Mixed-sex Relationships Research Articles

“Let’s not talk about it”: examining the interpersonal context of pornography use by investigating patterns of communicative avoidance

ABSTRACT We investigated the extent to which individuals deliberately avoid the topic of pornography use with their partner and how such avoidance influences the association between pornography use and sexual satisfaction. We reasoned that such communicative avoidance may account for some of the negative relational effects associated with pornography use. A sample of 191 participants in mixed-sex relationships completed online measures of pornography use, sexual satisfaction, and domain-specific and overall measures of communicative avoidance. Men tended to avoid the topic of pornography use more than other topics that have the potential to cause relationship conflict. Women did not avoid the topic of pornography use more or less than other relationship topics. Controlling for pornography use, men and women who were more likely to avoid the topic of pornography use were less likely to be sexually satisfied; this association remained significant for men (but not women) after controlling their overall communicative avoidance. Lastly, men who were high pornography users and reported high levels of overall communication avoidance were most likely to report lower sexual satisfaction. Our findings underscore the need to pay careful attention to relational processes and dynamics when investigating the influence of pornography use on intimate relationships.

Advancing a critical postmodern approach to stigma management communication (SMC) theory in the context of difficulty orgasming

ABSTRACT Addressing calls for increased communication scholarship that interrogates power in stigma processes, we develop a critical postmodern approach to stigma management communication (SMC) theory and demonstrate how it can be used in the context of difficulty orgasming. Semi-structured interviews with mostly white, cisgender women experiencing orgasm difficulties in mixed-sex relationships (N = 31) revealed how dominant discourse creates an idealized standard of sexual behavior that stigmatizes women with orgasm difficulties, and how stigma management strategies act as discursive practices that reify, resist, and transform the status quo. We extend SMC theory by articulating a critical postmodern approach that can be used to interrogate power in stigma processes, and by illuminating how stigma management strategies are enacted in varied ways and toward different ends. Practically, our findings underscore the need for multifaceted interventions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of stigma and offer recommendations for reducing stigma through health campaigns, programming, and care.

Exploring Civil Partnership From the Perspective of Those in Mixed-Sex Relationships: Embracing a Clean Slate of Equality

Civil partnerships first became available to mixed-sex couples in England and Wales in December 2019. To date, there has been no research exploring the perspectives of mixed-sex couples who choose to become civil partners. We interviewed 21 people, as individuals or in couples, who were considering, planning, or had already entered into a civil partnership. Our thematic analysis resulted in two themes. In Free from the patriarchal baggage of marriage: Civil partnership as a clean slate of equality, we discuss how participants portrayed marriage as imbued with problematic traditions. In contrast, civil partnerships were portrayed as a contemporary form of relationship recognition that was in fitting for them and their relationships. In the second theme, Doing thing differently? Rejecting or reimagining weddings we discuss how participants critiqued traditions to navigate whether and how to reject them entirely, or attempt to creatively reimagine them. We consider the implications of our results.

Divergent patterns of cognitive deficits and structural brain alterations between older adults in mixed‐sex and same‐sex relationships

AbstractBackgroundSexual minority (SM) or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer older adults experience health disparities that may cause cognitive decline. Several studies have reported higher rates of subjective cognitive complaints in SM older adults, but evidence of increased cognitive decline has been inconsistent. One study found that older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in same‐sex relationships (SSR), compared to mixed‐sex relationships (MSR), had more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with atrophy in fronto‐temporal regions. We sought to compare behavioral and structural brain parameters of SSR and MSR older adults and evaluate their impact on cognitive performance.MethodNational Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center data were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: 55+ years of age, presence of a co‐participant, and availability of brain volume and mean thickness data. Clinical Dementia Rating® (CDR®) scores were used to assign participants to cognitively impaired (CI; CDR®≥0.5) or cognitively unimpaired (CU; CDR®<0.5) groups. We identified 1076 MSR (583 CU) and 38 SSR (25 CU) participants with Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q) data within six months of a study visit. Comprehensive neuropsychological test results were available for a sub‐sample of participants (940 MSR and 33 SSR). General linear models were used to investigate the effects of diagnosis, relationship, and NPI‐Q scores on structural and cognitive outcomes.ResultThe MSR group presented with more impairments. Diagnosis‐by‐relationship interaction effects were observed for brain parameters: 1) CI‐MSR had more atrophy in occipital, medio‐temporal, and frontal areas; 2) CU‐MSR had reduced volume/thickness in orbito‐frontal, insular, and anterior cingulate cortices. The MSR groups had greater executive, memory, and language deficits. Neuropsychiatric symptom severity was negatively associated with volume and thickness of bilateral temporo‐cingulate areas and total MMSE scores in the MSR groups only.ConclusionMSR older adults had greater cognitive and behavioral impairments compared to SSR older adults. CI‐MSR had greater grey matter atrophy in areas particularly affected by AD (i.e., medio‐temporal regions). Our results suggest that SM older adults may present with less neurocognitive impairment on comprehensive assessment, despite previous evidence of subjective complaints. Further investigations are needed to clarify factors influencing cognitive decline in older SM.

Divergent patterns of cognitive deficits and structural brain alterations between older adults in mixed-sex and same-sex relationships.

BackgroundSexual minority (SM) older adults experience mental health disparities. Psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are risk factors for cognitive decline. Although older people in same-sex (SSR) compared to mixed-sex relationships (MSR) perform more poorly on cognitive screening tests, prior studies found no differences in rates of dementia diagnosis or neuropsychological profiles. We sought to explore the role of NPS on neurocognitive outcomes for SM populations. We compared cognitive performance and structural brain parameters of older adults in SSR and MSR.MethodsData were originally collected at Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs). Inclusion criteria were: age of 55+ years, a study partner identified as a spouse/partner, and availability of T1-MRI brain volumes/thickness. Participants were labeled as either SSR or MSR based on their/their co-participant's reported sex. We identified 1,073 participants (1,037 MSR−555 cognitively unimpaired [CU]; 36 SSR−23 CU) with structural MRI data, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) scores. A subset of the overall sample completed comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (n = 939; 908 MSR−494 CU; 31 SSR−22 CU). Covariates included in statistical models were age, sex, education, total intracranial volume, and apolipoprotein E genotype.ResultsMultivariate general linear models showed significant diagnosis-by-relationship interaction effects on the left parahippocampal gyrus volume. After stratification by relationship group, only cognitively impaired (CI) MSR had significantly smaller left parahippocampal volumes than MSR-CU. The SSR group showed better episodic memory performance. Severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms was negatively associated with volume/thickness of bilateral fronto-temporal areas and with MMSE scores, predominantly in the MSR group.ConclusionIn our study, MSR participants presented with a more compromised cognitive profile than SSR participants. MSR-CI participants showed significantly smaller left medio-temporal volumes, a neural signature of AD. Neuropsychiatric symptoms predicted smaller fronto-temporal volumes in the MSR more consistently than in the SSR group. These findings may be due to unexplored protective factors against cognitive decline in SM elders. Indeed, social support has been proposed as a protective factor warranting future investigation.

An empirical investigation of the roles of biological, relational, cognitive, and emotional factors in explaining sex differences in dyadic sexual desire

One challenge many marital couples face is that they experience discrepant levels of sexual desire for one another. Such discrepancies are particularly likely to arise in mixed-sex relationships because, at least in long-term relationships, men tend to have higher levels of sexual desire for their partner than do women. But what underlies this sex difference? We used a dyadic study of 100 mixed-sex community-based newlywed spouses to investigate the role of biological, relational, cognitive, and emotional factors in explaining sex differences in dyadic sexual desire for a long-term partner. Consistent with predictions, wives on average reported lower daily sexual desire for their spouse than did husbands. Moreover, individual differences in men’s and women’s levels of circulating testosterone explained this sex difference whereas relational (marital satisfaction, commitment), cognitive (sex-role identification, stress, self-esteem), and emotional (mood, depressive symptoms) factors did not. These findings advance our knowledge of factors that influence dyadic sexual desire and may have practical implications for treating relationship distress in mixed-sex marriages.

Change in 21 Sexual Concerns of New Parents From Three to Twelve Months Postpartum: Similarities and Differences between Mothers and Partners

BackgroundPostpartum sexual concerns are associated with depressive symptoms, distress, and lower relationship satisfaction, and are commonly reported by both mothers and their partners. Previous studies have examined changes in postpartum sexual concern using aggregate scores and have not examined patterns of change for unique concerns, thus ignoring that the initial levels and trajectories of a variety of distinct, postpartum sexual concerns may differ from one another and may differ between mothers and partners. AimsThe aims of the current study were to (i) examine how a variety of postpartum sexual concerns change from 3 to 12 months postpartum for mothers and their partners using a sample of first-time parents, and (ii) examine how mothers and their partners may differ in their initial levels and subsequent changes in postpartum sexual concerns. MethodsFirst-time mothers and their partners (N = 203 couples) independently completed a measure of 21 postpartum sexual concerns at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum. OutcomesPostpartum Sexual Concerns Questionnaire ResultsGrowth modeling indicated that twelve of mothers’ and 6 of partners’ postpartum sexual concerns declined over time from 3 to 12 months postpartum, only one concern of mothers’ and none of partners’ concerns increased over time, and the remaining 8 and 15 concerns were stable for mothers and partners, respectively. At 3 months postpartum, mothers had higher levels of 11 postpartum sexual concerns than partners, while partners had higher levels than mothers on 4 concerns. Compared to partners, from 3 to 12 months postpartum, mothers showed both steeper decreases in concern about body image changes and steeper increases in concern about returning to work. Clinical ImplicationsVarious postpartum sexual concerns do not all follow the same pattern of change over time, and mothers and their partners share similarities and differences in these patterns. Clinicians should use a checklist to discuss a range of postpartum sexual concerns with both new mothers and their partners. Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine how a variety of postpartum sexual concerns change over time and how mothers and partners both differ and are similar in their experiences. Most couples were in mixed-sex relationships, identified as White, and were relatively affluent; results may not generalize. ConclusionA variety of postpartum sexual concerns follow different patterns of change from 3 to 12 months postpartum, and mothers and partners share similarities and differences in these patterns.Allsop DB, Impett EA, Vannier SA, et al. Change in 21 Sexual Concerns of New Parents From Three to Twelve Months Postpartum: Similarities and Differences between Mothers and Partners. J Sex Med 2022;19:1366–1377.

On guard: Public versus private affection-sharing experiences in same-sex, gender-diverse, and mixed-sex relationships.

This study compared public versus private affection-sharing experiences of individuals in mixed-sex (N = 1018), same-sex (N = 561), and gender-diverse (N = 96) relationships. Private affection-sharing was similar across groups, except those in mixed-sex relationships reported somewhat less comfort doing so. Despite having a stronger desire to engage in public affection-sharing, those in same-sex and gender-diverse relationships shared public affection less frequently, were less comfortable doing so, refrained from doing so more often, and experienced much higher levels of vigilance related to public affection-sharing, compared to those in mixed-sex relationships. Heightened PDA-related vigilance may have health consequences, as higher levels were associated with worse psychological and physical well-being in all groups. However, individuals in same-sex relationships showed weaker associations between vigilance and well-being than those in mixed-sex relationships, suggesting possible resilience. Still, engaging in vigilance may take its toll, potentially serving as a mechanism through which minority stress works its effects. When we controlled for PDA-related vigilance, psychological and physical well-being levels in same-sex relationships increased relative to mixed-sex peers.

LGBTIQ+ break-up assemblages: At the end of the rainbow

This article explores Finnish LGBTIQ+ people’s break-ups. The long battle for equal rights has placed LGBTIQ+ people’s relationships under pressure to succeed. Previous studies argue that partners in LGBTIQ+ relationships try to appear as ordinary and happy as possible, and remain silent about the challenges they face in their relationships. Consequently, they may miss out on opportunities to receive institutional and familial support. This study aims to move beyond recurrent frameworks that take the similarity or difference between LGBTIQ+ relationships/break-ups and mixed-sex relationships as a predefined point of departure. The analysis draws on ethnographic observations of relationship seminars for the recently separated, an online counselling site for LGBTIQ+ people, survey data, and interviews with LGBTIQ+ people who have experienced recent break-ups. It employs the Deleuzo-Guattarian concept of assemblages in order to show how different components and manifold power relations come to matter in different ways in the course of the open-ended becomings of relationship break-ups.

The Impact of Bisexual Identity on Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction of Mixed Sex Couples

Despite advances in research into minority sexual identities, bisexual identity research has been limited. Studies conducted to date suggest that bisexuality is often perceived as a ‘transitional’ identity and bisexual individuals in relationships are often perceived to be either straight, lesbian, or gay based on the gender of their relationship partner. The current couple-based study focuses on the experiences of bisexual individuals in mixed-sex relationships and how bisexual identity may impact sexual and relationship satisfaction of both members of the couple. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from both members of 142 mixed-sex couples (N = 284). Analyses indicated that feelings of illegitimacy of bisexuality and outness to family were negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction of both partners whereas intimacy was positively associated with sexual satisfaction for both partners. The results highlight the importance of acknowledging bisexual identity even in the context of long-term relationships and addressing issues surrounding bisexual identity in its function for sexual and relationship satisfaction with couples.

Self-Focused Reasons for Having Sex: Associations Between Sexual Goals and Women's Pain and Sexual and Psychological Well-being for Couples Coping With Provoked Vestibulodynia

BackgroundFor couples coping with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), interpersonal sexual goals are associated with sexual and psychological functioning as well as women’s pain during intercourse, however, self-focused sexual goals (eg, having sex for personal pleasure, having sex to avoid feeling bad about oneself) have not been studied in this clinical population. AimThe purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-focused approach and avoidance sexual goals and women's pain during intercourse and sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms for both women and their partners. MethodsWomen diagnosed with PVD (N = 69) and their partners completed measures of self-focused sexual goals, sexual satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Women also reported on pain experienced during sexual intercourse. OutcomesOutcomes included the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and a Numerical Rating Scale of pain during sexual intercourse. ResultsWhen women reported higher self-focused approach sexual goals, they also reported lower pain intensity. Women's higher self-focused avoidance sexual goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms, whereas men's higher self-focused approach goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms. When controlling for frequency of sexual intercourse, there were no significant associations between women or partners' sexual goals and sexual satisfaction. Clinical ImplicationsWithin a clinical context where many interpersonal pressures for sex exist, interventions should target self-focused sexual goals alongside interpersonal sexual goals to improve pain and psychological adjustment. Strengths & LimitationsThis is the first study to examine self-focused sexual goals among women with PVD and their partners. This study is cross-sectional, and the direction of associations cannot be inferred. Couples were in mixed-sex relationships, and results may not generalize to same-sex couples. ConclusionFindings suggest that self-focused goals are relevant to the psychological adjustment of women with PVD and their male partners and for women's pain.Corsini-Munt S, Bergeron S, Rosen NO. Self-Focused Reasons for Having Sex: Associations Between Sexual Goals and Women's Pain and Sexual and Psychological Well-being for Couples Coping With Provoked Vestibulodynia. J Sex Med 2020;17:975–984.

A Structural Equation Model of Sexual Satisfaction and Relationship Functioning Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Assigned Female at Birth in Diverse Relationships.

While there is a sizeable literature on sexual satisfaction among male-female mixed-sex couples, research examining other types of relationships (e.g., same-sex) is limited. The current study aimed to broaden our understanding of sexual satisfaction across the diverse relationships of sexual and gender minority individuals assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB) and inform models of sexual satisfaction for this population. We examined: (1) differences in sexual satisfaction and characteristics of sexual activity (frequency of sex, frequency of orgasm, duration of sex) by relationship type (same-sex, mixed-sex, gender-diverse) among SGM-AFAB; (2) a model of sexual satisfaction and its correlates; and (3) differences in this model by relationship type. Results indicated cisgender women in relationships with cisgender women (same-sex) reported higher duration of sex, frequency of orgasm, and sexual satisfaction compared to cisgender women in relationships with cisgender men (mixed-sex). There were few differences in characteristics of sexual activity between SGM-AFAB in gender-diverse relationships (involving one or more gender minority partners) and those in same- or mixed-sex relationships. Results indicated similarities across relationship types in a model of sexual satisfaction and its correlates. For all relationship types, more frequent and longer duration of sexual activity predicted higher orgasm frequency, more frequent orgasm predicted higher sexual satisfaction, and higher sexual satisfaction predicted better relationship functioning. Only the association between orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction varied by relationship type. As one of the first studies examining sexual satisfaction among SGM-AFAB in mixed-sex and gender-diverse relationships, findings substantially further our understanding of sexual satisfaction in this population.

What would you know about it? Managing ingroup vs. outgroup perceived support of same-sex vs. mixed-sex romantic relationships

Social support for relationships is an important predictor of relationship well-being, duration, and mental and physical health. But does the source of the support matter? This article examines whether there is potential moderation by the ingroup versus outgroup status of the person offering the support. Specifically, in a sample of 407 individuals in mixed-sex versus same-sex relationships, we assessed how much social support individuals perceived for their relationship from members of their social network who were queer versus straight. Those in same-sex relationships had significantly more queer members within their social networks than those in mixed-sex relationships (38.6% vs. 8.1%). We found that although those in both types of relationships perceived more support for their relationships from ingroup network members, only those in mixed-sex relationships demonstrated a stronger association between ingroup (straight) support and relationship well-being. Those in same-sex relationships showed relatively weak associations between network members’ support for the relationship and their relationship well-being, regardless of source. Results are interpreted in light of the social identity perspective, and we also discuss the potential for attributional ambiguity and discounting of others’ opinions about their relationships within the context of same-sex relationships.

Partners Experience Consequences, Too: A Comparison of the Sexual, Relational, and Psychological Adjustment of Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Their Partners to Control Couples

IntroductionWomen diagnosed with female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) report lower health-related quality of life, more depressive symptoms, and lower sexual and relationship satisfaction compared with healthy control subjects. Despite the impact of FSIAD on women’s sexuality and the inherently interpersonal nature of the sexual problem, it remains unclear whether the partners of women with FSIAD also face negative consequences, as seen in other sexual dysfunctions. AimThe aim of this study was to compare the sexual, relational, and psychological functioning of partners of women with FSIAD (as well as the women themselves) to their control counterparts. We also compared women with their partners within the FSIAD and control groups. MethodsWoman diagnosed with FSIAD and their partners (n = 97) and control couples (n = 108) independently completed measures of sexual desire, sexual distress, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, relationship satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. Main Outcome MeasureMain outcomes included: Sexual Desire Inventory-2; Female Sexual Distress Scale; Female Sexual Functioning Index; International Index of Erectile Functioning (IIEF), Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale; Couple Satisfaction Index; Beck Depression Inventory-II; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Short Form. ResultsPartners of women with FSIAD reported lower sexual satisfaction, poorer sexual communication, and higher sexual distress compared with control partners. Male partners of women with FSIAD reported more difficulties with orgasmic and erectile functioning and lower overall satisfaction and intercourse satisfaction on the IIEF compared with control partners. Women with FSIAD reported lower sexual desire and satisfaction, and higher sexual distress and depressive and anxiety symptoms, in comparison to both control women and their own partners, and they reported poorer sexual communication compared with control women. Women with FSIAD also reported lower sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction, and greater pain during intercourse on the Female Sexual Function Index compared with control women. Clinical ImplicationsThe partners of women with FSIAD also experience negative consequences—primarily in the domain of sexuality. Partners should be included in treatment and future research. Strength & LimitationsThis is the first study, to our knowledge, to document consequences for partners of women with FSIAD in comparison to control subjects. This study is cross-sectional, and causation cannot be inferred. Most couples were in mixed-sex relationships and identified as straight and cis-gendered; results may not generalize. ConclusionFindings suggest that partners of women with FSIAD experience disruptions to many aspects of their sexual functioning, as well as lower overall sexual satisfaction and heightened sexual distress.Rosen NO, Dubé JP, Corsini-Munt S, et al. Partners Experience Consequences, Too: A Comparison of the Sexual, Relational, and Psychological Adjustment of Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Their Partners to Control Couples. J Sex Med 2019;16:83–95.

Women’s Sexual Initiation in Same- and Mixed-Sex Relationships: How Often and How?

Past research has demonstrated that women initiate sex less frequently than men in mixed-sex relationships, perhaps due to traditional sexual scripts that promote rigid gender roles in sexual interactions. However, there is no existing research on sexual initiation among women in same-sex relationships. This study investigated women’s frequency and proportion of sexual initiation behaviors within mixed-sex and same-sex relationships, as well as the strategies women commonly used for initiating sex. Data were collected through retrospective reports (N = 351; 242 women with male partners and 109 with female partners) and two-week daily diaries (N = 60; 29 women with male partners and 31 with female partners). Results indicated that, across relationship type, women reported fairly balanced sexual initiation with their partners, with women in same-sex relationships reporting higher rates of initiation than women in mixed-sex relationships based on retrospective reports but not based on daily diaries. Women in mixed-sex relationships reported using a higher proportion of direct initiation strategies than women in same-sex relationships in the retrospective portion but not the daily diary portion of the project. These results challenge a number of gender and sexuality-related stereotypes about women in general and women in same-sex relationships specifically.

Gender differences in romantic relationship memories: who remembers? Who cares?

ABSTRACTTwo studies were conducted to assess patterns of gender differences in memory for romantic relationship events. Results suggested that people believe that women have better memory for romantic relationship events than men, that better relationship memory predicts higher levels of relationship well-being, and that the association between relationship memory and relationship well-being is somewhat stronger for women than for men. Women did tend to have somewhat better relationship memory than men, as assessed via subjective reports from both partners in mixed-sex relationships, and via the number of details partners provided when asked to recall a specific relationship event (i.e., their first date). Consistent with the lay theories, both own and partner’s better relationship memory predicted higher levels of relationship well-being; however, the association between better relationship memory and higher levels of relationship well-being was equally strong for both genders. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Same-Sex and Mixed-Sex Couples in the Netherlands: The Association Between Life Satisfaction and Relationship Dynamics

Using a national sample of Dutch (N = 5,854) individuals in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships we explored the associations between relationship dynamics, both positive (partner support) and negative (conflict), and life satisfaction. We found that individuals in same-sex relationships reported lower life satisfaction compared with their peers in mixed-sex relationships but there were no differences in the amount of partner support or level of relationship conflict. Across all couples, greater partner support and lower relationship conflict was associated with greater individual life satisfaction. Interestingly, for individuals in mixed-sex relationships, low level of conflict was associated with greater life satisfaction, whereas the association was not as pronounced for individuals in same-sex relationships. In sum, the impact of some relationship factors (such as conflict) on individual life satisfaction may vary in different ways across couple type.

Not All Orgasms Were Created Equal: Differences in Frequency and Satisfaction of Orgasm Experiences by Sexual Activity in Same-Sex Versus Mixed-Sex Relationships

Which sexual activities result in the most frequent and most satisfying orgasms for men and women in same- and mixed-sex relationships? The current study utilized a convenience sample of 806 participants who completed an online survey concerning the types of sexual activities through which they experience orgasms. Participants indicated how frequently they reached orgasm, how satisfied they were from orgasms resulting from 14 sexual activities, and whether they desired a frequency change for each sexual activity. We present the overall levels of satisfaction, frequency, and desired frequency change for the whole sample and also compare responses across four groups of participants: men and women in same-sex relationships and men and women in mixed-sex relationships. While all participants reported engaging in a wide variety of activities that either could, or often did, lead to the experience of orgasm, there were differences in the levels of satisfaction derived from different types of orgasms for different types of participants, who also engaged in such activities with varying degrees of frequency. We discuss group differences within the context of sexual scripts for same- and mixed-sex couples and question the potential explanations for gender differences in the ability to experience orgasm during partnered sexual activity.

Family matters, but sometimes chosen family matters more: Perceived social network influence in the dating decisions of same- and mixed-sex couples

Although social support for relationships is a commonly studied topic, the literature is divided upon whether social support from parents versus friends plays a more important role in predicting relational and health outcomes. Using a sample (N=698) of heterosexual and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) participants, the current study examined differences in past experiences of relationship disapproval from friends and family, as well as self-reported levels of importance assigned to various sources of social approval for relationships. In addition, participants read hypothetical scenarios in which they were told that their parents, heterosexual friends or LGBTQ friends disapproved of their current dating partner and suggested that they end the relationship. Participants responded by indicating whether or not they would end the hypothetical relationship based on the disapproval. Results indicate that individuals in same-sex relationships often perceive less social support for their relationships from parents than friends, that they place more value on relationship approval from friends, or chosen family, and that they are less likely to end a relationship based on parental disapproval, compared to those in mixed-sex relationships. A ‘currency’ model of parental disapproval for relationships is introduced, whereby parents are seen to have a finite amount of ‘relationship disapproval currency’ available to spend on an adult child's relationships. Inaccurately disapproving of their children's relationships is shown to reduce the likelihood of children considering their parents' opinions, while accurately disapproving of relationships significantly increases the likelihood of their adult children considering their opinions in the future.

Friendships worth fighting for: bonds between women and men karate practitioners as sites for deconstructing gender inequality

Sport is argued to be one of the few remaining domains for constructing masculine identity and reproducing ideas of men’s (hierarchical) distinction from women. As a shared emotional (yet ‘masculine’) experience, sport lays the grounds for building close, intimate, friendships which, in men’s single-sex sport, are suggested to be underpinned by sharing sexist ideology. This paper argues that sex-integrated karate practice not only challenges the expectations/interpretations of women’s bodies, but can also situate women and men within mutually respectful, cherished relationships which diverge from conventional sexualized and unequal ways of ‘doing gender’ in mixed-sex relationships.