Journal of Sex Research最新文献

Theoretical frameworks suggest that romantic relationship satisfaction may influence sexual communication self-efficacy, which involves the confidence to discuss personal sexual health goals and plays a key role in HIV prevention among partnered adolescent males who have sex with males (MSM). The current study examined romantic relationship satisfaction as a correlate of sexual communication self-efficacy in a sample of partnered adolescent MSM. Participants (n = 50) completed self-report measures including romantic relationship satisfaction and sexual communication self-efficacy. Domains of sexual communication self-efficacy included: sexual history, contraception, condom negotiation, negative sexual messages, and positive sexual messages. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted to examine study aims. Relationship satisfaction was positively associated with self-efficacy in communicating about sexual history, contraception, and negative and positive sexual messages, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. These findings shed light on pathways often assumed in HIV intervention programs, emphasizing how romantic relationships are associated with adolescents' confidence in discussing sexual health with partners. Interventions aiming to improve sexual communication may be more effective if they include content on enhancing romantic relationship satisfaction.

Different studies show that women are, on average, more interested than men in pornographic themes related to dominance and submission, including rape. Using a biopsychosocial approach, a total of 571 women, representative of age and education level, from Germany, were studied to explore the factors influencing the consumption of such pornography. Participants were experimentally exposed to either a consensual written pornographic stimulus or one dealing with rape, and their subjective (psychological) sexual arousal was assessed. Additionally, we investigated various traits encompassing societal influences (such as acceptance of rape myths and previous use of violent sexual pornography) and biological-evolutionary factors (including sex drive, K-factor, and the onset of menarche). Our research showed that both rape myth acceptance and sex drive significantly impacted reported sexual arousal in response to the different stimuli. Additionally, women who had previously engaged with violent pornography tended to exhibit higher arousal when exposed to a rape stimulus. Aside from sex drive, the other biological-evolutionary factors were not significant predictors. These results prompt a discussion within the context of influences on the consumption of rape pornography, such as socialization. Our interpretation does not support the notion that a minority of women engage in fast life-history strategies, as suggested by prior research.

Involuntary celibates (incels) comprise an online subculture of men unable to form a sexual or romantic relationship with a woman for reasons they perceive to be out of their control. As a result, they tend to hold extreme views centering around misogyny and hostility toward women. A particularly alarming aspect of their online discourse is the normalization and endorsement of sex with underage girls, which may constitute sexual abuse depending on the ages of the parties involved. The aim of this study was to compare incels who espouse such beliefs with those who oppose them and those who are neutral or do not discuss this topic at all, across various linguistic dimensions (e.g. anger, sadness, dehumanization). We analyzed 1,081,393 comments made over a six-year period (2017-2023) on a popular incel forum, nested in 1032 users who we identified as being in favor, against, neutral, or silent toward sex with minors. We also assessed how their use across linguistic dimensions changed during their engagement with the incel forum. Results suggested various differences between these four groups with users in favor of sex with minors initially showing lower levels of loneliness. As they spent more time on the forum, these users showed an increase in loneliness and the use of animalistic dehumanization, but also in positive emotions. Implications and further directions are discussed.

People in the sex work industry are confronted with stigmatization and prejudice related to their work. A movement regarding the terminology of those in the industry focuses on the work-oriented aspect of the profession, rather than confounding the work with sexual identity, morality, and coercion, which in turn, might reduce stigma. Yet, lay perceptions of these professionals are often negative, and may vary depending on the language used to describe sex workers. The current research used survey instruments to examine public perceptions of sex industry workers. Participants (n = 386) rated a term used to describe these professionals (sex worker, escort, prostitute, or hooker) on measures reflecting perceived demographics of these professionals and how participants viewed people associated with these terms. Demographic stereotypes indicated that participants estimated higher levels of Black involvement in sex work relative to their estimates of Black individuals in the broader U.S. population. The opposite was found for White involvement. Participants perceived the terms sex worker and escort less negatively than prostitute and hooker, giving credence to the movement to refer to those in the sex work industry as sex workers to reduce stigmatization.

Sexual identity development (SID) varies for sexual minority individuals, but its scope and implications remain understudied. We examined trajectories or profiles of SID among sexual minority adults and investigated their sociodemographic associations, while being sensitive to sex differences and missing data. Our examination used a United States probability sample of three generations of cisgender sexual minority adults; assessed ages at attaining milestones of SID concerning same-sex attractions, sex with the same sex, realizing one is a sexual minority, and disclosure to others; and derived latent and observed profiles of SID milestones. SID occurred in adolescence or emerging adulthood for many, extended into the 30s and 40s for some, and was ongoing or incomplete for others. Although the order of unfolding milestones was similar for women and men, more SID profiles were observed for women and women began later and took longer to complete SID than men. SID was ongoing or incomplete for those reporting never having sex with the same sex or never disclosing to others, with more women than men reporting never having sex, and both women and men less likely to disclose to a family member than a heterosexual friend. SID profile membership differed by sexual self-identification, generation, ethnicity or race, education, and income. The findings suggest that SID generally begins in adolescence, but its unfolding varies. Future research should consider such diversity and investigate its implications for health, other adaptation, and development in other life areas, while being mindful of sex differences in SID.

Dating app facilitated sexual aggression (DAFSA) includes sexually aggressive behaviors that occur during online dating app communication or in-person during an initial meetup with someone from a dating app. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at heightened risk for DAFSA; thus, validated tools are needed to better understand DAFSA in this population. The present research developed two new measures of DAFSA perpetration among MSM. The Online Dating App Facilitated Sexual Aggression Perpetration Scale for MSM (O-DAFSA-P-MSM) focuses on behaviors perpetrated during app-based communication and includes 25 items across three subscales (Threats and Aggression, Blocking and Rejection, and Message/Image-Based Harassment). The In-Person Dating App Facilitated Sexual Aggression Perpetration Scale for MSM (IP-DAFSA-P-MSM) is a unidimensional, 14-item measure of sexually aggressive behaviors perpetrated during the first in-person meeting with someone from a dating app. In Phase 1, we developed the initial set of items for each measure. In Phase 2, MSM participants (N = 353) completed preliminary versions of the measures, and we used exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) to refine items and establish factor structures. In Phase 3, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses in a new, independent sample of MSM (N = 579), which supported the proposed factor structures and demonstrated measurement invariance across Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White MSM, and across gay and bisexual MSM. Convergent validity was supported by significant positive associations between both measures and single-item indicators of DAFSA perpetration; divergent validity was supported by null or significant but small correlations with prosocial dating app behaviors. Both measures showed significant negative associations with social desirability. While average frequencies for each DAFSA-P type were generally low, initial group comparisons indicated that White MSM engaged in significantly more in-person DAFSA than Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM, and gay MSM engaged in significantly more online DAFSA (i.e. threats and aggression and message/image-based harassment) than bisexual MSM. Together, the O-DAFSA-P-MSM and IP-DAFSA-P-MSM provide critical tools that can be used to advance the study of DAFSA perpetration and inform interventions aimed at reducing DAFSA among MSM.