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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this randomized controlled experimental study was to determine the effect of sexual counseling for infertile couples according to the PLISSIT model on sexual function and sexual satisfaction. A total of 60 infertile couples (30 intervention, 30 control) with sexual dysfunction were included in the sample. Each couple in the intervention group received sexual counseling in three separate sessions based on the PLISSIT model. It was found that sexual counseling given to infertile couples using the PLISSIT model positively affected their sexual function and sexual satisfaction.Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials Protocol ID: 13022260-300108795 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Masturbation and the Other in Greek Art and Ideology" from the Journal of the History of Sexuality explores the historical context of masturbation in ancient Greece, focusing on how it was associated with marginalized groups such as slaves, women, and satyrs. The study delves into literary and visual representations of sexual Othering, revealing Greek male prejudices and beliefs about female sexual appetite. By examining depictions of masturbation on sympotic vessels primarily aimed at a male audience, the article highlights how Greek men used this behavior to distinguish themselves from those considered nonideal or Other. The analysis provides insights into Greek ideology and societal norms surrounding sexuality and self-definition. [Extracted from the article]

Amid adolescence, youth are developing the relational skills necessary to form and maintain positive intimate relationships. Sexual assertiveness is a key skill that could be related to couples' sexual outcomes (i.e. sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns, and sexual function). However, dyadic studies are lacking, and associations between sexual assertiveness and adolescents' sexual health and well-being remain underexplored. This cross-sectional dyadic study examined associations between dimensions of sexual assertiveness and sexual outcomes in adolescent romantic relationships. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model guided analyses of self-reported questionnaires from 110 romantic dyads (aged 14–19 years; M = 16.51). Participants' gender was considered in the models, and gender differences emerged in the associations between study variables. Path analyses revealed that sexual needs and desires communication, refusal of unwanted sex, sexual intimacy initiation, and comfort talking about sex have significant actor and partner effects on adolescents' sexual outcomes in mixed-gender dyads. These findings suggest that authentically expressing one's own sexual needs, desires, and limits in adolescence may influence not only one's own sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns, and sexual function, but also their partner's. The aforementioned dimensions of sexual assertiveness could be important targets for research-based interventions to promote sexual health and well-being in adolescent romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual wellbeing is an important aspect of population health. Addressing and monitoring it as a distinct issue requires valid measures. Our previous conceptual work identified seven domains of sexual wellbeing: security; respect; self-esteem; resilience; forgiveness; self-determination; and comfort. Here, we describe the development and validation of a measure of sexual wellbeing reflecting these domains. Based on the analysis of 40 semi-structured interviews, we operationalized domains into items, and refined them via cognitive interviews, workshops, and expert review. We tested the items via two web-based surveys (n = 590; n = 814). Using data from the first survey, we carried out exploratory factor analysis to assess and eliminate poor performing items. Using data from the second survey, we carried out confirmatory factor analysis to examine model fit and associations between the item reduced measure and external variables hypothesized to correlate with sexual wellbeing (external validity). A sub-sample (n = 113) repeated the second survey after 2 weeks to evaluate test–retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a "general specific model" had best fit (RMSEA: 0.064; CFI: 0.975, TLI: 0.962), and functioned equivalently across age group, gender, sexual orientation, and relationship status. The final Natsal-SW measure comprised 13 items (from an initial set of 25). It was associated with external variables in the directions hypothesized (all p <.001), including mental wellbeing (0.454), self-esteem (0.564), body image (0.232), depression (−0.384), anxiety (−0.340), sexual satisfaction (0.680) and sexual distress (−0.615), and demonstrated good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.78). The measure enables sexual wellbeing to be quantified and understood within and across populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to parenthood (TTP) is an exciting yet destabilizing time for couples. First-time parents may experience changes in their sexual satisfaction during the TTP, but little is known about the factors associated with these changes. Romantic attachment might help understand why some new parents experience a decrease in sexual satisfaction while others do not. This prospective and dyadic study aimed to examine new parents' sexual satisfaction trajectories through the moderator role of prenatal attachment anxiety and avoidance in these trajectories. A total of 221 primiparous Canadian couples completed four online questionnaires from the second trimester of pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. Dyadic latent growth curve analyses revealed that although pregnant people present lower prenatal sexual satisfaction than their partners, both parents show an increase in their sexual satisfaction from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. For both parents, partners' attachment anxiety was related to one's own steeper increase in sexual satisfaction from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum. Finally, both parents' attachment avoidance was related to their own lower sexual satisfaction during pregnancy. These findings will help educate and support expectant parents about anticipated fluctuations in sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and trait sexual pleasure in diverse gender, sex, and relationship populations, is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework of sexual pleasure. We collected quantitative (n = 1371) and qualitative data (n = 637) using a cross-sectional multi-method design targeting the general (German-speaking) population. After pre-processing, we conducted analyses on a sample of n = 706 participants. The theory-based 5-factor exploratory structural equation model and the principal component analyses of the two general exploratory index-scales showed good and acceptable structural validity evidence respectively. Measurement invariance was confirmed separately for male and female participants and for those with sexually functional-scoring and dysfunctional-scoring levels. Coefficient omega indicated that all scales, except those of one facet, showed acceptable to very good internal consistency. The ASPI's convergent and discriminant associations with sexological and psychological constructs demonstrated good overall construct validity. Participants understood the items as intended and felt that the ASPI covered relevant facets of sexual pleasure. The ASPI might help understand how individuals differ in experiencing sexual pleasure and how different contexts enable some people to experience pleasure while disadvantaging others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a large body of biomedical research, little is known about the psychological and perceptual predictors of sexual satisfaction (SS) and sexual distress (SD) post spinal cord injury (SCI). Guided by a bio-psycho-perceptual framework, this cross-sectional research aimed at assessing SS and SD in a large SCI sample using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROM). Significant correlates and predictors of SS and SD were also identified. Ninety-one men and women with SCI completed PROMs of SS and SD, as well as psychological (mood, sexual and body esteem) and perceptual (interoceptive awareness, trait mindfulness, sexual mindfulness) factors. Neurological profiles were also assessed, along with experience of orgasm. Correlates of SS and SD were first identified using Pearson's correlations, then multiple hierarchical regression models were computed to isolate predictors. Orgasm experience and psychological factors emerged as moderate correlates of both SS and SD, while neurological factors did not. Interoceptive awareness and trait mindfulness showed weak associations with SD and none with SS. Among the tested predictors, experience of orgasm emerged as the strongest for SS (β = -.29, p <.01), followed by mood, which predicted SS and SD. Sexual and body esteem was predictive of SD only. In sexually active participants, sexual mindfulness predicted both SS (β = 0.55, p <.001) and SD (β = -0.56, p <.001) above and beyond all other variables. This study reveals unique aspects of SS and SD postinjury and supports further consideration of psychological and perceptual dimensions of SCI sexuality in rehabilitation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a chronic pain condition characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterus. Affected individuals and their partners report consequences to sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and relationship quality. Previous studies in clinical and non-clinical samples have found that sexual motivation can support or detract from sexual functioning; however, similar investigations are lacking among couples with endometriosis. Informed by self-determination theory, associations between autonomous and controlled sexual motivations with sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction for persons with endometriosis and their partners, and pain in persons with endometriosis were investigated. Couples (n = 54) completed measures of sexual motivation, sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and pain. When persons with endometriosis reported greater autonomous sexual motivation, they were more sexually and relationally satisfied. When persons with endometriosis reported higher controlled sexual motivation, their pain was more unpleasant, and they and their partners were less sexually satisfied. Finally, when partners reported greater controlled sexual motivation, both members of the couple reported significantly lower sexual functioning. While controlled sexual motivation may hinder sexual and relational well-being in couples with endometriosis, autonomous sexual motivation may support them. The findings may inform interventions to promote sexual and relational health in couples with endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Twenty five years have passed since the first national survey on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japan. The Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine conducted a nationwide survey on the actual status of sexual function targeting men over 20 years old in Japan using validated questionnaires commonly used in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Japanese men aged 20 to 79 years participated in our online epidemiological study on sexual dysfunction. Erectile status was assessed by direct questioning and specific questionnaires. Risk factors and frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were assessed. The prevalence of these risk factors was compared between men with and without ED. Prevalence and frequencies were calculated for each 5-year age group. Main outcomes were the prevalence and number of patients with ED and simultaneous evaluation of age-related variations. Results: Direct questioning of the men revealed that 13.0% felt troubled by ED. Although 81.0% of them had at least some ED symptoms based on a Sexual Health Inventory For Men score of ≤21, the prevalence of men with ED by Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the most appropriate questionnaire for Japanese with low sexual activity, was 30.9%, indicating that 14,012,596 men have ED. Most risk factors were related with ED, whereas frequencies of sexual intercourse, masturbation, nocturnal erections, and feeling sexual desire were affected by aging. However, the low frequency of these factors in the young generation was surprising. Conclusions: The EHS-based assessment revealed a prevalence of ED of 30.9%, which affected approximately 14 million men, and that the sexual desire, erection stiffness, orgasms, and satisfaction were lower than expected in young Japanese men, especially those aged 20 to 24 years, although those factors tended to worsen with aging. We believe that these findings actually reveal the current sexual status of men in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay discusses two seventeenth-century literary works that compel us to re-historicize debates over reading methods and thereby to reassess what count as feminist and queer modes of critique: George Thornley's 1657 translation of Longus's Daphnis and Chloe , and Aphra Behn's Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and his Sister , published in three parts between 1684 and 1687. Formally and structurally, erotic literature written for and, in Behn's case, by women complicates modern methodological categories that pit affect against context, surface against symptom, and reparative against paranoid reading. Early modern erotica, literature that both portrays and provokes sexual arousal, offers a valuable archive for understanding histories of affect and sexuality that refuse this investment in women's innocence, sexual as well as political. Attending to the perverse and suspicious reading demanded by pastoral and roman à clef , this essay shows how the desire for innocence—sexual, political, scholarly—can implicate us more deeply in the gendered and racial hierarchies that feminist criticism seeks to dismantle. [M.S.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• No main effect of CRP on sexual satisfaction, frequency or sex, or orgasm frequency. • Approach motivation is key to link between CRP and sexual well-being with partner. • Higher CRP linked to better sex for more relational-reward motivated individuals. • Approach moderated link between CRP and other affiliative outcomes (touch, support) • Approach did not moderate link between CRP and individual positive behaviors. Much evidence on heightened inflammation and social behavior focuses on social withdrawal. Building on recent theory (Muscatell and Inagaki, 2021), we focused instead on the socially affiliative experience of sex. We investigated the interplay between immunology and motivation on sexual well-being among 158 individuals in romantic relationships. Inflammation, indexed by C-reactive protein (CRP), and sexual well-being were measured multiple times over a month. Relational approach motivation (i.e., motivation toward rewards in relationships) was measured at study entry. Results revealed significant associations between CRP and sexual satisfaction and partnered orgasms frequency for those most motivated to approach rewards with their partner. Interaction effects were replicated with relationship-focused psychological correlates of sexual well-being (e.g., touch, shared laughter, social support), but not with individual-focused outcomes (e.g., adapting to change, goal progress). This is one of the first human studies to demonstrate the body and mind coordinate to promote satisfying sexual experiences within romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the overwhelming support for the importance of sexual communication to intimate relationships, there is limited information about what motivates someone to engage in or avoid sexual communication. Motivational frameworks have been applied to various aspects of intimate relationships, serving as strong predictors of different behavioural processes and playing a crucial role in facilitating behavioural change. As such, we aimed to elucidate the motivations for sexual communication and explore how they relate to other aspects of the process of sexual communication. A total of 373 participants were recruited from online crowdsourcing websites across two studies, and they completed online questionnaires using a mixed methods approach. In Study 1, open-ended responses regarding participants' motivations for sexual communication were inductively coded and aligned with the Regulatory Focus Theory, which describes two distinct modes of goal pursuit depending on if the person is focused on growth and advancement (i.e., promotion-focused) or safety and security (prevention-focused). This coding structure was replicated in Study 2, and we expanded the results to examine the predictive ability of the coded motivations. We found that those higher in attachment avoidance were more likely to have prevention-focused motivations, and those with relationship-oriented promotion-focused motivations reported more depth of both sexual and nonsexual communication as well as more relationship and sexual satisfaction. The implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to parenthood is characterized by physical changes and altered sexual dynamics that may be associated with a tendency for new parents to underestimate their partner's physical attraction to them and/or be more attuned to daily changes in their partner's attraction. To examine this possibility, this study assessed directional bias and tracking accuracy in new parents' perceptions of their partner's daily physical attraction to them. Fifty-nine couples completed 21-day diary tasks during pregnancy, 2 weeks after childbirth, and 15 weeks after childbirth (i.e., up to 63 diary days). Both mothers and fathers experienced increased appearance insecurity and decreased sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction across the transition. Moreover, at times when new parents reported higher appearance insecurity or lower sexual satisfaction, they underestimated their partner's physical attraction to them, but were not more likely to notice day-to-day fluctuations in their partner's attraction. Results highlight the misperceptions that can occur during this pivotal life transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are inconsistent reports regarding the relationship between cannabis use and male sexual function with almost no data about synthetic cannabinoids (SC) and their effect on male sexual functions. This study investigated psychological concerns related to male sexual functions among cannabis and SC users. The research assessed different sexual functions and aspects of sexual psychopathology in cannabis and SCs dependent men compared to controls. Method: Thirty male patients with cannabis dependence, thirty male patients with SCs dependence, and thirty matched controls from the outpatient clinic at Kasr Al Ainy hospital, Egypt, were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV TR Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and Sexuality scale. Results: The means of IIEF questionnaire in the cannabis and SC group were significant lower (worse) than the means of the control group (P <.001) except the orgasmic function in cannabis group (P =.052). In the SCs group, sexual depression was higher and preoccupation lower than in the cannabis group (P <.020; P <.003, respectively) and control groups (P <.001; P <.001, respectively). The duration and dose of cannabis and SCs correlated significantly with sexual esteem, sexual preoccupation and all domains of IIEF. Conclusion: Cannabis and SC dependence were associated with lower erectile function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction, and lower orgasmic functions in the SC group than controls. Both groups showed higher sexual depression, lower sexual esteem and sexual preoccupation than controls. SC has a higher negative impact on male sexual functions and psychopathology than does cannabis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Partner number sexuality” (P#S) refers to how many partners individuals have/are interested in having. Those with P#S outside of monogamous desires and/or practices commonly face stigma in North America and elsewhere. Yet theories of sexuality do not always make room for diverse P#S. One theory that does is sexual configurations theory (SCT), which visually models gender/sex and sexuality (van Anders, 2015). In this study, we investigated what insights SCT could provide into P#S, whether SCT was useful to those with minoritized P#S, and how those with minoritized P#S made use of SCT. To do so, we conducted online interviews, asking participants (N = 26) to complete two SCT diagrams and report on their experience. We used template analysis to analyze transcripts and compiled “SCT heatmaps,” aggregates of SCT diagrams. We constructed 11 major themes, including diverse understandings of eroticism and romantic/platonic relationships, the impacts of hermeneutical injustice (the injustice of knowledge systems) on participants’ abilities to conceptualize and discuss their P#S, and how SCT facilitated conversations about P#S. The heatmaps showed that participants made use of most of both SCT diagrams, showing branchedness in P#S between “eroticism” and “nurturance,” and between status, identity, and orientation. Our study highlights that the lived experience of partnering, especially of those with minoritized P#S, extends far beyond commonly understood categories, and that SCT is a useful tool that can accurately reflect diversity in P#S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether beliefs about autonomic arousal sensations and sexual sensation seeking explain some of the gender differences in self-reporting paraphilic sexual interests in 672 university students. A serial mediation model was used to test the direct association of gender and the indirect associations of positive interpretations of autonomic arousal sensations and sexual sensation seeking on paraphilic sexual interests. Anxiety sensitivity (e.g., the belief that anxiety sensations are dangerous) was included in the serial mediation model to evaluate the relationship between negative interpretations of autonomic arousal sensations and paraphilic interests. As predicted, men reported more paraphilic interests, sexual sensation seeking, positive beliefs about autonomic arousal sensations, and lower anxiety sensitivity than women. Participants' gender was indirectly related to paraphilic interests through positive beliefs about autonomic arousal sensations and sexual sensation seeking. Notably, positive interpretations of autonomic arousal sensations had a greater association with paraphilic sexual interests than anxiety sensitivity. When autonomic arousal sensations are interpreted positively, they may facilitate sexual sensation seeking, and people may endorse more paraphilic sexual interests. Future research on paraphilias should further examine positive interpretations of autonomic arousal sensations as they may relate to sexual sensation seeking and the endorsement of paraphilic interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plurisexual parents (who are attracted to more than one gender) represent a unique group of parents, yet there are no current studies that examine associations between relationship structures and sexual well-being, parenting self-efficacy, resilience, and positive plurisexual identity-related outcomes. This is the purpose of the current study in addition to understanding how branches (or differences) in relationship configurations preferences (e.g., CNM) versus current lived experiences (e.g., monogamous) are associated with sexual well-being, parenting self-efficacy, resilience and positive plurisexual identity-related outcomes. The current mixed methods study included 548 plurisexual parents, of which 85 reported branches between their preferred relationship configuration and their current relationship structure. Results indicated unique differences between plurisexual parents engaged in CNM relationships (higher levels of positive plurisexual identity-related intimacy) and monogamous relationships (higher levels of positive plurisexual identity-related authenticity and parenting self-efficacy). Branches in preferred and current relationship structures predicted lower levels of sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction and positive plurisexual identity-related intimacy. Qualitative analyses of comparisons between ideal and current sexual lives among 85 participants with branches in preferred and current relationship structures indicated that participants experience typical sexual difficulties that parents have reported in previous research, some participants were happy with their current sexual life, others wished for more sex and sexploration with their current partner and some participants were not satisfied with their current relationship structure. Findings have implications for future research and clinical practice with plurisexual parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual satisfaction is associated with a person’s intrinsic perceived sense of pleasure from sexual behaviors. People’s perception of sexual satisfaction and its related factors vary with the culture. The present study explored the husbands’ sexual and emotional relationships as predictors of sexual satisfaction Iranian women. This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study that includes 490 married women who referred to the health centers in North of Iran, in 2016. The health centers were selected randomly as samples. The mean age was 33.63 ± 9.15 years for participants and the mean number of sexual intercourse per month was 5.38 ± 3.1. The use of methods of contraception (p = 0.004), feeling of dislike for the husband (p < 0.001), less typical sex (p < 0.001), fatigued within sex in early hours of night (p < 0.001), the permanent second marriage of the husband (p < 0.001), and use of injectable contraceptive methods (p = 0.004) were the predictors of sexual satisfaction among women participating in this study. Observed results indicated that more than half of the women participating in this study (52.2%) achieved a high level of sexual satisfaction and less than half (42.2%) scored a moderate level of satisfaction. This difference in sexual satisfaction results could be caused by women’s shame to discuss sexual matters or complain about sex, low awareness of sexual health, the effect of personal perceptions, and transient sexual satisfaction as well as mental-emotional stresses, the effect of the most recent intimate relationship states with the husband, and hormonal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]