Journal of Sex Research最新文献

Recent research has supported the positive effects of self-compassion for couples' relationships; however, these efforts have only recently been applied to couples' sexuality. Although there is some evidence supporting the associations between self-compassion and sexual satisfaction when satisfaction is conceptualized unidimensionally, it is unclear if and to what degree those associations are different for satisfaction and dissatisfaction when these constructs are assessed separately. The aim of this study was to understand the associations between self-compassion separately for sexual satisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction for romantic partner dyads. A sample of 230 married midlife Canadian couples participated in an online survey. Findings from distinguishable Actor Partner Interdependence Models indicated that women and men with higher levels of self-compassion reported more sexual satisfaction and less sexual dissatisfaction but the effects were stronger for satisfaction than dissatisfaction. Only men's self-compassion affected women's sexual dissatisfaction, but not vice versa. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to societal attitudes and application to sex and couples therapy.

Kink, often referred to as BDSM, is an important aspect of a sizable minority's sexual desires, practices, and personal relationships, yet there are few ways to assess kink engagement in a holistic manner. This study aimed to develop the Kink Orientation Scale (KOS), a novel short tool for measuring different aspects of kink sexuality. In phase one, 27 items were created and included in the initial scale based on a literature review and focus groups with kinky and non-kinky individuals. In phase two, the KOS was administered to 200 university students. Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) were used to determine the factor structure and dimensionality of the KOS, and we retained 18 items in the scale and identified five factors. In phase three, the 18 item KOS was administered to a kink sample of 1025 participants as a form of validation. Confirmatory Factor Analyses also identified five factors with a strong overlap to the EFA. The five factors were: kink identity; kink community; kink paraphernalia; kink practices; and sexual communication. The kink sample also provided higher scores on the KOS compared with the non-kink sample. This study shows the potential utility of the KOS in measuring kink engagement holistically.

Sexual conflict is common, yet it is one of the most challenging topics for couples because it provokes more negative emotions relative to other conflicts. Such challenges might prompt couples to rely on less adaptive sexual communication styles. Communication patterns during sexual conflict - such as demand-withdrawal - have received little attention, and studies that do exist relied on self-report measures. Demand-withdrawal communication refers to when one partner exerts pressure to talk about a problem while the other withdraws, and is associated with poorer psychological and relationship well-being. In an observational dyadic study, we examined associations between demand-withdrawal patterns during a sexual conflict and sexual and relationship outcomes concurrently and over time. Couples (N = 151, M_age = 31.92, SD_age = 9.07) in long-term relationships completed measures of relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress at baseline (T1) and 12 months later (T2). One week after T1, they engaged in an in-lab discussion of an important sexual conflict, coded by trained observers for degree of demand-withdrawal. Individuals in a couple who were observed to display higher demand-withdrawal reported lower relationship and sexual satisfaction and higher sexual distress at T1, as well as lower relationship satisfaction at T2. Effects were not moderated by gender. Findings demonstrate the relevance of demand-withdrawal patterns during sexual conflict.

Chemsex defines the practice of sexual activity under the influence of psychoactive substances, mainly by Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). This activity can be associated with negative health consequences, yet there are no recommendations to guide management of individuals who engage in chemsex. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the existing treatments (pharmacological or not) and risk/harm reduction strategies for MSM who engage in chemsex. This scoping review was performed using PubMed and Embase databases and according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Review criteria. Overall, 19 studies were included in the review. Among these studies, four main themes were identified: management and harm reduction strategies, key actors involved in managing MSM who engage in chemsex, perceived barriers to care and the role of pre-exposure prophylaxis, and medical information sought by MSM who engage in chemsex. This scoping review concludes with the need to develop multidisciplinary approaches to improve communication about chemsex, and to design interventional studies that target MSM who engage in chemsex.

Drivers of poor sexual health outcomes among Black heterosexual man are poorly understood. Previous research has identified a need to understand Black men's behavioral experiences and motivators in the UK. This study aimed to address this gap through a phenomenological exploration of the sexual health experiences and motivators of Black heterosexual men with experience of higher-risk sexual behaviors living in London. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants (18-58 years) recruited through barbershops. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Five themes were generated. For relevance, three themes are discussed in this paper: 1) The Black Man's Battle; 2) Sexual Socialization; and 3) Sexual Behaviors, Relationships, and Health. Race and gender combined to shape experience of sexual socialization. Exposure to explicit media content from a young age promoted multiple sexual partners. Racist sexual stereotypes exposed participants to fetishization and created pressure to meet sexual expectations. Condom use motivators were complex and multifaceted. Experience of institutional racism created a lack of trust in services. However, actual experiences with sexual health services were positive and counteracted the mistrust created by racism. Sexual health services should better tailor their work to Black heterosexual men and diversify their offer. Services should collaborate with Black community organizations to deliver services outside clinical settings.

This study examined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) cancer patients' sexual well-being post-cancer, and the associations between sexual well-being and social support, physical concerns, distress, quality of life (QOL), and coping. We used a mixed-methods approach, including 430 surveys and 103 interviews, representing a range of tumor types, sexual and gender identities, age groups, and intersex status. The findings indicated that LGBTQI people with cancer experience declines in sexual well-being following cancer, which are associated with reduced QOL, greater physical concerns, and lower social support. The perceived helpfulness of coping mechanisms was associated with greater sexual well-being across genders, with cisgender men reporting the sharpest declines in sexual well-being and highest use of coping mechanisms. Across all groups, searching for information online was the most frequently used coping mechanism, with support groups and counseling the most under-utilized. Qualitative findings facilitated interpretation of these results, providing examples of ways in which cancer impacted sexual well-being and how physical changes influence sexual embodiment or desire to engage in sex. Concerns about reduced sexual desire and activity, associated with changes to breasts, vulva, vagina, penis, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, scarring, and stoma, reflect previous findings in the non-LGBTQI cancer population. Unique to this population are the impact of physical changes on LGBTQI embodiment, including disruption to sexual and gender identities, and feelings of disconnection from queer communities. Addressing LGBTQI sexual well-being within oncology healthcare is a matter of sexual and reproductive justice, for a population whose needs are often overlooked within cancer care.

Heterosexual-identified men who have sex with men (H-MSM) are a unique population difficult to identify and recruit for research and practice. Yet, engaging H-MSM remains a top research priority to learn more about this population's health needs. A scoping review was conducted to develop a stronger understanding of recruitment patterns involving H-MSM in research. The search and screening procedures yielded 160 total articles included in the present study. Most studies relied on venue-based and internet-based recruitment strategies. Thematic analysis was then used to identify three themes. Locations of H-MSM's sexual encounters related to where sex researchers may recruit participants; sociocultural backgrounds of H-MSM related to important characteristics researchers should acknowledge and consider when working with H-MSM; and engagement with health services related to how H-MSM interact with or avoid HIV/STI testing and treatment and other public health services. Findings suggest H-MSM have sex with other men in a variety of venues (e.g. bathhouses, saunas) but tend to avoid gay-centric venues. H-MSM also are diverse, and these unique identities should be accounted for when engaging them. Finally, H-MSM are less likely to access healthcare services than other MSM, highlighting the need for targeted advertisements and interventions specific for H-MSM.

Previous studies have indicated homogamy in partner preferences among gay and bisexual men. Individuals on Blued (the most popular gay dating app in China) could identify their body type and preferred physiques according to six categories: monkey (thin gay men), average, muscularity, bear (heavy and hairy gay men), baboon (smaller than bears), and pig (plumper than bears). This study examined patterns of physique preferences across body types as well as sexual self-labels (tops, bottoms, versatiles, and others). In total, 188,716 Blued profiles (M_age = 31.1, SD = 7.1) were obtained. Multiple group latent class analysis was used to examine the patterns of physique preferences across the body type groups. The results revealed seven classes of physique preference. The four common physique preferences shared by all body type groups were "like averages," "like monkeys," "like muscularity," and "like bears." Individuals with a monkey or average body type exhibited a specific pattern of physique preference: "dislike bears." The two physique preferences specific to gay bear men were "like averages and muscularity," and "dislike monkeys." The highest preference for each physique was observed among individuals of the same body type. Furthermore, tops were more likely to have a muscular body and prefer a monkey physique, whereas bottoms were more likely to have a monkey body and prefer a muscular physique. These findings indicate body type-specific physique preferences based on an individual's own body type and sexual self-label identification, thus partially supporting the concept of homogamy in the physique preferences of gay men.

Methodologists from a variety of social and behavioral sciences have called attention to misunderstandings, misclassifications, and misapplications of third variable "controls" in observational research. We are unaware, however, of a comprehensive discussion of these issues in the sexological literature. In this article, we attempt to detail several of the more important potential pitfalls within the context of a case study commentary on a recent Journal of Sex Research inquiry into Danish persons' pornography use, sexual satisfaction, and sexual behavior. We emphasize that our own (still limited) edification came only through personal error and chart an optimistic path forward wherein the current state of practice can be transformed into theoretical progress and innovation.

The goal of this study was to explore the sexual activities that older adults consider as having had sex and to examine correlates of the ways that older men and women define sex. A sample of 286 men and women aged 60 years and older who were involved in a romantic relationship were recruited online from Prolific and Facebook advertisements. Participants were presented a list of 19 different sexual activities and asked whether they would think they had sex if they engaged in each one of those activities. Results showed that penetrative sexual activities were found to be the most likely endorsed as having had sex, followed by genital non-penetrative activities, masturbation activities, and non-genital contact. Greater sexual frequency for a sexual activity was associated with endorsing that same activity as having had sex. A cluster analysis revealed five different groups of individuals based on the activities that they considered as having had sex. Only small differences in sexual wellbeing were found among these groups of individuals. The way older men and women define sex is complex and shows great variability. Our results have important implications for the operationalization and assessment of sexual activity. Other implications for healthcare and future research are discussed.