Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy最新文献

Research has highlighted parent-adolescent communication as a potential protective factor associated with a decreased likelihood of adolescents engaging in risky behavior. In the present study, the link between parents' psychopathology and parent-adolescent communication quality (related and unrelated to sex) was examined, while taking into consideration the mediating effects of family-cohesion, family-adaptability, and perceived family-support. A sample of 275 Israeli parent-adolescent dyads - mother (M_age = 45.48, SD = 5.45); father (M_age = 48.06, SD = 7.30); and adolescent (M_age = 16.23, SD = 1.18) - completed a set of questionnaires, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the responses. The findings revealed that higher maternal-psychopathology was linked to lower family-cohesion, which in turn was linked to lower perceived family-support and to lower parent-adolescent communication (related and unrelated to sex). Higher paternal-psychopathology was linked to lower family-adaptability, which in turn was linked to lower parent-adolescent communication (unrelated to sex). The findings of this study highlight the need to consider both family functioning and perceived family support in order to understand the influence of parents' psychopathology on parent-adolescent communication quality.

Masturbation, defined as the manual or object-based stimulation of one's genitals, is widely recognized sexual behavior. However, its relationship with sexual relationships has rarely been the focus of research, and few studies have explored the connection between solitary masturbation and orgasm in sexual relationships. Therefore, this study examined the association of gender and various parameters of masturbation (i.e., age of first masturbation, negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, and subjective orgasm experience) with the ease and intensity with which orgasm is experienced in sexual relationships. A total of 1,055 cisgender heterosexual adults (482 men and 573 women), aged 18 to 70 years (M = 36.55; SD = 11.22) participated in this study. The results indicated that subjective orgasm experience in masturbation is associated with orgasm obtained in sexual relationships, although with differential nuances between men and women. This study highlights the need to deepen the understanding of the relationship between masturbation and sexual relationships, and the role that solitary masturbation plays in the orgasm obtained in sexual relationships, emphasizing not only the understanding of this relationship but also the need for a detailed assessment of masturbation behavior before its use as a therapeutic tool in sex therapy.

Purpose: Sexual minority stigma contributes to mental health disparities among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. This study examined how stigma, social avoidance, and social support influence depression in MSM in order to identify intervention targets.

Methods: A purposive sampling strategy recruited 586 MSM (M[age] = 29.40; SD = 9.54) via an online survey on Blued, China, with 19.3% reporting moderately severe or severe depression. Linear regression analyzed the associations between stigma (perceived and enacted) and depression, while mediation and moderated mediation analyses explored the roles of social avoidance and social support.

Results: Perceived stigma was linked to depressive symptoms both directly and indirectly via social avoidance, while enacted stigma had a direct association without mediation. Social support moderated relationships between stigma and depression but unexpectedly intensified the impact of social avoidance on depressive symptoms when medium or high.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that social support, as observed, may inadequately address stigma-induced avoidance, potentially reinforcing isolation rather than alleviating it in a hetero-centric context of China. Mental health interventions should prioritize reducing stigma-driven avoidance and fostering diverse, empowering support systems. Public health efforts to combat stigma and strengthen community-based networks are critical for improving mental health among MSM.

While a few studies have investigated the sexual fantasies of adults reporting sexual attraction to minor, none, to the best of our knowledge, have focused on the specific types of content of these fantasies. In this qualitative study, we conducted content and thematic analyses of the sexual fantasies reported by an international sample of 112 adults reporting sexual attraction to minors recruited online. Seven themes were found: Minor-focused fantasies, Other paraphilic fantasies, Unrealistic fantasies, Incestuous fantasies, Adult-focused fantasies, Promiscuous fantasies, and Group sex fantasies. The sexual fantasies of adults reporting sexual attraction to minors exhibited diversity both in terms of the individuals involved and in the range of sexual practices imagined. However, much of the sexual fantasy content shared by participants was predominantly of a paraphilic nature. Approximately one-third of the fantasies involved minor as sexual partners, romantic partners, or featured participants imagining themselves as minors. Additionally, nearly half of the disclosed sexual fantasies referenced other paraphilic sexual interests, such as violence, fetishism, exhibitionism/voyeurism, body fluids, and zoophilia. Results of our research highlight the possibility of co-occurring paraphilic interests in adults reporting sexual attraction to minors.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is characterized by persistent or recurrent unwanted genital arousal, causing significant distress to the affected individual. Classified as a sexual dysfunction, PGAD/GPD is predominantly described in women and severely affect their quality of life with psychological repercussions. Despite its morbidity, PGAD/GPD remains unfamiliar to healthcare professionals. This article provides a narrative review of the disorder, addressing current literature on its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment approaches from a biopsychosocial perspective. The aim is to increase awareness among healthcare providers, enabling appropriate management strategies for PGAD/GPD and improving patient overall well-being.

This scoping review systematically examines the emerging empirical evidence on relationship-specific mindfulness (RSM) and its impact on psychological and relational well-being. Following the scoping review framework of Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of PsycNet, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that conceptualized and empirically examined RSM in relation to intimate partner relationships. Twelve articles comprising 13 studies and 4002 participants met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross-sectional and conducted in the Global North. The analysis revealed conceptual diversity, with constructs such as relationship mindfulness, interpersonal mindfulness, and mindfulness in couple relationships defined in varied ways across studies. Key themes included psychosocial dispositions (such as attachment orientation, empathy, and partner responsiveness), emotion-related factors (including stress, depression, and anxiety), and relational outcomes (namely relationship satisfaction and sexual quality). However, mixed patterns regarding RSM's effects on the subthemes highlight the need for further investigation. Finally, this review proposes a Dyadic Relational Mindfulness Model to guide future research and develop interventions.

Sexual health concerns, experiences of violence, and risk-taking behaviors significantly impact various aspects of life, leading to adverse health outcomes. Unfortunately, few patients disclose these problems to healthcare providers (HCPs) due to shame and fear. While HCPs recognize the importance of addressing sexual and reproductive health related issues, time constraints, lack of knowledge, and fear of embarrassing patients often hinder thorough investigation. SEXIT (SEXual health Identification Tool) was developed to facilitate and initiate conversations about sexual health, experiences of violence, and risk-taking behaviors between youths aged 13-24 and HCPs. However, no comparable methods exist for adults. This study aimed to explore which questions professionals believe HCPs should ask adult patients. Using a Delphi methodology, 19 academic and/or clinical experts participated in two online questionnaire rounds and a web meeting. The panel identified 25 highly relevant questions covering diverse areas (e.g., sexual and gender identity, sexual satisfaction, experiences of violence, and substance use). These questions may empower adult patients to disclose sexual health concerns, enabling HCPs to comprehensively address these issues during medical history assessments. The identified questions have been incorporated into the development of the SEXIT Adult questionnaire.

Sexual violence is a pervasive public health issue with significant impacts on survivors' sexual functioning. The current study used latent profile analysis to identify subgroups of sexual functioning among 393 women with histories of sexual violence. Four profiles emerged: High Inhibition/Concerns, Healthy Functioning, Casual Sex, and Satisfied but Inhibited. Profiles differed significantly in PTSD symptoms, binge drinking, and substance use before sex, but not in sexual violence severity. Results highlight the heterogeneity of sexual functioning outcomes following sexual violence and underscore the importance of tailored, trauma-informed interventions addressing sexual health, PTSD, and substance use among survivors.