Journal of Sex Research最新文献

Pregnancy loss has been linked to poorer mental and relationship well-being. Given that strong sexual well-being is associated with better mental and physical health, understanding sexual well-being following a recent pregnancy loss may contribute to education and treatment models. Yet, little research has examined the effects of pregnancy loss on both couple members' sexual well-being. Accordingly, using Marks' team-based method for inductive thematic analysis, this qualitative study examined three open-ended questions regarding how individuals' (N = 255 individuals, across 133 couples) sexual well-being reportedly changed - positively and negatively - and was supported following a recent pregnancy loss (i.e. within 5 months). We also considered if the identified themes differed in frequency between women and gender-diverse individuals who were pregnant when the loss occurred, and men, women, and gender-diverse partners who were not pregnant. Across participants, we found three themes regarding positive changes (e.g. Relationship growth; A new meaning to sex), five themes related to negative changes (e.g. Decreased desire and frequency; Health and body changes), four themes pertaining to support factors (e.g. Communicating openly; Offering support and respecting readiness), and three themes reflecting: No positive changes, No negative changes, and Nothing done to support sexual well-being. Results of this study may guide psychoeducation to increase awareness of potential changes following pregnancy loss and encourage supportive behaviors to benefit couple members' sexual well-being.

As people age, their sexual activity, including sexual and relationship satisfaction, may change due to the onset of health and sexual difficulties and the activation of internalized ageist sexual stereotypes. We studied whether ageist sexual stereotypes were relevant for the importance of sex for people aged 50+ and how sexual and relationship satisfaction are interlinked with health and sexual difficulties when ageist sexual stereotypes are considered. Data for the network analysis were collected from a sample of 897 Czechs and Slovaks aged 50-96 (52% men, mean age = 62.01). Two models were analyzed - with and without the inclusion of ageist sexual stereotypes. The findings indicated that ageist sexual stereotypes play an important role in the sexuality of women and men aged 50 + .The fewer ageist sexual stereotypes people had, the less sexual difficulties they reported and the more they perceived sex as important. The inclusion of stereotypes into the models, however, weakened the negative link between sexual difficulties and the importance of sex for both women and men. These findings show that the effect of ageist sexual stereotypes are likely complex in the sexual lives of people aged 50 +.

Comprehensive sex education (CSE) is linked to several favorable health outcomes yet is consistently underfunded and under-implemented. This is likely due to the perceived controversy of CSE, but research indicates that CSE in the K-12 system is widely supported in most areas of the U.S. Legislators, school board members, and funding agencies need a more thorough and accurate understanding of their communities' attitudes toward CSE. An attitudinal scale for the general adult population could help generate research that would give these stakeholders the confidence they need to make decisions about CSE in their local areas. The current study created this needed scale using a structured 6-step process that integrated several methods establishing validity and reliability. Scale structure was tested using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, in addition to invariance testing and validity checks. The scale performed similarly across several groups and met predictions for known-groups and predictive validity, while showing some evidence for convergent validity as well. However, although findings indicate that the one-factor model of the CSEA-K12 was the best fitting model, the fit was weaker than desired. Suggestions for future work further addressing internal consistency of the scale are noted.

High-quality sexual relationships significantly contribute to the development and maintenance of romantic relationships, with effective sexual communication playing a crucial role. In particular, how partners communicate and feel about sexual consent is essential for sexual and relationship well-being. There is limited research on sexual consent within established romantic relationships, and existing findings are mixed. Our research addresses this gap through three studies using cross-sectional, dyadic, and dyadic daily diary methods conducted in China. In Study 1 (N = 392 adult individuals in romantic relationships), individuals who felt higher internal consent and used more explicit-verbal cues to consent to sex during their most recent sexual encounter experienced greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. These effects extended to individuals' partners in Study 2 (N = 235 mixed-gender adult couples). Internal and explicit-verbal consent were associated with higher sexual satisfaction for both partners, while implicit-nonverbal consent was only associated with an individual's own sexual satisfaction. Study 3 (N = 103 mixed-gender adult couples), a 21-day dyadic diary study, confirmed that daily internal and explicit-verbal consent were linked to both partners' daily sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, daily passive consent was associated with lower daily sexual satisfaction for both partners and was associated with increased daily sexual distress for the person who provided passive consent. Our research highlights the critical role of internal consent and explicit-verbal consent communication for promoting sexual and relationship well-being.

Sexual education is important for young people's sexual health. Sexual education comes from a myriad of sources, but most research in this area has examined one source at a time, limiting a holistic understanding of how people learn about sexuality. The current study considered how different sources of information come together to inform a person's sexual education. We conducted qualitative interviews with 44 U.S. college students, with questions about their sexual educational experiences from eight possible sources (i.e., school, caregivers, siblings, extended family, peers, early partners, self-sought sources such as websites and books, and pornography). We analyzed these data using reflexive thematic analysis and generated three main themes. The first theme illustrated the common ways that participants acquired information about sex from four categories of sources over time, including (a) foundational (i.e. parents, schools), (b) secondary (e.g., friends, siblings), (c) self-sought (e.g., websites, books), and (d) incidental (e.g., partners, pornography). Second, participants' engagement with educational sources was informed by their previous experiences with those sources. Finally, the most influential source of participants' sex education was fundamentally linked to their comfort with the source. These findings further demonstrate the necessity of open communication about sexuality and sexual health from sexual educators.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread disruptions in various aspects of life, including sexual well-being and satisfaction, with sexual minority men (SMM) facing unique challenges. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on their sexual satisfaction is crucial for addressing SMM-specific needs and promoting sexual well-being. This scoping review aimed to comprehensively examine the existing literature on sexual satisfaction and its associated factors among SMM during the pandemic. After a literature search and review from six electronic databases according to PRISMA guidelines, only n = 8 studies met the eligibility criteria. Findings suggested that the evidence on the impact of the pandemic on sexual satisfaction was mixed. While some studies suggested that COVID-19 facilitated a more rapid establishment of sexual relationships, others claimed that lockdown measures prevented individuals from seeking sexual partners, resulting in lower satisfaction with their sex life. Greater sexual satisfaction was associated with younger age, being in a relationship, and residing in a large urban center. Conversely, it was negatively associated with distress, loss of connections to friends and the queer community, and experiencing relationship conflict. We thus highlight the complex interplay between the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual satisfaction among SMM. Further research is warranted to explore longitudinal trends, investigate the mechanisms underlying the identified associations, and develop targeted services to mitigate negative impacts and enhance sexual satisfaction among SMM. There is also a pressing need for research in low- to middle-income settings, where pervasive stigma surrounding sex may heighten vulnerabilities of SMM.

We developed and validated a measure of the depth of the resolution experience - the Sexual Resolution Scale (SRS). Portuguese-speaking participants responded to an online survey including the SRS whose eight items were derived from the literature on post-sex states: 1) deeply relaxed, 2) with elevated heart rate, 3) with intensified emotions, 4) more aware of body, 5) in a profound peace, 6) more imaginative, 7) more predisposed to talk about emotionally charged topics, 8) more predisposed to listen to emotionally charged topics. They also reported the intensity of satisfaction, desire, arousal, and orgasm, during the last sexual activity, and completed the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory, and the Female Sexual Function Index or the International Index of Erectile Function. Principal Component Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed two dimensions: Internal Experience (items 1 to 6) and Openness to Communication (items 7 and 8). The two dimensions had good reliability. Invariance was confirmed between women and men. Nomological validity evidence was demonstrated: the two dimensions correlated with better sexual function during the last sexual activity and over the past 4 weeks. The SRS appears to be usable to measure the enjoyable aspects of the resolution phase of sexual intercourse.

In recent years, the number of programs to improve sex education for people with intellectual disabilities has increased. However, in most cases, these programs do not provide any evidence of their impact. In the present study we analyzed the effectiveness of the SALUDIVERSEX affective-sexual education program for people with intellectual disabilities using a controlled trial design. 246 individuals from eastern Spain completed a battery of questionnaires before and after the intervention. Multilevel statistical analyses showed that the risk of experiencing sexual abuse had significantly decreased and knowledge about sexuality significantly increased among those who received the intervention compared to those who did not. The evaluation of the professionals who worked daily with the participants agreed on how knowledge about sexuality and intimacy increased and concerns about sexuality decreased among those in the intervention group. The SALUDIVERSEX program is a powerful educational strategy to promote better sexual health and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities.

New parent couples often experience fluctuations in postpartum sexual satisfaction, with body image concerns being a significant factor. While these concerns are linked to decreased sexual satisfaction, potential protective factors remain underexplored. In this study, we examined the moderating role of perceived partner support in the longitudinal links between new parents' own body image concerns and both their own and their partner's sexual satisfaction. Couples (n  = 184) completed online validated questionnaires at 8 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 (T3) months postpartum. A dyadic latent growth curve analysis based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model revealed a positive association between perceived partner support and sexual satisfaction at T1 for both parents, but no associations with the parents' sexual satisfaction trajectory. Two moderations were found: first, only when non-bearing partners received high levels of support, their own body image concerns were associated with their lower sexual satisfaction at T1. Second, only in bearing mothers receiving high levels of support, their own body image concerns were associated with a smaller decrease in their partners' sexual satisfaction from T1 to T3. Findings provide nuanced insights into partner support and sexual satisfaction among new parents, aiding in the development of targeted interventions.

Suicide and other self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality as well as healthcare costs. Sexual risk behaviors are associated with many SIB, and sexual activities may act as SIB as well. In this scoping review, we consider ways in which sexual activity has been conceptualized as SIB - types of sexual activities as a form of self-injury - and cases in which sexual activities as SIB have been classified as direct or indirect self-injury. We include English-language publications that discuss any aspect of sexual activity as SIB. Database, citation list, and gray literature searches yielded 33 publications. Sexual activities as a form of self-injury included exposure to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, sadomasochistic behaviors undertaken for punishment rather than pleasure, selling sex, injury to the genitals, and sexual encounters with undesired partners or consisting of undesired acts. Twenty-three publications did not categorize sexual activities to self-injure as either direct or indirect self-injury, three publications categorized them as indirect self-injury, and seven publications as direct self-injury. Sexual activity is used to self-injure in a variety of ways and its conceptualization as indirect or direct self-injury remains unclear.