Archives of Sexual Behavior最新文献

People with branched attractions may experience sexual and romantic attractions to different genders; for example, they may be sexually attracted to one gender and romantically attracted to another gender. Because branched attractions may violate folk theories about sexuality, we expected individuals with these attractions to face unique stereotypes. Across three preregistered experiments (total N = 1041), and using predominantly White, non-Latiné, and straight samples, we asked if White (Studies 1 and 2) and East Asian (Study 3) targets with branched attractions are seen as: (1) confused, dishonest, and non-monogamous (bi stereotypes), (2) uncertain about and in denial of their sexuality (instability stereotypes), and (3) desired as sexual objects (fetishized), compared to targets with aligned (same-gender, other-gender, bisexual) attractions. We also assessed warmth toward targets, and explored perceivers’ need for cognition as a moderator. As expected, White and East Asian women and men with branched attractions faced heightened bi and instability stereotypes, whereas findings with warmth, fetishization, and need for cognition were mixed. Discussion considers the implications of these findings for sexually and racially minoritized individuals.

While recent research has advanced our understanding of asexuality, very little effort has been devoted to examining biomarkers and possible prenatal correlates of asexuality. In response, we recruited a large international sample (N = 1634 women and men) to explore associations between sibling composition and asexual sexual orientation (n = 366) and to replicate previously reported sibship effects in individuals with a same-sex attracted orientation (n = 276) and bisexual sexual orientation (n = 267) compared to heterosexual individuals (n = 725). Our analyses used two of the most recent statistical approaches that attempt to disentangle older sibling effects from family size effects (Ablaza et al., 2022; Khovanova, 2020). We found that higher overall number of siblings (female fecundity effect) predicted higher probability of asexuality in men and having fewer older sisters and being an only-child predicted higher probability of asexuality in women. Regarding the same-sex attracted orientations, higher number of older sisters increased likelihood of being a gay man (sororal birth order effect). Having fewer older sisters was associated with bisexual sexual orientation in women and higher overall number of siblings predicted increased likelihood of bisexuality in men. We did not find a fraternal birth order effect for gay, lesbian, bisexual or asexual groups using the Ablaza et al. (2022) method but the effect was significant for gay men using the Khovanova (2020) analytic approach. These findings point to potential sibship-related contribution to development of asexuality in women and men but future studies will need to replicate these results and articulate potential underlying mechanisms.

The dark-ego-vehicle principle (DEVP) suggests that individuals with so-called dark personalities (e.g., high narcissistic traits) are attracted to political and social activism that they can repurpose to satisfy their specific ego-focused needs (e.g., signaling moral superiority and manipulating others) instead of achieving prosocial goals. Currently, research on the DEVP is still rare. With two pre-registered studies, we sought further evidence for the DEVP by examining the associations of pathological narcissistic grandiosity with involvement in LGBQ activism (Study 1) and gender identity activism (Study 2). Socioeconomically diverse samples from the USA (Study 1; N = 446) and the UK (Study 2; N = 837) were recruited online via the research-oriented crowdsourcing platform Prolific. Individuals completed the Pathological Narcissism Inventory as well as measures of involvement in activism. Moreover, we assessed different covariates (e.g., altruism), and potential correlates within the narcissism–activism relationship (i.e., virtue signaling, dominance, and aggression). In addition, we examined potential relationships between other dark personality variables (e.g., psychopathy) and activism. In both samples, higher pathological narcissistic grandiosity was related to greater involvement in activism. As expected, virtue signaling was consistently involved in the relationship between pathological narcissistic grandiosity and activism. However, neither dominance nor aggression was related to individuals’ involvement in activism. The results did also not consistently support a relationship between higher psychopathy and greater involvement in activism. Overall, the findings help to further specify the DEVP.

Because alcohol use is often involved in both consensual and non-consensual sexual encounters, college students may develop internalized guidelines for how to navigate these experiences safely. The goal of this study was to solicit advice college students would provide to their peers regarding how to navigate alcohol-involved consensual sexual behavior. College students (n = 30, 15 cisgender women, 13 cisgender men, two gender-queer ages 18–30 years) from a large mid-western university were recruited to complete a one-hour interview on alcohol and sexual decision-making. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. College students provided three areas of advice regarding alcohol-involved consensual sex. First, they recommended their peers make sure they and the other person is sober “enough” for sexual activity by: (1) knowing your limits with alcohol, (2) relying on your friends, and (3) evaluating how intoxicated the other person is. Second, use explicit and verbal consent and refusal communication by: (1) being clear in what you are willing (or not) to do and (2) explicitly asking your partner several times, before sex occurs. Finally, students recommended evaluating the larger context of the situation. College students offered advice centered on leveraging past experiences, relying on friends for assistance in these scenarios, and doing one’s own personal evaluation of the situation. Additionally, they underscored the importance of clear, verbal communication, along with checking in and actively listening to their sexual partners during these encounters. The cumulative guidance provided by college students yields valuable insights that can inform harm reduction prevention efforts related to alcohol use and sexual consent.

This single-case study examines the psychotherapeutic journey of a 23-year-old woman experiencing a persistent and long-standing fear of emotional intimacy and aversion to physical intimacy, which led to the active avoidance of sexual encounters, psychological distress, and interpersonal difficulties. Over 26 one-hour sessions, an integrative therapeutic approach was employed, combining elements from psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment, cognitive-behavioral, and exposure therapies, with psychoeducation and sex education playing pivotal roles. The treatment resulted in significant improvements, as evidenced by both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative measures of emotional distress-specifically anxiety, depression, and fear of intimacy-initially increased during intentional exposure but showed significant improvements at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Qualitative data revealed enhancements in self-concept, increased self-compassion, and improved social functioning aligned with the individual's life aspirations. This case study highlights effective therapeutic strategies for addressing sexual aversion in young adults and demonstrates the potential for alleviating symptoms and enriching quality of life through an integrative approach.

Biological mechanisms proposed to play a role in the development of sexual orientation in men include hormonal, genetic, and immunological factors. The posited roles of these factors are not mutually exclusive; instead, they may be at play to different degrees in different individuals. Direct measurement of these influences is challenging; thus, researchers rely on putative markers. We collected data on five well-established markers in a sample of gay and heterosexual men. We then (1) compared the levels of those markers in gay and straight men, (2) identified latent profiles based on those markers, and (3) compared the proportions of gay and straight men within the profiles. Gay men reported less gender conformity in childhood, a higher proportion of older brothers, were more right-handed, had more non-heterosexual relatives, and had more feminized digit ratios. Of the six identified profiles, the most numerous, containing a significantly higher proportion of straight men, had masculine digit ratios, masculine behavior in childhood, and was the most right-handed. Proportions of gay and straight men did not differ in the profile with the most feminine digit ratio, the profile associated with the highest proportion of older brothers, and the profile associated with left-handedness. Two remaining profiles, associated with familiality, and the most feminine childhood gender behaviors, consisted predominantly of gay men. The study suggests that further investigations of differences within sexual orientation categories are warranted.

The climate within 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces plays a key role in shaping the experiences of diverse individuals who frequent them. Yet, the nature and effects of such spaces remain under-researched. In a mixed methods study, 548 diverse individuals completed a survey, and 22 respondents participated in a follow-up interview. Latent profile analysis of the quantitative data revealed three distinct typologies characterizing the climate of 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces: contentious, ambivalent, and welcoming. Notably, the contentious climate was linked to low sense of belonging and satisfaction, whereas the welcoming climate was associated with higher scores across the same outcomes. Additionally, specific social identities were predictive of membership in these climate profiles; individuals identifying as transgender/gender nonconforming and disabled were more likely to encounter contentious and/or ambivalent environments compared to welcoming climates, primarily due to limited options for welcoming climates. Intersectional analysis of the qualitative data illustrated that experiences of discrimination, particularly cisgenderism, racism, and ableism, contributed to poor social outcomes. These findings highlight that 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces may not translate into inclusive environments for everyone. The typologies developed could serve as a valuable tool to reflect on the ambiance of 2SLGBTQ+ leisure spaces and work toward welcoming climates.

The BDSM community is generally regarded as having strict consent practices, such as safewords and explicit negotiations. However, no research to date has examined the flexibility of norms around these consent practices. The present study was designed to investigate the nuances of consent communication norms among BDSM practitioners, specifically the degree to which relationship context impacts the depth and nature of consent negotiations. A total of 202 BDSM practitioners (89 women, 64 men, and 49 gender expansive individuals) between the ages of 18 and 83 years (M = 40.2, SD = 13.2) recruited from the Science of BDSM Research Team newsletter rated the acceptability of consent communication practices in the context of either pick-up play (BDSM activities conducted between people who have just met) or scenes in romantic relationships (BDSM activities conducted between romantic relationship partners). Participants generally endorsed stringent consent communication but showed greater flexibility in consent communication practices in longer-term relationships than short-term relationships. Additional results demonstrated that although intoxication was generally considered unacceptable during consent communication, intoxication during consent communication was considered more acceptable in existing relationships than new relationships and for non-BDSM sexual activities than for BDSM activities. Results demonstrate nuance based on context within strong consent norms in the BDSM community.

Indecent exposure is often regarded as a nuisance offense and detailed studies into this topic are relatively rare. However, there is consensus that relatively high recidivism rates and risk of escalation to more severe offenses can be of serious concern among these perpetrators. This cohort study aims to increase our general knowledge on the basic characteristics of these offenses and includes all registered police cases of indecent exposure in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2020, including 6741 incidents, involving 4663 suspects and 3808 registered victims. This first study of a large cohort over a long period of time describes the basic characteristics of these incidents, the perpetrators and their victims, and visualizes the results to explore trends over time. Results show that a modal indecent exposure incident is perpetrated by a 25-year-old male, on foot, on a public road, on a Wednesday afternoon in July, masturbating and directing his genitals intentionally toward a 13-year-old girl. The age distribution of victims shows remarkable similarity to victims of sexual assault. Compared to the first year of the period studied, the number of annually reported incidents gradually declined to half in the last year of the study. Findings are discussed in light of the most prominent theories on exhibitionism. Issues and suggestions relevant to apprehension and treatment of perpetrators are identified and discussed.