Article Feed - This Week in Sexual Health

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Abstract

Anecdotal reports suggest that partner services (PS) are less successful among people with repeat sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses and/or previous PS interactions. We examine whether having repeated STI diagnoses and/or PS interactions is associated with PS outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM).

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Article Details

Title:
Previous Sexually Transmitted Infections and Partner Services Interviews as Predictors of Subsequent Interview Completion Among Cisgender MSM: Partner Services Fatigue?

Author(s):
Barry MP; Thibault CS; Berzkalns A; Spellman DR; Rowlinson E; Barbee LA; Golden MR; Kerani RP

Summary:
The research looks at whether having more than one STI and working with partner services before affects how well partner services work for men who have sex with men. They want to see if people with repeat STI are less successful with partner services.

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pubmed id: 37213183 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Similar to other sexual minorities, asexual individuals often face prejudice and stereotyping. However, the source of these attitudes and beliefs is not well understood. We hypothesized that asexual stereotypes stem from the belief that sexual attraction is an inevitable part of human development. This attraction inevitability assumption can lead to the deduction that people who identify as asexual do so because they are going through a transitory stage or excusing socially avoidant tendencies. To test this stereotype deduction account, we examined whether specific asexual stereotypes (immaturity and non-sociality) were associated with adherence to the attraction inevitability assumption. Heterosexual participants (N = 322; 201 women, 114 men; mean age 34.6 yrs.) from the UK and the US read vignettes describing a target character that was either asexual or heterosexual. People who assumed that attraction is inevitable were more likely to evaluate asexual targets (but not heterosexual targets) as immature and non-social. The impact of the sexual inevitability assumption was present even when social dominance orientation, an attitude closely related to negativity toward all sexual minorities, was accounted for. Participants who adhered to the attraction inevitability assumption also showed a reduced inclination to befriend asexual individuals. These findings suggest that generalized negativity toward sexual minorities does not fully explain stereotypes and prejudice against asexual people. Instead, the current study highlights how perceived deviation from the shared understanding of sexuality uniquely contributes to anti-asexual bias.

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Article Details

Title:
Beliefs About the Inevitability of Sexual Attraction Predict Stereotypes About Asexuality.

Author(s):
Zivony A; Reggev N

Summary:
This research found that people often think asexual individuals are immature and not social because they believe everyone should feel sexual attraction. This view leads to misunderstanding and prejudice against asexual people. The study showed that these beliefs make people less likely to want to be friends with someone who is asexual.

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pubmed id: 37212956 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

The experiences of sexual minority men who report self-perceived problematic pornography use is under theorised and not well understood despite controversial and conflicting research into the phenomena in heterosexual male populations. This study aimed to widen the conversation to consider the experience of sexuality in relation to self-perceived problematic pornography use, rather than contribute to literature that debates the definition and aetiology of problematic pornography use. Semi-structured online qualitative interviews were conducted with three sexual minority men who self-reported problematic pornography use. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to develop themes. Five themes pertinent to understanding the participants' experiences with problematic pornography use were developed: problematised sexuality, pornography as liberator, pornography as corrupter, reform, and relapse and restore. The themes highlight three men's relationship with their sexuality as a feature of their self-perceived problematic pornography use. The research suggests that idiographic experiences of self-perceived problematic pornography use are influenced and maintained by an incongruent and conflicting relationship between an individual's own experiences of sexuality and self-perceptions of pornography use. Limitations and future research recommendations are discussed.

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Article Details

Title:
The paradox of pornography - sexuality and problematic pornography use.

Author(s):
Thomas H; Binnie J

Summary:
This study looked at three men who felt they had a problem with using pornography. The study found five important themes about how they felt, including seeing their sexuality as a problem and viewing pornography both as freeing and harmful. It suggests that their feelings about their sexuality and pornography use greatly affect their experiences.

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pubmed id: 37212017 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Intersex people and those with variations of sex characteristics face significant health and social issues. This paper analyses the complexities of adult healthcare for this diverse population, including the root causes of deficiencies in care provision. Many minors with variations of sex characteristics are subjected to irreversible, non-consensual medical interventions, which can have negative effects on their health and wellbeing as adults. This 'emergency' approach to intersex paediatric healthcare has been challenged since the 1990s, but there is still a lack of understanding about how the paradigm affects adult care. This paper aims to raise awareness of the health challenges faced by adults with variations of sex characteristics. It identifies themes related to the challenges associated with accessing appropriate adult care, including the repercussions of childhood treatment, the lack of transitional services and psychological support, the limited general medical knowledge about variations of sex characteristics, and the reluctance to access services due to fear of stigma or past medical trauma. The paper indicates the need for more attention to intersex people's health needs as adults, moving away from attempts to 'fix' them as minors towards approaches which consider and provide for their diverse healthcare needs in a broader temporal context.

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Article Details

Title:
Navigating the complexities of adult healthcare for individuals with variations of sex characteristics: from paediatric emergencies to a sense of abandonment.

Author(s):
Crocetti D; Berry A; Monro S

Summary:
The paper talks about the health problems that intersex people face when they grow up, especially because of treatments they got as kids. These treatments are not always good for them, and the paper says more doctors need to understand their needs and treat them better as adults. It also says intersex people need more support and shouldn't feel scared to go to the doctor.

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pubmed id: 37199261 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Family planning researchers have traditionally focused efforts on understanding contraceptive non-use and promoting contraceptive uptake. Recently, however, more scholars have been exploring method dissatisfaction, questioning the assumption that contraceptive users necessarily have their needs met. Here, we introduce the concept of "non-preferred method use", which we define as the use of one contraceptive method while having the desire to use a different method. Non-preferred method use reflects barriers to contraceptive autonomy and may contribute to method discontinuation. We use survey data collected from 2017 to 2018 to better understand non-preferred contraceptive method use among 1210 reproductive-aged family planning users in Burkina Faso. We operationalise non-preferred method use as both (1) use of a method that was not the user's original preference and (2) use of a method while reporting preference for another method. Using these two approaches, we describe the prevalence of non-preferred method use, reasons for using non-preferred methods, and patterns in non-preferred method use by current and preferred methods. We find that 7% of respondents reported using a method they did not desire at the time of adoption, 33% would use a different method if they could and 37% report at least one form of non-preferred method use. Many women cite facility-level barriers, such as providers refusing to give them their preferred method, as reasons for non-preferred method use. The high prevalence of non-preferred method use reflects the obstacles that women face when attempting to fulfil their contraceptive desires. Further research on reasons for use of non-preferred methods is necessary to promote contraceptive autonomy.

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Article Details

Title:
Prevalence of non-preferred family planning methods among reproductive-aged women in Burkina Faso: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study.

Author(s):
Bullington BW; Sawadogo N; Tumlinson K; Langer A; Soura A; Zabre P; Sie A; Senderowicz L

Summary:
The research talks about how some people use birth control methods they don't really want because of barriers, like not getting what they ask for at clinics. The study found that many women in Burkina Faso experience this issue, highlighting the need for better choices and understanding of birth control preferences.

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pubmed id: 37195714 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

We present experiences of transgender women (TW) who have sex with men with SMARTtest, a smartphone app to accompany the INSTI Multiplex, a one-minute, dual blood-based HIV/syphilis rapid test. TW participants (N = 11) received 10 INSTI Multiplex tests to take home for self- and/or partner-testing and installed the SMARTtest app on their phones. The SMARTtest app aimed to support INSTI Multiplex users in correctly performing the test, interpreting the results, and connecting with care following a positive HIV or syphilis screening. After 3 months, users completed in-depth interviews on their experiences. A total of 9 TW used SMARTtest with partners. App feedback was positive, but refining is necessary. Specifically, TW reported that SMARTtest is easy to use and convenient; instructions on how to use the INSTI Multiplex presented on the app were helpful to complete procedures correctly; the most frequently used feature on SMARTtest was the information on clinics that offered confirmatory testing; and participants and their partners were not concerned about app privacy but reported that this could change if INSTI Multiplex detected an HIV-positive result. Further, participants provided recommendations on how to improve SMARTtest, and changes were mostly related to features, content, functionality, navigation, and overall "look" of the app. SMARTtest is promising to facilitate INSTI Multiplex use in TW. User feedback should be integrated in future versions.

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Article Details

Title:
Transgender Women's Experiences Using SMARTtest, a Smartphone Application to Facilitate Self- and Partner-HIV/Syphilis Testing Using the INSTI Multiplex.

Author(s):
Rael CT; Kutner BA; Lentz C; Lopez-Ríos J; Dolezal C; Arumugam S; Sia SK; Balán IC

Summary:
The study looked at how transgender women used a smartphone app called SMARTtest to help with at-home HIV and syphilis testing. People found the app helpful and easy to use, especially for finding clinics for more tests. They gave ideas to make the app better for the future.

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pubmed id: 37188893 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Despite recent advances in the measurement of sex, gender, and sexual orientation in large-scale cohort studies, the three concepts are still gaining relatively little attention, may be mistakenly equated, or non-informatively operationalized. The resulting imprecise or lacking information hereon in studies is problematic, as sex, gender, and sexual orientation are important health-related factors. Omission of these concepts from general population cohort studies might dismiss participants' identity and experiences and pushes research on sexual or gender minority populations toward purposive sampling, potentially introducing selection bias. It also reinforces the unintentional notion of irrelevance of these concepts to health research, ultimately disadvantaging sexual and gender minority populations. Similarly, a lack of uniform measures on sex, gender, and sexual orientation hampers multi-cohort studies in which data from multiple studies are combined, facilitating increased statistical power. This paper discusses the encountered pitfalls and lessons learned on including and assessing sex, gender, and sexual orientation in large-scale general population cohort studies, exemplified by the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study. Additionally, we propose hands-on strategies on how to operationalize these concepts in an inclusive manner that is useful for large-scale general population cohort studies.

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Article Details

Title:
How to Ensure Inclusivity in Large-Scale General Population Cohort Studies? Lessons Learned with Regard to Including and Assessing Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation.

Author(s):
Ballering AV; Burke SM; Maeckelberghe ELM; Rosmalen JGM

Summary:
Researchers are finding it hard to study sex, gender, and sexual orientation properly in big studies. This is bad because these things are important for health, and ignoring them can leave out people's true identities and experiences. This paper talks about the problems and gives ideas on how to study these topics better.

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pubmed id: 37186037 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

It is well-known that trans and non-binary individuals experience worse health outcomes due to experiences of violence and discrimination. For this reason, accessible healthcare for trans and non-binary people is crucial. There is a lack of Canadian literature on the experiences of non-binary people within the healthcare system. This study sought to understand barriers to healthcare among non-binary people living in a mid-sized urban/rural region of Canada. Interviews were conducted between November 2019 to March 2020 with 12 non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, living in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, as a part of a larger qualitative study exploring experiences within the community, healthcare and employment. Three broad themes were developed: erasure, barriers to access to healthcare, and assessing whether (or not) to come out. Sub-themes included institutional erasure, informational erasure, general healthcare barriers, medical transition healthcare barriers, anticipated discrimination, and assessing safety. Policy and institutional changes are needed to increase the safety and accessibility of healthcare services to non-binary individuals.

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Article Details

Title:
'I don't want to have to teach every medical provider': barriers to care among non-binary people in the Canadian healthcare system.

Author(s):
Burchell D; Coleman T; Travers R; Aversa I; Schmid E; Coulombe S; Wilson C; Woodford MR; Davis C

Summary:
Non-binary people often have a hard time getting good healthcare because they face unfair treatment and violence. This study talks about the problems non-binary people in Canada have when trying to get healthcare, like being ignored or treated unfairly. The study suggests that changes are needed to make healthcare better and safer for them.

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pubmed id: 37173293 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

While there are studies regarding the neural correlates of human facial attractiveness, there are few investigations considering neural responses for body form attractiveness. The most prominent physical feature defining men's attractiveness is their physical fitness and upper body strength. Shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR), a sexually dimorphic trait in humans, is an indicator of men's attractiveness for both men and women. The current study is the first to report on the neurophysiological responses to male and female body forms varying in SHR in healthy heterosexual men and women observers. Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were acquired while participants completed an oddball task as well as a subsequent attractiveness judgement task. Behavioral results showed larger SHRs were considered more attractive than smaller SHRs, regardless of stimuli and participants' sex. The electrophysiological results for both the oddball task and the explicit judgement of attractiveness showed that brain activity related to male SHR body stimuli differed depending on the specific ratios, both at early and late processing stages. For female avatars, SHR did not modulate neural activity. Collectively the data implicate posterior brain regions in the perception of body forms that differ in attractiveness vis-a-vis variation of SHR, and frontal brain regions when such perceptions are rated explicitly.

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Article Details

Title:
Neural Correlates and Perceived Attractiveness of Male and Female Shoulder-to-Hip Ratio in Men and Women: An EEG Study.

Author(s):
Pazhoohi F; Arantes J; Kingstone A; Pinal D

Summary:
This study looked at how people's brains react to different body shapes using a measure called shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR). The researchers found that bigger SHR was seen as more attractive for male bodies, affecting the brain differently, but SHR didn't change brain activity for female bodies. The study used special tests and brain scans to understand these reactions.

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pubmed id: 37170034 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. This disease triggers sexual dysfunction due to physiological, cognitive and mental effects. Since sexual function is often ignored in these patients, this study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling based on EX‑PLISSIT model on improving the sexual function of married women with SLE. This clinical trial was conducted on 101 married women suffering from SLE (18-49 years) residing in Tehran. Randomization was performed by random block allocation with six blocks in a rheumatology clinic. A demographic questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 Items (DASS-21), and the female sexual function index were used to collect the data. The intervention group received counselling sessions every week while the control group (n = 55) received routine care for the disease. Eight and twelve weeks after completion of counselling sessions, outcomes compared between the intervention and control groups, using independent ttest, paired t-test, repeated measures and Chi-squared test. The scores of sexual function in both groups did not differ significantly before the intervention ( > 0.05). At the first follow-up session, the score of all sexual function domains except sexual pain increased significantly in the intervention group while a significant reduction was observed in all domains of sexual function in the control group ( < 0.05). In the second follow-up, sexual function significantly increased in the intervention group whereas it significantly decreased in the control group ( < 0.05). According to the findings of this study, counseling based on EX-PLISSIT model positively affected the sexual function of women with SLE. Therefore, this model can be used as a cost-effective and simple counseling method to improve the sexual functions.

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Article Details

Title:
The Effect of Sexual Counseling Based on EX‑PLISSIT Model on Improving the Sexual Function of Married Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Author(s):
Shami M; Montazeri A; Faezi ST; Behboodi Moghadam Z

Summary:
The study looked at how special counseling helped married women with a disease called SLE feel better about their personal relationships. Women who got the counseling felt better, while those who didn’t get counseling did not improve. The researchers say this method could be a simple and cheap way to help women with SLE.

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pubmed id: 37168977 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Sexuality is an integral part of our existence. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can complicate the lifelong course of sexual development and the ways in which one defines and expresses sexuality. Unfortunately, these issues are not adequately addressed by the health professionals involved in the rehabilitation process. Present research attempts to study the effect that can arise on the sexual and relational satisfaction of couples having a partner with MS after the implementation of a sexual rehabilitation program. 60 couples where one partner has MS and the other does not, were divided into three groups and accepted the PLISSIT (PLISSIT stands for Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) sexual rehabilitation program as follows: Group a (n = 40, control group) completed self-referencing questionnaires at three times (initial measurement, after 10 weeks and 6 months later), group b (n = 40) did 10 weeks of sexual counselling and completed the same questionnaires at the same times and group c (n = 40) followed the PLISSIT programme and was evaluated in the same way at the same times. The implementation of PLISSIT improved Sexual Dysfunction (SD) levels, increased sexual satisfaction between partners along with general relational satisfaction. PLISSIT can be used by professionals involved in the management of the disease as a comprehensive psychosexual rehabilitation program for MS patients and their partners.

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Article Details

Title:
Sexual Rehabilitation and Relational Satisfaction in People with Multiple Sclerosis and their Partners.

Author(s):
Tzitzika M; Daoultzis CC; Kordoutis P

Summary:
The study looked at how a special program called PLISSIT helped couples where one person has MS feel happier with their relationship and sex life. The program made people feel better about their relationships and worked well for couples dealing with MS.

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pubmed id: 37168976 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Social scientific interest in pornography use and effects dates back to at least the mid-twentieth century. Despite this, recent meta-analyses reveal a need for additional longitudinal studies, in general; a need for attitudinal studies, specifically; and a need for studies of U.S. consumers, in particular. In response to these needs and recent calls for the fields of communication and psychological science to prioritize replication, the present study probed whether Wright et al. (Psychol Pop Media 3(2):97-109, 2014) novel longitudinal findings on pornography consumption and extramarital sex attitudes among married U.S. adults were replicable. As in Wright et al., a distal assessment of extramarital sex attitudes did not predict interindividual increases in the likelihood of pornography consumption. Contrary to Wright et al., a distal assessment of pornography consumption also failed to predict interindividual increases in positive attitudes toward extramarital sex. However, more proximal measures of extramarital sex attitudes and pornography consumption did predict over time interindividual change in pornography use and attitudinal positivity, respectively, even after adjusting for participants' age, divorce history, education, race, sex, general unhappiness, martial unhappiness, liberal-conservative political orientation, and religiosity. These results are consistent with prior panel studies in the pornography literature in the macro, but also highlight a need for theoretical development (and testing) on the duration and time-course of selection and socialization effects in the context of pornography use and sexual attitudes.

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Article Details

Title:
Pornography Consumption and Extramarital Sex Attitudes Among Married U.S. Adults: Longitudinal Replication.

Author(s):
Wright PJ

Summary:
Researchers looked at how watching porn affects people's thoughts about cheating. They found that recent opinions and porn use can change people's thoughts and habits over time. They also suggest more studies are needed to understand how these changes happen.

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pubmed id: 37165286 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Large-scale epidemiological studies have documented that many children and adolescents are exposed to different forms of victimization experiences. However, such population-based studies have rarely examined how specific types of victimization are correlated with health indicators. Thus, we investigated sexual victimization, physical victimization by parents, and physical victimization by peers and their associations with sexual health, mental health, and substance use. We gathered data from a nationally representative sample of Norwegian 18-19-year-old students in their final year of senior high school (N = 2075; 59.1% girls). The analyses showed that 12.1% of the adolescents reported sexual victimization experiences. Physical victimization was more prevalent: 19.5% of the respondents had been exposed to victimization from parents and 18.9% from peers. Multivariate analyses revealed specific associations between sexual victimization and a range of sexual health indicators, such as early sexual intercourse debut, many sexual partners, engaging in sex without contraception while intoxicated, and participating in sexual acts for payment. Neither physical victimization from parents nor from peers were correlated with these variables. However, all three forms of victimization were associated with impaired mental health and potential substance use problems. We conclude that a variety of victimization experiences should be addressed in policies for prevention of adolescent mental health and substance use problems. In addition, a special emphasis is warranted regarding sexual victimization: Sexual health policies should address such potential experiences in addition to more traditional themes such as reproductive health and should also include low-threshold services for young victims of sexual victimization.

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Article Details

Title:
Sexual and Physical Victimization and Health Correlates Among Norwegian Adolescents.

Author(s):
Frøyland LR; Pedersen W; Stefansen K; von Soest T

Summary:
Many kids and teens experience different types of bullying or victimization. This study looked at how being bullied affects their health, and found that being bullied can lead to mental health and substance use problems, and sexual victimization can also affect sexual health. It's important to have policies to help prevent these problems and support young people who go through this.

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pubmed id: 37154882 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Although the call to understand how sexual behaviors have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has been established as an important area of study, research examining the extent to which gender, sexual attitudes, impulsivity, and psychological distress predicted breaking shelter-in-place (SIP) orders to engage in sexual behaviors with partners residing outside the home is undefined. Obtaining a deeper examination of the variables which predict risky sexual behaviors during SIP has important implications for future research at the intersection of public health, sexuality, and mental health. This study addressed the gap in the literature by considering how partnered sexual behaviors may be used during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate stress, as measured by breaking SIP orders for the pursuit of sexual intercourse. Participants consisted of 186 females and 76 males (N = 262) who predominately identified Caucasian/White (n = 149, 57.75%) and heterosexual/straight (n = 190, 73.64%) cultural identities with a mean age of 21.45 years (SD = 5.98, range = 18-65). A simultaneous logistic regression was conducted to examine whether mental health symptoms, sexual attitudes, and impulsivity predicted participants' decision to break SIP orders to engage in sexual intercourse. Based on our results, breaking SIP orders to pursue sexual activities with partners residing outside the home during the COVID-19 pandemic may be understood as an intentional strategy among men with less favorable birth control attitudes to mitigate the effects of depression. Implications for mental health professionals, study limitations, and future areas of research are additionally provided.

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Article Details

Title:
Evidence for Sex Differences in Depression, Sexual Attitudes, and Impulsivity as Predictors of Breaking Shelter-in-Place Orders During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Author(s):
Litam SDA; Lenz AS

Summary:
This study looked at why some people broke COVID-19 stay-at-home rules to meet partners and have sex. It found that this behavior might have been a way to feel better, especially for men who weren't very positive about birth control. The study helps us understand how stress and mental health affect decisions during a pandemic.

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pubmed id: 37154881 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Early sexual intercourse is associated with sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and depressive symptoms, and delay of intercourse allows adolescents opportunities to practice relationship skills (Coker et al., 1994; Harden, 2012; Kugler et al., 2017; Spriggs & Halpern, 2008). Thus, understanding predictors of early sexual intercourse is crucial. Prior research has suggested that violence exposure is associated with early initiation of sexual intercourse in adolescence (Abajobir et al., 2018; Orihuela et al., 2020). However, most studies have looked only at a single type of violence exposure. In addition, little research has examined longitudinal patterns of violence exposure in order to determine whether there are particular periods when the violence exposure may have the strongest impact on sexual behavior. Guided by life history and cumulative disadvantage theories, we use longitudinal latent class analysis and data from the Future of Families and Child Well-being Study (N = 3,396; 51.1% female, 48.9% male) to examine how longitudinal patterns of multiple types of violence exposures across ages 3 to 15 are associated with early sexual initiation in adolescence. Findings suggest that experiencing persistent physical and emotional abuse across childhood was associated with the greatest prevalence of early sexual initiation. Early exposure to violence was not consistently associated with greater likelihood of sexual initiation; instead, early abuse was more strongly associated with sexual initiation for boys, while late childhood abuse was more strongly associated for girls. These findings suggest that gender-sensitive programs are highly needed to address unique risk factors for boys' and girls' sexual behaviors.

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Article Details

Title:
Longitudinal Patterns of Multidimensional Violence Exposure and Adolescent Early Sexual Initiation.

Author(s):
Vasilenko SA; Wang X; Liu Q

Summary:
Some kids who go through types of violence are more likely to start having sex early. The study shows that boys and girls have different times in their lives when violence affects them most. It also says that it's important to have special programs that help boys and girls in different ways.

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pubmed id: 37154880 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Mate value is an important concept in mate choice research although its operationalization and understanding are limited. Here, we reviewed and evaluated previously established conceptual and methodological approaches measuring mate value and presented original research using individual differences in how people view themselves as a face-valid proxy for mate value in long- and short-term contexts. In data from 41 nations (N = 3895, M = 24.71, 63% women, 47% single), we tested sex, age, and relationship status effects on self-perceived mate desirability, along with individual differences in the Dark Triad traits, life history strategies, peer-based comparison of desirability, and self-reported mating success. Both sexes indicated more short-term than long-term mate desirability; however, men reported more long-term mate desirability than women, whereas women reported more short-term mate desirability than men. Further, individuals who were in a committed relationship felt more desirable than those who were not. Concerning the cross-sectional stability of mate desirability across the lifespan, in men, short- and long-term desirability rose to the age of 40 and 50, respectively, and decreased afterward. In women, short-term desirability rose to the age of 38 and decreased afterward, whereas long-term desirability remained stable over time. Our results suggest that measuring long- and short-term self-perceived mate desirability reveals predictable correlates.

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Article Details

Title:
Individual Differences in How Desirable People Think They Are as a Mate.

Author(s):
Csajbók Z; Štěrbová Z; Brewer G; Cândea CA; De Backer CJS; Fernández AM; Fisher ML; Garcia JR; Kruger DJ; Massar K; Oberzaucher E; Quintelier KJP; van Geffen RE; Valentova JV; Varella MAC; Jonason PK

Summary:
Researchers studied how people think about their value as mates in different countries. They found that men felt more desirable for long-term relationships and women felt more desirable for short-term ones. People in relationships felt more desirable, and how desirable people felt changed as they got older.

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pubmed id: 37154879 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

The British Government appointed a departmental committee to review anti-homosexuality laws in 1954 following a marked increase in the number of arrests for homosexuality after World War II. The committee invited the British Medical Association (BMA) and other institutions to provide scientific and medical evidence relating to homosexuality. In 1954, the BMA established the Committee on Homosexuality and Prostitution to present its view on how the law impacted upon homosexuals and society. This paper analyses the BMA's attitudes to homosexuality by examining its submission to the Departmental Committee. Whilst the BMA supported implicitly the decriminalization of certain homosexual acts, it remained strongly opposed to homosexuality from a moral perspective and insisted that it was an illness. It is concluded that the BMA's submission was driven primarily by a desire to control the "unnatural deviant" behavior of homosexuals and to protect society from that behavior rather than to protect homosexuals.

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Article Details

Title:
Attitudes to Male Homosexuality Within the British Medical Association in the 1950s.

Author(s):
Sefton-Minns L; Johnson MH

Summary:
In 1954, the British Government asked experts like doctors to talk about laws against homosexuality. The British Medical Association, a group of doctors, thought some laws should change but still believed that being gay was wrong and an illness. They wanted to control gay behavior because they thought it was bad for society.

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pubmed id: 37144918 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Pacific young people living in Aotearoa New Zealand experience disparities in their sexual and reproductive health outcomes, thought to stem from cultural differences and educational inequities. Although these barriers have been characterised in literature, their influence on Pacific youth's understandings of sexual and reproductive health have been relatively unexplored. This study investigated the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of Pacific students enrolled at a university in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 and where they gained this knowledge. The study used the theoretical framework of the (revitalised) Fonofale health model and was guided by the Kakala research methodology. Data were collected by means of an online survey comprised of open-ended questions and Likert scales, completed by eighty-one eligible students. Open-ended questions were analysed for general themes and responses to Likert scale items are reported using descriptive statistical analysis. The study found that Pacific youth have strong foundations of health knowledge that is heavily influenced by Polynesian cultural beliefs. Both formal and non-formal learning environments were important in developing participants' health knowledge of these topics and for encouraging independent help-seeking behaviours. This is the first reported study to investigate the sexual and reproductive health knowledges of a pan-Pacific tertiary cohort of young people.

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Article Details

Title:
Sexual and reproductive health knowledges: a study with Pacific young people enrolled in an Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary institution.

Author(s):
Young CD; Taumoepeau MM; Hohmann-Marriott BE; Girling JE; Bird RJ

Summary:
Pacific young people in New Zealand have different ideas about sexual and reproductive health because of their culture and education. This study looked at what these students at a university know and where they learned it. It found that culture and both formal and informal learning help build their health knowledge.

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pubmed id: 37139841 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

Abortion bans in the United States often include provisions for abortion in the circumstances of rape or incest experience. Such exceptions have been included in important legislation like the Hyde Amendment, 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, 2010 Affordable Care Act, and state and federal legislation banning abortion in early gestation. Thus, examination of these laws is critical given the 2022 Supreme Court decision to devolve legal access to the state level. This study examines arguments made by proponents and opponents of rape and incest exceptions within early abortion ban legislation using publicly available video archives from legislative sessions in six Southern states. A narrative analysis was conducted on the legislative debate of rape and incest exceptions during the 2018-2019 legislative sessions. We found three core themes when examining legislative debate: belief in people's claims underpinned opposition or support for exceptions; opinions about trauma were related to views on exceptions; and exception supporters called for empathy and non-partisanship in consideration of rape and incest. Additionally, support and opposition for the inclusion of rape and incest exceptions in draft law did not follow party lines. This study seeks to deepen understanding of the strategies used by legislators to promote and rebuff rape and incest exceptions in early abortion legislation while providing greater opportunity for tailored reproductive health, rights, and justice advocacy and policy, especially in the context of the US South where abortion access is now extremely restricted.

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Article Details

Title:
" ": analysis of debate on rape and incest exceptions in early abortion ban legislation in six states in the southern US.

Author(s):
Evans DP; Schnabel L; Wyckoff K; Narasimhan S

Summary:
Some U.S. abortion laws allow exceptions for rape or incest. This study looked at different views on these exceptions in six Southern states. The researchers found three main ideas: belief in people's stories, views on trauma, and calls for empathy.

Meta:
pubmed id: 37133819 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

LGBTQ+ people continue to be threatened by systemic censorship and erasure in public spaces and discourses, making community-based resources for positive development crucial. In this study, we examined one such developmental resource-LGBTQ+ intergenerational storytelling about cultural-historical events. LGBTQ+ adults ( = 495) ranging in age from 17 to 80 years ( = 39.22, SD = 19.89) responded to an online survey about LGBTQ+ intergenerational storytelling and relationships. Results showed that although LGBTQ+ intergenerational storytelling was reported to occur infrequently, sharing stories across generations was considered important, and LGBTQ+ people desired even greater intergenerational connection. Intergenerational narratives reported by participants were primarily about cultural-historical events involving adversity and oppression (e.g. AIDS crisis), policy and legislation (e.g. marriage equality), and protest, resistance, and activism (e.g. Stonewall uprising). Stories were mostly told by older friends in private or social settings for the purpose of passing on LGBTQ+ history. Lessons learned through storytelling were diverse but tended to focus on appreciation and affirmation. Valuing intergenerational storytelling was associated with positive psychosocial identity. This study suggests that intergenerational storytelling may be an important developmental resource for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities.

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Title:
Intergenerational Storytelling as a Developmental Resource in LGBTQ+ Communities.

Author(s):
Weststrate NM; Turner K; McLean KC

Summary:
The study looked at how people from different generations in the LGBTQ+ community tell stories about important events from the past. They found that even though these stories aren't told often, people think they are important and help connect different generations. The stories usually talked about difficult times and big events, and sharing them helps people feel good about their identity.

Meta:
pubmed id: 37104778 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to map and provide insight into the ethical challenges and norms of adult transgender and gender diverse (TGD) clients in gender-affirming medical care (GAMC). By doing so, we seek to make an empirical and constructive contribution to the dialogue on and moral inquiry into what good decision-making in GAMC should entail. We conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with adult Dutch TGD people who received GAMC. In our thematic analysis, we (1) included both ethical challenges and norms, (2) differentiated between explicit and implicit ethical challenges and norms, and (3) ascertained the specific context in which the latter emerged. We identified the following themes: (1) clients should be in the lead, (2) harm should be prevented, and (3) the decision-making process should be attuned to the individual client. These themes arose in the context of (1) a precarious client-clinician relationship and (2) distinct characteristics of GAMC. Our findings highlight divergent and dynamic decisional challenges and normative views-both within individual clients and among them. We conclude that there is no single ideal model of good decision-making in GAMC and argue that elucidating and jointly deliberating on decisional norms and challenges should be an inherent part of co-constructing good decision-making.

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Title:
"I Should've Been Able to Decide for Myself, but I Didn't Want to Be Left Alone." A Qualitative Interview Study of Clients' Ethical Challenges and Norms Regarding Decision-Making in Gender-Affirming Medical Care.

Author(s):
Gerritse K; Martens C; Bremmer MA; Kreukels BPC; de Boer F; Molewijk BC

Summary:
The study talks about the difficulties and rules that adult transgender people face when getting medical care that fits their identity. It found that clients should lead the process, harm should be avoided, and decisions should match each person’s needs. There are many different views on what makes good decision-making in this kind of care.

Meta:
pubmed id: 37097132 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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Abstract

The aim of with this brief report is to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic differentially impacted solitary sexual behaviors in those with and without clinically significant compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). A total of 944 individuals in the United States completed an online cross-sectional survey in October 2020. Participants were asked to retrospectively report their frequency of masturbation and pornography use during the pandemic and prior to the pandemic. Participants also completed assessments of CSB, depression symptoms, and experiences of financial stress caused by the pandemic. Individuals who screened positive for clinically significant CSB reported statistically significant increases in masturbation and pornography use during the pandemic. Those who screened negative for CSB reported no significant increase in masturbation and a very small, statistically significant increase in pornography use. Those screening positive for CSB also reported significantly higher levels of depression symptoms but did not report increased likelihood of experiencing financial distress due to the pandemic. This suggests that increases in masturbation and pornography use reported by some, but not all, recent studies on sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic may be driven by individuals with CSB. Future research on sexual behaviors during the pandemic should assess CSB to further clarify its relationship with sexual behavior changes.

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Title:
Compulsive Sexual Behavior and Changes in Solitary Sexual Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Author(s):
Gleason N; Conroy K; Banik S; Coleman E

Summary:
The study looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected solitary sexual behaviors differently in people with and without compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). Those with CSB showed more increase in these behaviors during the pandemic compared to those without CSB, who showed little to no increase. People with CSB also had higher levels of depression symptoms.

Meta:
pubmed id: 37095388 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

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February 9th, 2025

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