Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy最新文献

This study explored how young heterosexual men understand and apply sexual consent, especially when it is ambiguous. Through qualitative interviews, we examined their definitions of consent, views on verbal consent-seeking, and decision-making processes. Three findings emerged. First, participants consistently cited a conventional definition-free, ongoing, and explicit-but struggled to apply it in practice. Second, most found verbal requests for consent awkward, unnecessary, or disruptive. Third, all described using a process we term multi-factor authentication: an intuitive system in which consent is inferred from mutuality (reciprocated, escalating cues) combined with contextual indicators such as trust, timing, location, and occasional verbal check-ins. Alcohol use and clothing were rarely considered relevant. Instead, men emphasized emotional intimacy-trust, empathy, connection, and vulnerability-as central to consensual sex. These findings suggest that while consent education has successfully conveyed the principle that sex must be consensual, it offers few practical strategies for implementation. Recognizing multi-factor authentication as a key framework can inform education that addresses both normative definitions of consent and the complex realities of sexual encounters.

In recent years, the concept of the gender spectrum, which moves beyond the binary view of gender identity, has been proposed, drawing the attention of the Japanese to the existence of nonbinary and genderqueer individuals (NBGQ). However, NBGQ identities are often encompassed within LGBTQ discussions, and research or scales specifically focusing on NBGQ individuals remain scarce in Japan. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Genderqueer Identity (GQI) scale originally developed by McGuire et al., referred to as the GQI-Japanese version (GQI-J), and to evaluate its reliability and construct validity. This study comprised 203 individuals aged 18-29 (mean, 20.90 ± 2.05) years. This included 56 participants assigned male at birth and 147 assigned female at birth. The participants were instructed to complete a questionnaire that included the GQI-J and items assessing their tendencies toward gender dysphoria. The results demonstrated that the GQI-J comprised 18 items with three core subscales and one independent subscale (Gender Fluidity), confirming its reliability and construct validity. The GQI-J is expected to facilitate quantitative research in Japan on individuals who do not conform to the binary gender framework, supporting the development of psychological support tailored to their needs.

The Dependency-Resentment Hypothesis (DRH) proposes a novel rationale for the intercorrelations between heterosexual men's pornography use frequency, problematic pornography use, and hostile attitudes toward women. Analyses of four distinct data sets, generated in Greece, the United States, China, and Italy, have yielded results consistent with the DRH. This letter presents replicative results from a fifth distinct data set, collected in Italy. The possibility that rape myth acceptance should be incorporated into the DRH is also explored. We encourage our fellow pornography scholars to subject the DRH to further evaluations and potential expansions. Subsequent studies using data gathered in other countries and additional methods would be of particular value.

The transition to parenthood often brings many changes to a couple's sexual life. Yet, most studies have focused exclusively on women's sexual difficulties, neglecting both partners' subjective experience of postpartum sexuality. Using a dyadic mixed-method design, the present study examined the qualitative perception of change in postpartum sexuality among both partners of mixed-sex couples and its associations with two waves of quantitative measures of sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and sexual intimacy. Both partners of 180 French-Canadian first-time parent couples completed online questionnaires during the second trimester of pregnancy and at four months postpartum. One open-ended question assessed the perceived changes in postpartum sexuality at four months. A thematic analysis revealed five main themes pertaining to postpartum sexual changes: (1) reorganizing sexuality around the baby; (2) modified sexual intimacy; (3) coping with pain or discomfort; (4) dealing with lower desire or desire discrepancy within the couple; and (5) living with changes in the woman's body. Quantitative analyses revealed that sexual function and sexual intimacy, but not sexual satisfaction, decreased between pregnancy and four months postpartum. Mixed findings indicate that postpartum sexuality extends beyond declines in sexual well-being, reflecting a complex experience shaped by relational processes such as intimacy, empathy, and adaptability.

Psychological well-being and sexual quality of life are important determinants of marital adjustment, yet their combined influence has been understudied. This study evaluated the effects of these factors on marital adjustment among 334 married women. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected via online and face-to-face surveys employing the Sociodemographic Data Form, Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F), and Marital Adjustment Test (MAT). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed. The mean scores were PWBS = 28.72 ± 8.03, SQOL-F = 42.87 ± 8.74, and MAT = 43.50 ± 7.02. Marital adjustment was moderately correlated with psychological well-being (r = 0.490, p < 0.05) and sexual quality of life (r = 0.320, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that psychological well-being and sexual quality of life together explained 22% of the variance in marital adjustment (R² = 0.222), with psychological well-being as the stronger predictor. These findings highlight the critical role of individual psychological health in marital dynamics. Incorporating strategies to enhance psychological well-being and sexual health into clinical practice and family counseling may improve marital adjustment and overall relational well-being.

Psychological intimate partner violence (PIPV) and coercive and controlling behaviors (CCB) are highly prevalent in the general population. Considering couples' sexual and relational wellbeing are closely intertwined, it is surprising that no study has examined the temporal associations between PIPV and CCB, and couples' sexual satisfaction. This study examined the dyadic associations between PIPV, CCB and sexual satisfaction over time, and explored gender differences. A community sample of 406 mixed-sex couples completed measures of PIPV, CCB and sexual satisfaction at two time-points, one year apart. An autoregressive cross-lagged model following the actor-partner interdependence framework was tested. Results revealed small actor effects, indicating that higher PIPV perpetration in women and higher CCB perpetration in men at T1 were related to their own higher sexual satisfaction at T2. A medium partner effect showed that men's PIPV perpetration at T1 was linked to lower sexual satisfaction in their partner at T2. Large autoregressive effects indicated that PIPV, CCB, and sexual satisfaction were stable over time. Small partner effects revealed that higher sexual satisfaction in participants at T1 was related to higher sexual satisfaction in their partner at T2. Findings underscore the complex associations linking PIPV, CCB, and sexual satisfaction in couples.

Sanctification theory posits that normal aspects of life can take on special meaning or significance beyond the ordinary. One way that people may experience the sacred and connect with the divine is through sexuality. Sexual sanctification has been connected to beneficial sexual outcomes. However, current literature is lacking on clarifying the mechanisms through which sexual sanctification may lead to those outcomes. In this study, we looked at the dyadic data of 452 heterosexual committed couples who have been in a relationship for at least two years. Structural equation modeling was used to assess possible pathways through which sexual sanctification related to sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion including sexual mindfulness, sexual intercourse frequency, sexual communication, and orgasmic consistency. Sexual sanctification had statistically significant associations with all four mechanisms for females but not for males; however, sexual intercourse frequency did not have a significant relationship with either sexual outcome. Communication was the strongest mechanism through which sexual sanctification influenced sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion, followed by orgasmic consistency and then sexual mindfulness. These findings indicate the importance of sexual communication and orgasmic consistency as mechanisms for sexual sanctification and positive sexual outcomes.

Mental health disparities among nonbinary and genderqueer (NBGQ) individuals are consistently observed and reflect the impact of intrapersonal and social stressors described by gender minority stress (GMS) theory. This qualitative study extends this framework by exploring how GMS-related stressors are experienced by NBGQ individuals seeking gender-affirming medical care (GAMC). We conducted interviews with 15 participants (aged 18-53) representing diverse nonbinary identities and GAMC pathways. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis and identified key challenges across three contextual layers. At the individual level, participants encountered challenges in exploring and defining their nonbinary identity, due to a lack of nonbinary-sensitive language, representation, and information. Interpersonally, they stressed the continuous pressure to explain and defend their nonbinary identity while facing identity invalidation by others. Systemically, nonbinary individuals faced difficulties navigating societal binary norms, frequently feared for their safety, and were negatively affected by policies and legislation that failed to recognize or protect their identities. Our findings highlight the need for greater attention to NBGQ-specific nuances within existing gender minority stress frameworks, alongside improved NBGQ representation, supportive interpersonal networks, and nonbinary inclusive social structures - all crucial for enhancing mental health and resilience in NBGQ individuals.