broader socio-structural controls over bodies, knowledge, and reproductive decision-making.

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Article Details

Title:
Taking matters into our own hands? Hierarchies of power and knowledge in online framings of IUD self-removal.

Author(s):
Saunders K

Summary:
This paper talks about how the internet shows different views on taking out IUDs, a type of birth control, by oneself. It found that online sources usually focus on risks like doctors do, often not trusting people's own stories about removing IUDs. This shows that on the internet, experts still have more power over what people think about birth control.

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pubmed id: 38847793 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Clinically significant psychological distress affects approximately 29.3% of Australian adolescents and 80.6% of sexuality and/or gender diverse youth (SGD-Y). Often, SGD-Y experience inadequate access and lower satisfaction with mental health services, stemming from age- and sexuality and/or gender diversity-status. Accordingly, exploration of factors affecting SGD-Y's access to, and satisfaction with, mental health services is critical. Using a social constructionist lens, we explored factors supporting SGD-Y's satisfaction with mental health services, and how these needs are or could be met. Seven LGBTQA+ youth aged 15 to 21 who received counseling in Western Australia in the last year, recruited via a university student participant pool and community organizations, participated in semi-structured interviews via video-conference, phone call, or SMS. Reflexive thematic analysis was inductively applied to participants' verbatim accounts. Satisfaction was tied to participants' sense of control over their healthcare-system experiences, shaped by four themes: person-centered support during the service-access process, resources to guide the search for services, confidence in therapists, and healthcare-system organization. Practices and policies supporting SGD-Y's self-determination during their service access may allow for empowering and personally meaningful therapeutic experiences. Developers of policies and initiatives may need to adopt a systems approach to foster SGD-Y's self-determination as they access services.

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Article Details

Title:
An Exploration of Satisfaction with Mental Health Counseling Services in Western Australia Among Sexuality and Gender Diverse Youth.

Author(s):
Lim B; Newnham EA; Lobo R

Summary:
Many young people in Australia have problems with mental health, especially those who are diverse in how they identify or love. This study talked to some of these young people to see what helps them feel satisfied with mental health services. They found that having control, support, helpful resources, trust in therapists, and good organization made them happier with their care.

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pubmed id: 38833639 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Background In mid-2022 Australia's National Cervical Screening Program made self-collection of a vaginal sample an option for screening for young women or people with a cervix aged 25 to 29 years for the first time. This study explored what young women thought about, and wanted to know about, self-collection, and what their future screening preferences are. Methods Young women (n =21), aged 24-29years, were recruited through social media. Semi-structured interviews explored screening history, screening preferences and thoughts about self-collection. Data were analysed using an a priori coding framework informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results Young women valued the addition of self-collection to the national cervical screening program, believing it to be less invasive and more convenient. However, they also valued the choice to opt for a clinician-collected specimen if preferred. Conclusions Self-collection is a valuable addition to the National Cervical Screening Program. This study suggests that continued efforts are needed to raise awareness of its availability, and improve understanding about its accuracy, the ease of collection, that you still need to engage with a primary healthcare service to access it and that you can still opt for a clinician-collected test.

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Title:
What young women (aged 24-29 years) in Australia think about self-collection for cervical screening: a brief report.

Author(s):
Zammit CM; Brooks A; Brotherton JML; Nightingale CE

Summary:
In Australia, young women now have the choice to collect their own samples for cervical screening. Many think this is easier and more private, but still like having the option to let a doctor do it. More people need to know about this choice and how it works.

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pubmed id: 38833543 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

This systematic review investigated how studies have measured gender dysphoria (GD) in autistic samples and the impact of using different measures on study results. The literature search identified 339 relevant papers, with 12 of them meeting the inclusion criteria. Results showed that seven different measures of GD characteristics have been used with autistic samples and that the studies consistently reported a greater number of GD characteristics and a greater severity of GD in autistic compared to non-autistic samples. Methodological common practices were found in recruiting participants from clinical settings rather than the general population, having more autistic males than females in the samples, for studies being conducted in Europe, North America, and Oceania, and using single-item measures of GD for samples of autistic children. Issues were identified with study designs and measures of GD, suggesting a need for a more standardized multi-item self-report measure of GD for use in clinical and non-clinical samples across different ages and cultures.

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Article Details

Title:
A Systematic Review of Gender Dysphoria Measures in Autistic Samples.

Author(s):
Mears K; Rai D; Shah P; Cooper K; Ashwin C

Summary:
This research looked at how studies measure gender dysphoria in people with autism. It found that different ways of measuring can change the study results, and more autistic people showed gender dysphoria compared to those without autism. The study suggests making a new, better way to measure gender dysphoria for everyone.

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pubmed id: 38831234 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Individuals suffering from depression exhibit a higher rate of unintended pregnancies, which are associated with negative outcomes for both parents and children. Often, unintended pregnancies result from contraceptive mistakes. Here, we examine the relationship between depression and the consistency of contraceptive behavior, testing ambivalence as a possible mediator. The analyses were based on cross-sectional data from the second and third waves of the German Relationship and Family Panel Pairfam. A German-speaking sample without children (N = 190; 117 female, 73 male), who reported not attempting to conceive or become pregnant during the last 12 months, was analyzed in comparison with a propensity score matched sample. Ambivalence was operationalized as the difference between the ideal and realistic number of children in wave 2. Data from wave 3 were used to assess contraceptive behavior. Depressed mood in wave 2 and consistency of contraceptive behavior in wave 3 were negatively correlated. After including ambivalence in wave 2 as a mediator in the model, the direct path between depressed mood and consistency of contraceptive behavior remained significant, with no significant mediation found. For men only, we observed a significant negative association of ambivalence with the consistency of contraceptive behavior in the last 3 months. No significant relationship was found between depressed mood and ambivalence. We conclude that future research aiming to better understand the consistency of contraceptive behavior should incorporate measures of ambivalence.

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Article Details

Title:
Depression, Contraception, and Ambivalence Concerning Fertility.

Author(s):
Kremer S; Gerlach AL; Erbe D

Summary:
People with depression have more unplanned babies because they often make mistakes with birth control. The study looked at whether feeling unsure about wanting kids affected how well people use birth control. The study found that being depressed made people less careful with birth control, but being unsure didn't change that.

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pubmed id: 38831232 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) comes with many physical, psychological, and social changes that are often considered in isolation. This research uses a socioecological lens with a sample of 15 Australian transfeminine individuals to investigate the changes experienced during GAHT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2022, with verbatim transcripts analysed using deductive thematic analysis with Bronfenbrenner's Socioecological Model (SEM) as a framework. Analyses revealed two themes intersecting multiple levels of the SEM. Theme 1 contained two sub-themes and broadly encapsulated how interactions with others influenced GAHT experiences. Sub-theme 1 spoke to how stigma creates positive or negative experiences (through the macrosystem, the exosystem, and proximal processes), while sub-theme 2 described how GAHT causes internal changes that promoted stronger interpersonal relationships (person and proximal processes). Theme 2 described how changes occurred over time, with some changes being temporary, and others being delayed (person and time). These themes highlight the interconnected nature of the physical, psychological, and social changes and experiences that can occur during GAHT. Best-practice care for trans people undergoing GAHT needs to be multi-faceted and holistic in order to embed support across different SEM components.

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Article Details

Title:
One person, many changes: a socioecological qualitative analysis of the experiences of transfeminine individuals undergoing feminising gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Author(s):
Fowler JA; Warzywoda S; Reyment M; Crilly T; Franks N; Bisshop F; Wood P; Dean JA

Summary:
This research studied the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on 15 transfeminine people in Australia. It found that the therapy causes changes in how people feel and interact with others. The study says the support for people on this therapy should look at all areas of their life.

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pubmed id: 38829652 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Sexual risk behavior (SRB) includes behavioral (sex without contraception, sexualized substance use, sex work, sexual partner violence, other sexual activities that harm oneself or others) and affective subtypes (sexuality-related feelings of shame/guilt, relationship impairments) and leads to psychosocial and health-related consequences. Young adults comprise a vulnerable group regarding the development of SRB. The study aimed to identify SRB patterns among young adults and their relation to sexuality-related risk factors. A cross-sectional online survey measured behavioral and affective aspects of SRB with nine items. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify patterns of SRB. Gender, sexual orientation, age of first intercourse, number of sexual partners, hypersexuality, and sexual dysfunction were captured as risk factors via multinomial logistic regression. Within this convenience sample (n = 609; n = 365; n = 245; M = 23.1 years), the SRB patterns unremarkable (67%; low values in all SRB subtypes), shame-ridden (17%; high values in sexual feelings of shame/guilt) and risky sexual behavior (16%; high values in all subtypes of SRB, especially sexualized drug use) were identified. The shame-ridden and risky patterns were strongly associated with higher hypersexuality values, the risky pattern moreover with being non-heterosexual, of younger age at first sexual experience, and a higher number of sexual partners. Male and sexual minority participants demonstrated SRB more often than females and heterosexuals. Within prevention and treatment of SRB, it seems beneficial to address sexuality-related feelings of shame/guilt and addictive patterns (concerning sexual behaviors/substances) via gender- and diversity-sensitive measurements.

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Article Details

Title:
Patterns of Sexual Risk Behaviors and Sexuality-Related Risk Factors among Young Adults in Germany: Implications for Prevention and Therapy.

Author(s):
Jepsen D; Healy KV; Bernard M; Markert J; Brzank PJ

Summary:
The study looked at how young adults behave in terms of risky sexual activities and related feelings. It found three main patterns: not risky, feeling shame or guilt, and risky behavior involving drugs. The risky group often had more sexual partners, were younger when they first had sex, and included more males and non-heterosexuals.

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pubmed id: 38816590 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

An attentional bias toward infant versus adult faces has been detected in parents and positively associated with sensitive caregiving behaviors. In previous research, the attentional bias has been measured as the difference in attention, in terms of reaction times, captured by infant versus adult faces; the larger the difference, the greater the cognitive engagement that adults deployed to infant faces. However, research so far has been mostly confined to samples of mothers, who have been more represented than fathers. Moreover, new family forms, especially same-sex families of men, have been left out of research. To clarify potential sex differences and extend previous findings to diverse family forms, we implemented a modified Go/no-Go attentional task measuring attentional bias to infant faces in parents with children aged from 2 to 36 months. The sample (N = 86) was matched and included 22 fathers and 22 mothers from different-sex families and 20 fathers and 22 mothers from same-sex families. Overall, the results confirmed that infant faces induced a greater attentional bias compared to adult faces. Moreover, we found that neither the type of family nor parents' sex modulated the attentional bias toward infant faces. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of understanding the correlates of parental response to infant cues going beyond a heteronormative perspective on parenting.

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Article Details

Title:
Neither Parents' Sex Nor the Type of Family Modulates Attentional Bias Toward Infant Faces: A Preliminary Study in Different-Sex and Same-Sex Parents.

Author(s):
Gemignani M; Giannotti M; Rigo P; Venuti P; de Falco S

Summary:
Parents tend to pay more attention to baby faces than adult faces, and this is linked to caring well for their babies. Researchers did a study to see if dads and different kinds of families also show this pattern and found that all parents, no matter their sex or family type, focused more on baby faces.

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pubmed id: 38811490 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Background Launched in 2016 by Prevention Access Campaign, the 'Undetectable=Untransmittable' (U=U) campaign empowers people living with HIV to live full social, sexual and reproductive lives, dismantle stigma, promote increased treatment access, and advocate for updated HIV guidelines. Methods Key priorities for promoting improvements to community-centred, evidence-informed U=U policy and research were the focus of a half-day global roundtable held in 2023 alongside the 12th International AIDS Society Conference in Brisbane, Australia. After a series of presentations, experts in U=U research, policymaking, advocacy and HIV clinical care participated in facilitated discussions, and detailed notes were taken on issues related to advancing U=U policy and research. Results Expert participants shared that knowledge and trust in U=U remains uneven, and is largely concentrated among people living with HIV, particularly those connected to gay and bisexual networks. It was agreed that there is a need to ensure all members of priority populations are explicitly included in U=U policies that promote U=U. Participants also identified a need for policymakers, healthcare professionals, advocates and researchers to work closely with community-based organisations to ensure the U=U message is relevant, useful, and utilised in the HIV response. Adopting language, such as 'zero risk', was identified as crucial when describing undetectable viral load as an effective HIV prevention strategy. Conclusion U=U can have significant benefits for the mental and physical wellbeing of people living with HIV. There is an urgent need to address the structural barriers to HIV care and treatment access to ensure the full benefits of U=U are realised.

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Article Details

Title:
2023 Undetectable = Untransmittable global policy roundtable report: a multistakeholder perspective on Undetectable = Untransmittable research and policy priorities.

Author(s):
Wells N; Richman B; Grace D; Riley B; Hui C; Vojnov L; Stackpool-Moore L; Ong JJ; Dowell-Day A; Allan B

Summary:
The "Undetectable=Untransmittable" campaign helps people with HIV live better lives by reducing stigma and improving treatment access. Experts say we need more understanding and trust in the U=U message, especially for all groups affected by HIV. They also suggest that using clear language like "zero risk" can help spread the message better.

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pubmed id: 38801749 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated shelter-in-place ordinances passed in the first year of the pandemic rapidly limited access to in-person social interactions, raising concerns of diminishing social support and community cohesion while psychological stressors increased. For LGBTQIA+ people, connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community is known to buffer against the harmful effects of stressors and decrease risks for poor psychological and behavioral health outcomes. The current study uses qualitative cross-sectional and trajectory analysis methods to characterize how LGBTQIA+ people's perceptions of community connectedness shifted during the first year of the pandemic. A convenience sample of LGBTQIA+-identified people in the U.S. completed an initial online survey in September 2020 ( = 298 and a follow-up survey in September 2021 ( = 129). The survey included changes in connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community since the pandemic's beginning. Thus, we used both cross-sectional (between-person analyses) and longitudinal trajectory (within-person analyses) qualitative approaches to understanding changes in LGBTQIA+ people's sense of connection to the LGBTQIA+ community across the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight cross-cutting themes (related to identity shifts/exploration, disconnection, online connections, and increased awareness of social justice issues) were identified and then organized within each level of the Social-Ecological Model of LGBTQIA+ wellbeing (i.e., the individual-, couple-, interpersonal-, organizational-, community-, and chronosystem- level). Given the importance of social support for LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, more longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these changes persist after the resolution of the acute phase of the pandemic.

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Article Details

Title:
Community (dis)connectedness and identity among LGBTQIA+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative cross-sectional and longitudinal trajectory study.

Author(s):
Wootton AR; Soled KRS; Puckett JA; Garrett-Walker JJ; Hill AP; Delucio K; Veldhuis CB

Summary:
The study looked at how LGBTQIA+ people felt about their community during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that their sense of connection changed, with themes like identity exploration and online connections being important. Researchers believe more studies are needed to see if these changes last after the pandemic.

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pubmed id: 38800743 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

This study aimed to understand young gay men's experiences of social support, relationships, community networks, talking about psychological distress, and their impact on distress and wellbeing. Eight verbatim transcriptions from semi-structured interviews with gay men aged 18-35 years were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three super-ordinate themes were developed; 1) Growing up gay in a straight world: Developmental traumas, regarding men's experiences of homophobic abuse and exclusion and the internalized impact on their identities and identity concealment. 2) Belonging and not belonging within LGBTQ+ communities, encompassing men's varied experiences of LGBTQ+ communities and the corresponding impacts upon their wellbeing. 3) Relational responses to rejection, describing how men made sense of and managed their relationships within the context of the developmental traumas they had experienced growing up as gay men. These findings illuminate the psychological impact of experiencing multiple developmental traumas related to one's identity as a gay man, and how this influences lifelong relational behavior; and how experiences of social support, relationships and LGBTQ+ communities influence men's mental health. They provide a strong rationale for psychological interventions to acknowledge and address gay men's unique and adverse social experiences within their relationships, communities and societies.

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Article Details

Title:
" A Qualitative Study of Gay Men's Experiences of Social Support, Relationships and Community in Relation to Psychological Wellbeing and Distress.

Author(s):
Joyce E; Pratt D; Lea J

Summary:
This study looked at the lives of young gay men and how their support, relationships, and communities affect their feelings and mental health. It found that growing up gay can be hard, especially if they face bullying or feel left out. The research suggests helping gay men by understanding their experiences and offering support.

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pubmed id: 38787790 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Understanding one's sexual orientation plays a significant role in contributing to one's sexual identity and developing a coherent sense of self. Misconceptions and prevailing prejudices make it difficult for bisexual individuals to navigate their sexual identities in many societies. Disclosure of one's identity is accompanied by certain risks depending on how the information is received. However, disclosing one's identity can also be positive, especially as it assists in fostering relationships. This article derives from a descriptive study involving 14 semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 18-24 who identified as bisexual. Data were subjected to a reflexive thematic analysis. Themes of invalidation, belongingness and reclaiming through 'inviting in' were identified. By processing the feelings of invalidation regarding their bisexual identities which were placed upon them by their respective cultural groups, and society in general, participants were able to develop a sense of agency and reclaim their power. Findings highlight the need for further research on bisexuality, particularly in South Africa, and the need to understand how bisexual identity development occurs in interaction with other sexual and gender identities.

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Article Details

Title:
The juxtaposition of invalidation and "inviting in": a qualitative study of bisexual identity in South Africa.

Author(s):
Petinger C; Jackson K; Andipatin M

Summary:
The study talks about how being bisexual can be hard because of misunderstandings and prejudices. Bisexual people can feel hurt by others, but talking about it can help make friends and feel stronger. The research suggests we need to learn more about being bisexual, especially in South Africa.

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pubmed id: 38779907 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Syphilis remains a pressing public health concern with potential severe morbidity if left untreated. To improve syphilis screening, targeted interventions are crucial, especially in at-risk populations. This systematic review synthesises studies that compare syphilis screening in the presence and absence of an intervention. A systematic search of four databases was conducted (Medline, Embase, Cinahl and Scopus). The primary outcomes evaluated included syphilis screening, re-screening and detection rates. Findings were synthesised narratively. Where multiple studies were clinically heterogenous, a pooled odds ratio was calculated. Twenty-four studies were included. A variety of interventions showed promise including clinician alerts, which increased syphilis screening rate (OR range, 1.25-1.45) and patient SMS reminders that mostly improved re-screening/re-attendance rates (OR range, 0.93-4.4). Coupling syphilis serology with routine HIV monitoring increased the proportion of HIV-positive individuals undergoing both tests. However, pooling three studies with this intervention using the outcome of syphilis detection rate yielded inconclusive results (pooled OR 1.722 [95% CI 0.721-2.723], I 2 =24.8%, P =0.264). The introduction of hospital-based packaged testing for screening high-risk individuals is unique given hospitals are not typical locations for public health initiatives. Nurse-led clinics and clinician incentives were successful strategies. Including syphilis screening with other existing programs has potential to increase screening rates (OR range, 1.06-2.08), but requires further investigation. Technology-driven interventions produced cost-effective, feasible and positive outcomes. Challenges were evident in achieving guideline-recommended screening frequencies for men who have sex with men, indicating the need for multifaceted approaches. Wider application of these interventions may improve syphilis screening and detection rates.

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Article Details

Title:
Interventions aimed at increasing syphilis screening among non-pregnant individuals in healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Author(s):
Moncrieff L; O'Reilly M; Hall L; Heal C

Summary:
Syphilis is a serious health problem that needs to be checked for early. Different ways, like text message reminders and alerts for doctors, help more people get tested. Using technology and working with other health programs also help, but more research is needed to make them even better.

Meta:
pubmed id: 38771948 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) have gained increased attention and discussion in recent years. This prevalence is accompanied by a shift in perceptions of BDSM, including the declassification of sadomasochism as a paraphilic disorder. Evolutionary psychology offers a unique perspective of why some individuals are interested in BDSM and why some prefer certain elements of BDSM over others (e.g., dominance versus submission). In this paper, we examine BDSM from an evolutionary standpoint, examining biopsychosocial factors that underlie the BDSM interests and practice. We articulate this perspective via an exploration of: proximate processes, such as the role of childhood experiences, sexual conditioning, and physiological factors; as well as ultimate explanations for power play and pain play dimensions of BDSM, highlighting the potential adaptive advantages of each. While BDSM may not be adaptive in itself, we examine the literature of sex differences in BDSM role preferences and argue that these preferences may stem from the extreme forms of behaviors which enhance reproductive success. In the realm of pain play, we explore the intersection of pain and pleasure from both physiological and psychological perspectives, highlighting the crucial role of psychological and play partner factors in modulating the experience of pain. Finally, we encourage future research in social sciences to utilize evolutionary frameworks to further explore the subject and help alleviate the mystification surrounding BDSM. This multifaceted exploration of BDSM provides valuable insights for clinicians, kink-identified individuals, and scholars seeking to understand the evolutionary perspectives of human sexual behavior and preferences.

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Article Details

Title:
An Evolutionary Psychological Approach Toward BDSM Interest and Behavior.

Author(s):
Larva MA; Rantala MJ

Summary:
BDSM, which stands for Bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadism/Masochism, is being talked about more these days. This study looks at why some people like BDSM by using ideas from evolutionary psychology. It explores how childhood experiences and other factors might affect whether someone likes to play dominant or submissive roles.

Meta:
pubmed id: 38769280 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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February 9th, 2025

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