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Anisogamy, different-sized male and female gametes, sits at the heart of sexual selection and conflict between the sexes. Sperm producers (males) and egg producers (females) of the same species generally share most, if not all, of the same genome, but selection frequently favours different trait values in each sex for traits common to both. The extent to which this conflict might be resolved, and the potential mechanisms by which this can occur, have been widely debated. Here, we summarize recent findings and emphasize that once the sexes evolve, sexual selection is ongoing, and therefore new conflict is always possible. In addition, sexual conflict is largely a multivariate problem, involving trait combinations underpinned by networks of interconnected genes. Although these complexities can hinder conflict resolution, they also provide multiple possible routes to decouple male and female phenotypes and permit sex-specific evolution. Finally, we highlight difficulty in the study of sexual conflict over shared traits and promising directions for future research.

Infanticide and adoption have been attributed to sexual selection, where an individual later reproduces with the parent whose offspring it killed or adopted. While sexually selected infanticide is well known, evidence for sexually selected adoption is anecdotal. We report on both behaviors at 346 nests over 27 y in green-rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in Venezuela. Parrotlets are monogamous with long-term pair bonds, exhibit a strongly male-biased adult sex ratio, and nest in cavities that are in short supply, creating intense competition for nest sites and mates. Infanticide attacks occurred at 256 nests in two distinct contexts: 1) Attacks were primarily committed by nonbreeding pairs (69%) attempting to evict parents from the cavity. Infanticide attacks per nest were positively correlated with population size and evicting pairs never adopted abandoned offspring. Competition for limited nest sites was a primary cause of eviction-driven infanticide, and 2) attacks occurred less frequently at nests where one mate died (31%), was perpetrated primarily by stepparents of both sexes, and was independent of population size. Thus, within a single species and mating system, infanticide occurred in multiple contexts due to multiple drivers. Nevertheless, 48% of stepparents of both sexes adopted offspring, and another 23% of stepfathers exhibited both infanticide and long-term care. Stepfathers were often young males who subsequently nested with widows, reaching earlier ages of first breeding than competitors and demonstrating sexually selected adoption. Adoption and infanticide conferred similar fitness benefits to stepfathers and appeared to be equivalent strategies driven by limited breeding opportunities, male-biased sex ratios, and long-term monogamy.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual diverse individuals are at high risk for internalizing psychopathologies, such as depression. Understanding how symptom profiles of heterogeneous psychiatric disorders such as depression differ for sexually diverse vs. heterosexual individuals is thus critical to advance precision psychiatry and maximize our ability to effectively treat members of this population. Research has failed to consider the possibility of hierarchical phenotypes, wherein sexual orientation status may be uniquely and simultaneously associated with both depression broadly and with individual symptoms. METHOD: To address these issues, we conducted a moderated nonlinear factor analysis in Wave IV of the Add Health study, using sexual diversity status as a predictor of (a) latent depression, (b) factor loadings, and (c) individual symptoms, with and without controlling for race. RESULTS: Sexual diversity status was positively and simultaneously associated with latent depression, concentration difficulties, and happiness. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that sexually diverse populations not only face greater depression, broadly defined, but are disproportionately more likely to experience concentration difficulties and be happier compared to heterosexual counterparts. Methodologically, these models indicate that the CES-D is scalar noninvariant as a function of sexual diversity status (i.e., identical scores on the CES-D may represent different manifestations of depression for sexually diverse and heterosexual participants). Studies examining disparities in depression across heterosexual and sexually diverse samples should thus consider depression broadly as well as specific symptoms. Further, it is critical to examine whether these relations function via different mechanisms.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or similarly identified (LGBTQ+) people experience substantial mental health disparities compared to heterosexuals. The Lets Connect intervention was designed to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people. This impact evaluation aimed to assess effectiveness of this intervention during its pilot phase, using a single arm pilot trial. Respondents completed baseline surveys at intervention start, a post survey on the last day of the intervention (at 6 weeks), then a follow-up survey 6 weeks after the intervention ended (at 12 weeks). Pre-post differences in outcomes were analyzed using paired t-tests, chi-square tests, and generalized estimating equations to evaluate impact on mental health outcomes at 6 and 12 weeks, and identify characteristics associated with loss to follow-up. The average value of all three outcome measures decreased substantially between the baseline and post surveys; all of these differences were highly statistically significant, and further decreased between the end of the intervention at 6 weeks and the 12 week follow-up survey. Lets Connect participants did experience substantial improvements in mental health outcomes, on average, between the start and end of this intervention. Further study of this intervention using a randomized design and control group is warranted.

ObjectiveSexual and physical abuse predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women in the general population. Women living with HIV (WLWH) report more abuse and have higher CVD risk compared with other women, yet associations between abuse history and CVD have not been considered among WLWH. This study fills this gap, and describes possible pathways linking abuse to CVD risk among WLWH and women living without HIV (WLWOH).MethodsUsing 25 years of data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS; n  = 2734; WLWH n  = 1963; WLWOH n  = 771), we used longitudinal generalized estimating equations (GEE) to test associations between sexual and physical abuse with CVD risk. Framingham (FRS-H) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association-Pooled Cohort Equation (ACC/AHA-PCE) scores were examined. Analyses were stratified by HIV-serostatus.ResultsAmong WLWH, childhood sexual abuse was associated with higher CVD risk ( βFRS-H  = 1.25, SE = 1.08, P  = 0.005; βACC/AHA-PCE  = 1.14, SE = 1.07, P  = 0.04) compared with no abuse. Adulthood sexual abuse was associated with higher CVD risk for WLWH ( βFRS-H  = 1.39, SE = 1.08, P

Food and/or housing instability (FHI) has been minimally examined in post-9/11 US veterans. A randomly selected nationally representative sample of men and women veterans (n = 38,633) from the post-9/11 US veteran population were mailed invitation letters to complete a survey on health and well-being. Principal component analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify FHIs key constructs and correlates for 15,166 men and women respondents (9524 men, 5642 women). One-third of veterans reported FHI; it was significantly more likely among women than men (crude odds ratio = 1.31, 95% CI:1.21-1.41) and most prevalent post-service (64.2%). Mental Health/Stress/Trauma, Physical Health, and Substance Use were FHIs major constructs. In both sexes, significant adjusted associations (p < 0.01) were found between FHI and homelessness, depression, adverse childhood experiences, low social support, being enlisted, being non-deployed, living with seriously ill/disabled person(s), and living in dangerous neighborhoods. In men only, posttraumatic stress disorder (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.37, 95% CI:1.14-1.64), cholesterol level (elevated versus normal, AOR = 0.79, 95% CI:0.67-0.92), hypertension (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI:1.07-1.47), and illegal/street drug use (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI:1.10-1.49) were significant (p < 0.01). In women only, morbid obesity (AOR = 1.90, 95%CI:1.05-3.42) and diabetes (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI:1.06-2.20) were significant (p < 0.05). Interventions are needed that jointly target adverse food and housing, especially for post-9/11 veteran women and enlisted personnel.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has consistently shown that the involvement of families plays a vital role in reducing risk behaviors, such as engaging in condomless sex, and promoting HIV prevention behaviors among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). With the aim of expanding the existing knowledge, this study aimed to examine the specific influence of families and other supportive adults in facilitating casual condom use, partner condom use, HIV testing, and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization among young Black MSM. METHODS: A sample of YBMSM aged 18-29 years (N = 400) was collected online. We used a path analysis to examine the influence of family factors on PrEP stigma and PrEP use. Respondents were recruited from December 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022. We used a path analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of family factors on PrEP use through HIV testing and encouraging condom use. RESULTS: Among BMSM, other adult support was positive and directly associated with condom use by both casual partners (β = 0.04, p

ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with sexual interest and activity among adults with spina bifida and to describe the sexual profile of those who were sexually active. Sexual health of adults with spina bifida is often neglected and current knowledge on the topic is limited.MethodsAn anonymous web-based survey was advertised and administered between March 2018 and September 2018 and participants 16 years and older with spina bifida were included in this study. Respondents were asked about sexual interest, activity, and function using the validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sexual Function Profile. Bivariate and multivariable models with ordinal logistic regression were fitted to evaluate predictors of sexual interest and sexual function.ResultsOf the 261 respondents with a self-reported diagnosis of spina bifida (mean age of 38.5 years), 73.2% noted at least a little bit of interest in sexual activity. In multivariate analysis, women were less likely to report higher sexual interest than men (odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.92, P = .03) whereas those with higher physical functioning were more likely to have higher sexual interest (OR = 1.04, confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.07, P = .03). Just less than half of respondents (46.4%) were sexually active in the past 30 days, and those with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt were less likely to engage in sexual activity compared to those without (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.68; P

Background/purposeThe American Society of Clinical Oncology has called for an increased priority to improve cancer care for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations because of heightened risk of receiving disparate treatment and having suboptimal experiences, including perceived discrimination. We demonstrate how integrating trauma-informed care (TIC) principles across the cancer continuum is a key strategy to improving care delivery and outcomes among SGM populations.MethodThis empirically informed perspective expands on the concepts generated through the American Society of Clinical Oncology position statement and uses the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association's "Four Rs" Toward Trauma Informed Care: Realize, Recognize, Response, and Resist Traumatization.ResultsRecommendations for each component of TIC include: (1) Realize: Implement SGM cultural humility training, including modules on SGM-specific trauma, discrimination, harassment, and violence; (2) Recognize: Routinely screen for emotional distress using methods to ensure privacy, and/or normalize mental health screenings to cancer patients; (3) Respond: Create and widely disseminate policies and patients' rights that prohibit discrimination and ensure access to gender-neutral clinical environments; and (4) Resist Traumatization: Establish and respond to quality metrics (e.g., standardized patients, patient satisfaction surveys) that are informed by a community advisory board with the purpose of ensuring and maintaining quality care.Conclusions and implicationsIntegrating TIC principles into cancer care for SGM populations is crucial to address disparities in treatment and clinical outcomes. Our recommendations offer practical approaches for oncology teams to implement TIC care and ensure equitable and inclusive cancer care for patients and their families.

BACKGROUND: Male sex workers (MSWs), specifically cisgender men who exchange sex for money, goods, drugs, or other items of value with other cisgender men, are at high risk for HIV infection. Compared to men not engaged in sex work, MSWs are more likely to engage in frequent condomless sex with paying and non-paying sexual partners. While MSWs are often included as a subgroup of gay and bisexual men, data show that a large proportion identify as heterosexual; additionally, most MSWs do not identify as sex workers. This places MSWs in a unique position where they may not engage with traditional HIV prevention programs, and when they do, they may not feel comfortable, leading to poor retention. Thus, HIV prevention interventions that address MSWs unique life circumstances and provide support in exploring their sexual health options are needed. METHODS: In this protocol paper, we describe the design and procedures for a National Institute of Health-funded, randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of PrEPare for Work,- a theory-based, manualized PrEP uptake and adherence intervention for MSW - using a 2-stage randomization design. Stage 1: MSWs are equally randomized to receive either the PrEPare for Work Stage 1 intervention (strength-based case management and facilitated PrEP linkage) or Standard of Care (SOC) to evaluate successful PrEP uptake (prescription filled) within two months post-randomization. Stage 2: Those who initiate PrEP are then equally re-randomized to receive either the PrEPare for Work Stage 2 intervention (1-on-1 skills training, problem-solving, and motivational interviewing adherence counseling and personalized, daily text message reminders) or SOC to assess adherence (Tenofovir concentrations in hair) over 12 months of follow up. Planned analyses will examine intervention efficacy, specific conceptual mediators, and hypothesized moderators. DISCUSSION: Based on our extensive preliminary research, multi-component, theory-informed interventions targeting this subpopulation of MSWs unique life circumstances are urgently needed. In this study, we are evaluating whether PrEPare for Work can improve PrEP uptake and adherence among MSWs. If this intervention is efficacious, it would be readily disseminated to diverse community organizations that serve MSWs and possibly other community or clinic-based settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT05736614, registered February 8, 2023.

Objective: With the rapid growth in the population of Asian and Asian American college students in the United States, there is a need for research examining their participation in potentially risky sexual behaviors in order to expand understanding of this group's needs. This study focused on attachment orientation and hookup motives as predictors of hookup behaviors, which involve engaging in sexual behaviors without expectation of a long-term relationship.Methods: Participants included 169 Asian or Asian American college students ranging in age from 18 to 27 years who completed an online survey.Results: Results indicated that over half of participants reported engaging in hookup behaviors. The strongest predictors of hookup behaviors were increased age, liberal sexual attitudes, motivations to achieve excitement/sexual enhancement, and motivations to find a long-term partner. However, attachment orientations did not predict hookup behaviors. Results provide insight into a profile of Asian American college students increasingly exploring sexuality throughout young adulthood.

Do psychedelics affect sexual functioning postacutely? Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests they do, but this has never been formally tested. While sexual functioning and satisfaction are generally regarded as an important aspect of human wellbeing, sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of mental health disorders. It is also a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a first line treatment for depression. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the post-acute effects of psychedelics on self-reported sexual functioning, combining data from two independent studies, one large and naturalistic and the other a smaller but controlled clinical trial. Naturalistic use of psychedelics was associated with improvements in several facets of sexual functioning and satisfaction, including improved pleasure and communication during sex, satisfaction with ones partner and physical appearance. Convergent results were found in a controlled trial of psilocybin therapy versus an SSRI, escitalopram, for depression. In this trial, patients treated with psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while patients treated with escitalopram did not. Despite focusing on different populations and settings, this is the first research study to quantitively investigate the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Results imply a potential positive effect on post-acute sexual functioning and highlight the need for more research on this.

BACKGROUND: Most health and developmental issues affecting young people are interrelated. However, few interventions address multiple behavioral domains simultaneously or are based on theories that encompass a holistic perspective of youth development. AIM: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and describe the range of theory-based, multibehavioral health interventions aimed at improving two or more of the following behavioral youth outcomes: (1) sexual and reproductive health; (2) education and employment; (3) violence; and (4) substance use. METHODS: Interventions conducted worldwide and published in English or Spanish between January 2000 and July 2020 were identified using four databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, LILACS, and SciELO. RESULTS: A total of 11,084 articles were identified, of which 477 were retrieved and assessed for eligibility. Twenty-three articles (evaluating 21 interventions) ultimately met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions were conducted in the United States and addressed two behavioral domains of interest, although seven interventions incorporated three domains, and one incorporated all four. Substance use was the most common domain (16 interventions) but only in the United States/Canada, followed by sexual and reproductive health (14 interventions). All produced significant improvement in at least one outcome or for at least one subgroup of youth. The most common theoretical foundations were positive youth development and social learning theory. CONCLUSION: Integrated interventions that are theory based and evidence informed can support positive development and empower youth to make healthy decisions. Further efforts are needed to address structural and policy issues that affect young peoples developmental opportunities and health outcomes.

Across internally fertilising species, males transfer ejaculate proteins that trigger wide-ranging changes in female behaviour and physiology. Much theory has been developed to explore the drivers of ejaculate protein evolution. The accelerating availability of high-quality genomes now allows us to test how these proteins are evolving at fine taxonomic scales. Here, we use genomes from 264 species to chart the evolutionary history of Sex Peptide (SP), a potent regulator of female post-mating responses in Drosophila melanogaster. We infer that SP first evolved in the Drosophilinae subfamily and has since followed markedly different evolutionary trajectories in different lineages. Outside of the Sophophora-Lordiphosa, SP exists largely as a single-copy gene with independent losses in several lineages. Within the Sophophora-Lordiphosa, the SP gene family has repeatedly and independently expanded. Up to seven copies, collectively displaying extensive sequence variation, are present in some species. Despite these changes, SP expression remains restricted to the male reproductive tract. Alongside, we document considerable interspecific variation in the presence and morphology of seminal microcarriers that, despite the critical role SP plays in microcarrier assembly in D. melanogaster, appears to be independent of changes in the presence/absence or sequence of SP. We end by providing evidence that SP's evolution is decoupled from that of its receptor, Sex Peptide Receptor, in which we detect no evidence of correlated diversifying selection. Collectively, our work describes the divergent evolutionary trajectories that a novel gene has taken following its origin and finds a surprisingly weak coevolutionary signal between a supposedly sexually antagonistic protein and its receptor.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic associations of online dating in a demographically diverse U.S. national cohort of early adolescents.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018-2020, ages 11-12; N = 10,157). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, household income, parental education) and early adolescent-reported online dating behaviors.ResultsOverall, 0.4% (n = 38) of participants reported ever using a dating app. Males (AOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11-6.78) had higher odds of online dating compared to females, and sexual minority identification (e.g., lesbian, gay, or bisexual; AOR 12.97, 95% CI 4.32-38.96) was associated with greater odds of online dating compared to heterosexual identification.ConclusionGiven the occurrence of online dating among early adolescents despite age restrictions, interventions might address age misrepresentation. Adolescent sexual health education may consider incorporating anticipatory guidance on online dating, especially for males and sexual minorities. Future research could further investigate online dating patterns from early to late adolescence and associated health effects.

The workforce of mental health providers serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning (LGBTQ+) youth lags far behind the demand for LGBTQ-focused mental health care. Unsatisfactory training and a lack of standardized training metrics for accredited programs perpetuate the lack of preparedness among providers. The presence of LGBTQ+ faculty and mentors in medical education increases the amount of LGBTQ+ content taught to trainees and improves professional development for LGBTQ+ trainees. Inclusive workplace practices and affirming care policies may also improve retention and recruitment of LGBTQ-serving mental health providers.

The relationship between food insecurity and transactional sex is well recognized, but less is known about this relationship among adolescents. We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from 3,130 female secondary students aged 12-19 enrolled in a three-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial to examine the association between food insecurity and transactional sex. The explanatory variable was food security and the outcome was ever engaging in transactional sex. Over one quarter (28.7%) reported any food insecurity and 1.9% of all participants (9.6% of sexually active participants) reported ever engaging in transactional sex. In adjusted models, ever experiencing any food insecurity was associated with a higher prevalence of ever transactional sex (PR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.49) compared to little to no food insecurity. These results provide insight into potential predictors of higher-risk sexual behavior in Rwanda; they also provide policy-makers with populations with whom to intervene on upstream determinants of transactional sex, notably poverty and food insecurity.

Innate behaviors ensure animal survival and reproductive success. Defending their territory, escaping from predators or mating with a sexual partner, are fundamental behaviors determining the ecological fitness of individuals. Remarkably, all these behaviors share a common neural substrate, as they are under the control of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Decades of research have contributed to understanding the exquisite diversity of functional ensembles underlying the wide array of functions that the VMH carries out. These functional ensembles are usually distributed throughout the dorsoventral and mediolateral axes of this nucleus. However, increasing evidence is bringing to attention the functional diversity of the VMH across its anteroposterior axis. In this review, we will overview our current understanding of how different ensembles within the VMH control a wide array of animal behaviors, emphasizing the newly discovered roles for its anterior subdivision in the context of conspecific self‐defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levamisole is an anti-helminthic drug developed and introduced in veterinary medicine, and it has been used more frequently after the inclusion of its usage in human medicine regarding disorders with immunomodulatory properties. In recent years, it has started to attract attention since it has beneficial effects on the treatment of COVID-19 due to its immunomodulatory properties. To investigate the effects of levamisole on sexual behavior and the reproductive system in male rats, two groups were formed the vehicle (n = 10) and levamisole (n = 10) groups. The vehicle group was given purified water whereas the levamisole group was administered with levamisole (2 mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 4 weeks. Levamisole treatment significantly increased the mount latency (ML, P < 0.001) as well as the intromission latency (IL, P < 0.01). It also significantly prolonged postejaculatory interval (PEI, P < 0.01), decreased copulatory rate (CR, P < 0.05), and sexual activity index (SAI, P < 0.05). It significantly decreased serum monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, levamisole induced disorganizations of germinal epithelial cells of seminiferous tubules, congestion, edema in the interstitial area, and metaphase arrest in some spermatocytes (P < 0.001), and it significantly increased the immunohistochemical expressions of apoptotic Bax and cytochrome c, which is crucial proapoptotic protein, in the testis (P < 0.001). Also, levamisole significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of the apoptosis-related key regulatory genes, including Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein, P = 0.05) and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (P < 0.01) in testis. The current research is the first to show that levamisole may decrease sexual performance, potency, sexual motivation, and libido and induce apoptosis in the testis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexuality education (SE) can be acquired through different sources. In a cross-sectional online study with Spanish and Portuguese participants (N = 595), we examined differences between formal traditional sources (i.e., mandatory SE received in schools), formal modern sources (e.g., SE received in courses), informal traditional sources (e.g., talks with friends and family), and informal modern sources (e.g., pornography and online content) and their contribution to sexual health and well-being outcomes. Results showed that sexual and reproductive health were among the most addressed topics across all sources. Nearly all participants received SE from informal sources, whereas more than two-thirds received SE from formal traditional sources. Results of a linear regression model showed that participants who perceived more influence from formal traditional sources reported using condoms more often, were more focused on disease prevention, and enacted more sexual health communication, but were also less sex-positive. Participants who perceived more influence from both types of informal sources attributed more importance to SE topics but reported having condomless sex more frequently and were more focused on pleasure promotion. Still, participants who perceived more influence from informal traditional sources also endorsed more internal/external consent, were more sexually satisfied, were more sex-positive, and enacted more sexual health practices. Lastly, participants who perceived more influence from informal modern sources were also more likely to have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Only a small proportion of participants received SE from formal modern sources and had to be excluded from this analysis. Some differences between Spain and Portugal are discussed. Taken together, our findings highlight the need to consider different sources for a more comprehensive and inclusive SE, in articulation with sociocultural and political contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has shown there is a relationship between body image, sexual behavior, and pleasure. However, the majority of this research has centered on heterosexual participants. In this analysis, the author considers how this relationship between body image, sexual behavior, and pleasure may look within women and genderqueer individuals who are all AFAB (assigned female at birth) with 26 out of 30 participants identifying as LGBTQIA+. The author examines perceptions of body size, body hair, and genitals to consider how intersections of social structures - specifically internalized sexism, racism, and misogyny - influence the participants' experience of sexual interactions. Both resistance and embodiment of traditional gender norms, even as queer women and genderqueer individuals, were examined in these narratives. The majority of the moments where traditional gender norms are examined describe situations when the participants were sexually interacting with cis-gendered men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do participants navigate the sexual politics of multiracial dating and how does this relate to belonging? The results of this study illustrate that the 21 participants interviewed faced internal and external struggles and triumphs due to their mixed-race identity. For participants, trying to situate themselves into just one racial identity when they straddled both became a point of contention with romantic partners and themselves. Moreover, participants struggled with feeling like they were "enough" and if they belonged. Furthermore, mixed-race women and non-binary people were forced to navigate the racial expectations of others as well as the fetishization of their mixed-race identity. In turn, this impacted confidence levels, self-esteem, and sense of belonging and authenticity. The findings contribute to research on desirability and critical mixed-race studies by examining how mixed-race women and non-binary people perceive their own desirability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: We examined the various ways that religiousness influences sexual health, elucidating the mechanisms responsible for both helpful and harmful effects. Recent Findings: Religious beliefs, behavior, and belonging influence sexual health by (a) discouraging specific sexual behaviors, (b) discouraging sex generally, (c) encouraging sex only in a heterosexual marriage, (d) encouraging sex only for procreation, (e) framing sex as a sacred spiritual act, (f) providing a community of support, and (g) reinforcing sexual norms. These beliefs, behaviors, and sense of belonging may undermine or support sexual health knowledge, sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, perceptions of compulsive sexual behavior, recovery from sexual violence, sexually conservative behavior, sex anxiety, and sex guilt/shame. Summary: Religious beliefs, behaviors, and sense of belonging simultaneously undermine and support sexual health. "Both/and" approaches that hold this dialectic undermining and support are more helpful in guiding future work rather than "either/or" approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Oxytocin plays many diverse roles in physiological and behavioral processes, including social activity, parental nurturing, stress responses, and sexual function. In this narrative review, we provide an update on the most noteworthy recent findings in this fascinating field. Recent Findings: The development of techniques such as serial two-photon tomography and fiber photometry have provided a window into oxytocin neuroanatomy and real-time neuronal activity during social interactions. fMRI and complementary mapping techniques offer new insights into oxytocin's influence on brain activity and connectivity. Indeed, oxytocin has recently been found to influence the acquisition of maternal care behaviors and to mediate the influence of social touch on brain development and social interaction. Additionally, oxytocin plays a crucial role in male sexual function, affecting erectile activity and ejaculation, while its role in females remains controversial. Recent studies also highlight oxytocin's interaction with other neuropeptides, such as melanin-concentrating hormone, serotonin, and arginine vasopressin, influencing social and affective behaviors. Finally, an update is provided on the status of clinical trials involving oxytocin as a therapeutic intervention. Summary: The exploration of oxytocin's complexities and its interplay with other neuropeptides holds promise for targeted treatment in various health and disease contexts. Overall, these findings contribute to the discovery of new and specific pathways to allow therapeutic targeting of oxytocin to treat disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Design Method Results Discussion Conclusion Clinical relevance The increase in risky sexual behaviors among adolescent students has sparked alarm and has become an area of research interest. As adolescents prioritize confidentiality and accessibility, digital interventions are becoming increasingly relevant in sex education. We therefore posed the following research question: Are digital application interventions effective to prevent risky sexual behaviors in school adolescents?A systematic peer review was conducted between January and December 2023 in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) without restricting for language or year of publication.We included randomized control trials or quasi‐experimental studies that measured the effectiveness of interventions targeting young people aged 10–19 years or their parents and developed in a school setting. Interventions aimed at young people with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, or any disease requiring a specific intervention were excluded.The search ultimately yielded 27 studies covering a total of 18 digital interventions that demonstrated positive effects, not maintained over time, on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, although the latter to a lesser extent.We have found very interesting digital interventions with effects, among others, on knowledge, attitudes, and contraceptive use in adolescents. In general, digital interventions have positive effects on knowledge and attitudes, but it is more difficult to modify behaviors with strictly digital interventions or combined with complementary face‐to‐face sessions or group class activities.We thus believe that digital interventions are adequate to reduce adolescent sexual risk behaviors, and our systematic review facilitates the implementation of these interventions by sharing existing digital interventions that have had positive effects, as well as the main characteristics a digital intervention should possess to reduce sexually risky behaviors in adolescents.Digital interventions with adolescents improve sexual behaviors and can be a valuable resource in education on this topic due to their accessibility and confidentiality, two key points for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We aimed to obtain epidemiologic data on the level of physical activity during pregnancy, physical activity barriers of pregnant women, and sexual activity during pregnancy in Türkiye. We investigated the relationships between physical and sexual activity in pregnant women and labor-related variables. Materials and Methods: The study included volunteers who gave birth in the maternal ward of tertiary training and research hospital. To determine the physical activity levels in pregnancy, “International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)” and “Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (PARMED-X)” scales were used. In addition, participants were questioned about their sexual activity during pregnancy. Participants’ data on the duration of the first and second phases of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, oxytocin administration for labor induction, and unplanned Cesarean section (Cs) were obtained from patients’ electronic medical records. Results: The study included 173 pregnant women. Seventy-seven (44.50%) participants were nulliparous. With increasing age, participants were found to be less physically active (p=0.235). There was no correlation between physical activity levels and duration of the phases of labor, gestational age, oxytocin usage, postpartum hemorrhage, and type of delivery. Lower gestational weight gain was observed in the physically active group. There was a relationship between an increase in sexual activities during pregnancy and a shorter duration of the second phase of labor (p=0.018). Conclusion: Our study showed that physical activity levels tended to decrease in pregnant women, and pregnancy-related side effects were mainly responsible for this situation. It was observed that physical activity levels and sexual activity had limited effects on labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we describe a qualitative study in which we examined perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on help-seeking individuals who access child sexual abuse material (CSAM, legally referred to as child pornography). The study recruited 18 participants who were part of the internet based Prevent It Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) clinical trial, which aims to reduce CSAM use and child exploitation, and were willing to answer questions during a semi-structured interview about the perceived impact of the pandemic restrictions on their lives, including their sexual thoughts and behaviors. Key themes that were identified from the participants' answers included changes in day-to-day life, mental health, sexual thoughts, behaviors or urges, responses and coping strategies used to deal with sexual urges, changes on the forums, positive changes, and how they could best be assisted with coping in this situation. Our qualitative analysis also suggested that the pandemic affected urges to use CSAM, therefore potentially increasing the risk of online sexual offending. These results support that there is a need to investigate this potential negative side effect of quarantines or lockdowns before future pandemics. Users of child sexual abuse material were interviewed about changes in their daily lives as well as sexual thoughts and behaviors during the COVID-19 restrictions. The changes found, such as in general mental health and sexual urges, can increase the risk for sexual offending and are therefore important to consider regarding possible future lockdowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored factors that predict readiness to change among consumers of pornography. We obtained a cross-sectional survey sample concerning problematic pornography use (N = 892; 59% female; 87% White; mean age = 40). The Change Questionnaire was appropriate for this population and produced two internally consistent factors – confidence to change and importance of change. Using a bootstrapping methodology, a combination of variables (demographic, spiritual/religious, psychological symptoms, past reduction efforts, and addiction symptoms) predicted desire to reduce pornography use among participants. Among those desiring to reduce their pornography use, well-being (lower symptoms of psychological distress), religiosity, and relationship variables predicted both confidence to change and importance of changing while perception of addiction predicted importance to change. Findings may be used to help develop models of desire to and readiness to change along with motivational interviewing-based interventions for individuals wishing to reduce their pornography consumption. Clients who are more motivated or ready to change are more likely to engage, persist, and improve in treatment for addictions. This study found that among consumers of pornography, many individuals report an interest in changing (i.e., reducing) their consumption. Specific factors that showed readiness for change in pornography consumption, include a personal sense of well-being, religiosity, a current romantic relationship, and the perception of pornography use as an addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of sexualized drug use (SDU) and determine its association with a comprehensive set of sociodemographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors, prevention measures for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), and STI diagnosis in Spain. The sample consisted of 493 men who have sex with men between 18 and 78 years old (M age = 32.58, SD = 11.05). Approximately 37.9% of the participants had participated in SDU. Participants who practiced SDU were significantly more likely to be older and have more casual sexual partners and engage in less conventional sexual practices than those who did not. In addition, SDU was associated with less consistent condom use and greater use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to participants who did not practice SDU. Finally, the STI diagnosis was also significantly related to SDU. However, when condom use and PrEP was included and controlled in the model along with STI diagnosis, SDU was no longer related to a higher likelihood of STI diagnosis. These results reveal the need to strengthen programs to foster risk-reduction behaviors and reduce the incidence of health implications associated with SDU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Touch is a universal nonverbal action often used by romantic partners to demonstrate affection and care for each other. Attitudes toward touch might be particularly relevant across periods of relational strain—such as the transition to parenthood—when couples face many novel stressors and shifting priorities which can interfere with their sexual and affectionate experiences. New parent couples (N = 203) completed self-report measures online across six time-points (two prenatal). We tested whether couples' attitudes toward touch (touch aversion, touch for affection, touch for emotion regulation) at baseline (20 weeks mid-pregnancy) predicted their frequency of sexual and affectionate behaviors from mid-pregnancy through 12-month postpartum. Both partners' more positive attitudes toward touch (i.e., for affection and emotion regulation) and lower aversive attitudes toward touch, as measured in mid-pregnancy, predicted couples' higher frequency and variety of sexual and affectionate behaviors at 3-month postpartum. Touch attitudes generally did not predict the degree of change in the frequency or variety of sexual or affectionate behaviors, with one exception: non-birthing parents' more positive attitudes toward touch for emotion regulation in mid-pregnancy predicted a slower decline in couples' affectionate behaviors across pregnancy. Findings underscore a link between new parents' attitudes toward touch and their subsequent sexual and affectionate behaviors, particularly in the early postpartum period. New parents need to navigate novel sexual changes and a nonverbal strategy such as touch might be useful to promote intimacy and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of AIDS & Behavior is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)