Need For Intimacy Research Articles

Detaching the Actor’s Face: Control and Usage of the Face as an Image-object

This article explores the extent to which the actor’s face has impacted society to the point that it is no longer a personal possession and that its usage and context are difficult to control. I bring together perspectives from visual studies and celebrity studies to address the issues of face borrowing and identification. I examine the engagement of the general public with the actor’s face in an attempt to create the basis for a critical analysis. I propose viewing the actor’s face as an image-object, detached from the physical body and able to travel without the actual presence of the actor. Three defining stages are identified in social behaviour that are a direct result of capturing the face in a photograph: detaching, owning and wearing the face. The need for intimacy and identification that governs the relationship between audiences and celebrities has an effect on the handling of images of actors. Furthermore, this article investigates the concurrence of technological advancements that allow individuals to use actors’ faces for shaping their own identities and highlights the danger that actors are facing as the rise of artificial intelligence can render them as replicable digital assets.

Sexual Violence Victimization and Substance Use among Individuals Identifying on the Asexual Spectrum: Differences between Asexuality, Graysexuality, and Demisexuality

ABSTRACT Despite the growing visibility of the asexual community across the globe, little is known about how individuals on the asexual spectrum navigate their (a)sexual experiences. Asexual individuals may be highly vulnerable to sexual violence victimization due to prejudice against their lack of sexual attraction. Perpetrators may seek to pressure asexual individuals into sexual activities by invalidating their asexuality or manipulating their need for emotional intimacy. Such non-consensual sexual acts or behaviors may have a profound impact on asexual individuals. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexual violence victimization and its relationship with substance use among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The data for this study were derived from a global sample of 8,752 individuals on the asexual spectrum from the Ace Community Survey. The results indicated that 67.4% of the participants had experienced at least one form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime. Experiences of sexual violence were related to more frequent engagement in substance use over the past year. Additionally, the results showed that compared with asexual individuals, graysexual and demisexual individuals were more likely to experience sexual violence, which was linked to substance use. Given the widespread prevalence and detrimental effects of sexual violence victimization, it is important to integrate asexual perspectives into prevention and intervention efforts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about affirmative consent and boundaries. The study also offers significant implications for trauma-informed care, public education, and social policies that address the unique needs and experiences of this population.

(103) Predictors of Sexual Arousal in Women: A Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract Introduction Low sexual desire and lack of arousal are highly prevalent sexual problems in women. Despite high prevalence, sexual arousal difficulties have not been a priority focus of assessment and treatment of women at midlife. Relationship satisfaction and importance of sex are key to healthy sexual function at midlife. Psychosocial variables, including relationship satisfaction, communication with one’s partner, and importance of sex are associated with overall sexual satisfaction. Rosemary Basson’s intimacy-based model of female sexual response incorporates the need for intimacy and emotional satisfaction and acknowledges the impact of sexual arousal on responsive sexual desire and physical satisfaction. Better understanding of the impacts of emotional satisfaction in female sexual response and function is needed to direct improvements in assessment and treatment of sexual problems in midlife women. Objective To explore the associations of emotional satisfaction, sexual desire, importance of sex and ability to climax with frequency of arousal during sexual activity in menopausal women. Methods A secondary data analysis of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), USA, 2006-2008 (Visit 10) dataset was completed utilizing multiple linear regression to assess variables associated with frequency of sexual arousal in menopausal women. A total of 2,245 women between the ages of 51-63 years were included. The mean age was 56 years. Results Multiple linear regression results demonstrated that 19% of the variability in frequency of arousal in our study population was explained by emotional satisfaction (F (1,1163) = 271.039, p<.001). Further analyses revealed that 56% of the variability in frequency of arousal was explained by emotional satisfaction, sexual desire, importance of sex, and ability to climax (F (6,1014) = 215.461, p<.001). Conclusions Interventions designed to enhance emotional satisfaction with a partner may positively impact female sexual arousal. Emotional satisfaction with a partner is strongly associated with frequency of sexual arousal in menopausal women. Additionally, sexual desire, importance of sex and ability to climax are also strongly associated with frequency of sexual arousal. These findings are clinically relevant and reinforce the need for biopsychosocial assessment of sexuality and sexual function, as well as thorough assessment of dyadic and interpersonal factors. Further research is needed to better understand the impacts and interplay of psychosocial variables on female sexual response and function. Disclosure No.

Strategies to meet marital intimacy needs in women infected with coronavirus 2019: A framework qualitative content analysis research.

Separating women with the coronavirus 2019 from family can affect marital life. Considering psychological vulnerability of women for anxiety and depression disorders, these women may experience more stress due to the loss of work at this time or special reproductive health conditions such as pregnancy, having a baby, or other medical conditions. Considering a limited number of qualitative studies on the need for marital intimacy, this study was conducted to meet marital intimacy needs in women with coronavirus 2019. Framework qualitative content analysis was conducted through participation of 13 key informants (sex therapist, couple therapist, psychologist, and midwifery counselor) and 18 infected women from Yazd, Iran in July 2020 who were selected purposefully and interviewed through the semi-structured in-depth interviews. 3 main categories were: 1) mutual resilience (subcategories: 1. coping strategies; 2. value of marital life; 3. compassionate conflict resolving). 2) skillful relationship (subcategories: 1. assertiveness in sexual expression; 2. self-efficacy in the distance physical connectivity). 3) synergy (subcategories: 1. reframing spirituality closeness; 2. empowering aesthetic creativity; 3. management of family function, and 4. prioritizing). Findings revealed sex and couple therapists, health providers, and policymakers should emphasize on using new forms of digital communication in these couples. Teaching skills that increase partners' creativity and empathy, enable women to fulfill their mental, sexual and reproductive health needs, and lead to more partners responsibility and loyalty, and maintenance of family function. In times of crisis, counseling should be considered in women treatment programs and care guidelines.

Female sexual functioning during pregnancy.

Sexuality is a fundamental, biological function of every human body, regardless of age, gender or race. However, the need for intimacy, closeness and sexual activity changes over time; it is influenced by the age, experience, physical and health condition. Sex is also one of the most important domains of the quality of life (QoL). However, this topic is still uneasy and rarely discussed, even though female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem, which affects 20% to 50% of women. Moreover, women experience processes that do not affect men, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. In this review we focused on pregnancy, since sexual life of pregnant women alters during pregnancy due to the physiological, anatomical and hormonal changes in her body. Nonetheless, woman can keep having sex during a physiological pregnancy, but this issue is rarely addressed by physicians-gynecologists. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript was to discuss female sexuality during pregnancy.

Head Over Heels - Romantic Relationship Ensuing Conflict among Peer Interactions of Dycian Freshmen Class

It is the very nature of human individuals to feel love and be loved, the need for intimacy and romantic love from their fellow and love from their friends. From there, people slowly learned and grew as individuals. Hence, all people yearn to be held by someone, to have a partner with whom they may spend the rest of their lives. The objective of this study is to explore and understand the conflicts that may ensue in entering romantic relationships towards their peer interactions. Anchored in this study are Duck’s Model of Relationship Breakdown, Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship, and the Social Penetration Theory. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: 1. What are the perspectives of the informants about: A. romantic relationship, B. friendship. 2. What are the conflicts that may arise in entering a romantic relationship to their peer relationship? 3. What are the remedies to the conflicts that may ensue while engaging in a romantic relationship in regards to their peer interaction? Semi-structured interviews and non-probability sampling were used in the study, which was qualitative phenomenological research. Significant statements were chosen from the verbatim transcripts of the interviews. Then, in order to identify the emerging themes, these were divided into theme clusters. The following themes emerged from the interviews: Matter of Choice, Inevitable Connection, Conventional Stressors, and Relationship Key Factors. The researchers’ findings were as follows: 1. A. Romantic relationship can be seen as a choice to make, B. Friendship is built through inescapable connections made from the very start; 2. Conflicts arising are the common stressors in a relationship; and 3. There are key factors to mitigate these ensuing conflicts as entering romantic relationships impacts peer interactions.

“Sacred and Beautiful”: The Lived Experience of Slovak Women who had a Planned Homebirth

Abstract While many Western countries do legally permit homebirths under certain conditions, in the Slovak Republic they exist in a legal vacuum – they are neither permitted nor prohibited. In the present study, we aimed to explore how Slovak women who deliberately delivered at home perceive the reason for this decision and the subsequent homebirth itself. We interviewed eight women aged 21 to 36 and analysed the transcripts using the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. The analysis revealed four major themes – (1) the sacredness of childbirth, (2) the aspiration to be the director of your childbirth, (3) homebirth as an expression of the need for intimacy, and (4) the struggle with one’s social circle. Childbirth is seen as an ultimate act of nature defined by its beauty and purity, but these qualities are tainted by biomedical approach of healthcare providers. The results of this study suggest that women’s needs of autonomy, relatedness, and inclusion are not properly met by Slovak health care and obstetrics. Stricter adherence to the principle of informed consent during hospital births, and legalisation and regulation of homebirths could reduce medical risks during childbirth and improve women’s mental well-being during and after a pivotal moment in their life.

Dawn or Dusk? Will Virtual Tourism Begin to Boom? An Integrated Model of AIDA, TAM, and UTAUT

Although virtual tourism has recently been introduced in numerous areas, it is still regarded as a gimmick because whether this currently rising demand will last longer than a year remains unknown. Regarding virtual tourism’s main pillar—technology—and potential weakness—difficulty developing an intimate experience—the current study incorporates key elements of the technology acceptance model (TAM), the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model (UTAUT) and the attention, interest, desire, and action model (AIDA), to create a novel model focused on the need for intimacy. In addition to offering a theoretical foundation for future academics addressing a similar situation, the findings in this research have managerial implications, as the study recommends measures for reviving the tourism industry’s boom. These findings can therefore foster both the tourist industry and local governments; they highlight the necessity for local governments to use modern technologies to dispense tourism resources rationally.

The fight against loneliness in old age: A summary of articles and studies – An integrative national plan

A statement that is often repeated in discussions, lectures, and theories about aging, is that “the number-one enemy of old age is loneliness”. Ari Sullivan, for example, stated that “the driving force of loneliness is that it is worse than anxiety,” and defined loneliness as “a very unpleasant experience that fails to meet the need for human intimacy”

The Magic of WDEP in Reality Therapy

Abstract. Background: Reality therapy’s WDEP helps people to become aware of their wants and to engage in directing, evaluating, and planning to recognize the challenges and find solutions to them. This study examined the effect of reality therapy intervention on marital intimacy needs and communication patterns in married men. Methods: We conducted this quasiexperimental study using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The participants were 30 men selected using simple random sampling who were placed into two intervention and control groups, each of 15 persons. The data were collected using the Communication Patterns Questionnaire ( Christensen & Sullaway, 1984 ) and the Marital Intimacy Needs Questionnaire (MINQ; Bagarozzi, 1997 ). We performed the reality therapy intervention for the members of the intervention groups in 8 sessions of 90 minutes. We then analyzed the collected data using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with SPSS software (version 26). Analysis: The implementation of the reality therapy intervention increased the couples’ scores of intimacy needs and all its subscales ( p < .05). Further, there was an increase in constructive relationships with the spouse in the intervention group ( p < .01). However, these changes were not observed in the participants in the control group. Conclusion: Since the reality therapy intervention focuses on accepting responsibility, valuing thinking, and acting in life instead of making excuses, it can help married men to identify their intimacy needs and establish more effective communication with their wives.

Psycho-Social Factors Associated with Intimacy Needs in Divorced and Widowed Older Chinese Women.

The rapidly ageing population, the growing rate of divorce, and the longer life expectancy of women compared with men have resulted in a large proportion of older Chinese women being alone. The sexual health and intimacy needs of this group of women are ignored due to traditional Chinese cultural values that undermine older adults’ needs for sex and intimacy, and the subordinate position of women in society. The present study used a quantitative survey method to investigate bio-psycho-social factors associated with divorced and widowed older Chinese women’s sexual health and intimacy needs in two cities in Shanghai and Wuhan. The conceptual framework of this study was guided by cognitive stress theory, attachment theory, gender theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, objectification theory, and activity theory. We adopted a model involving demographic, biological, psychological, and social factors to unearth the mechanism influencing divorced and widowed older Chinese women’s sexual health and intimacy needs. Data were collected between October 2020 and March 2021 via face-to-face surveys. A convenience sample of 278 (N = 278) divorced and widowed older Chinese women was recruited (166 in Shanghai and 112 in Wuhan). Sexual health and intimacy needs were associated with current relationship status, financial status, physical health, attachment style, neuroticism, mental health, social support, prior marital conflict, and gender norm attitude. Sexual behaviour was associated with age, number of children, financial status, physical health, attachment style, neuroticism, prior marital conflict, gender norm attitude, sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, and intimacy attitude as predictors. Most participants in this study seemed to have found new intimate partners with whom to continue participating in sexual activities after their divorce or widowhood. The present study is one of the first examples of empirical research to examine the sexual health and intimacy needs of older Chinese women who are divorced or widowed. The findings generated by this study will inform the design and implementation of appropriate social programs for this demographic, and provide invaluable insight for social workers, educators, sex therapists, healthcare professionals, community workers, and policymakers working with this population.

Maternity Healthscapes: Conceptualization and Index Development.

This article provides a conceptualization and an index of the multidimensional concept of maternity healthscapes (MHS). Healthscape has emerged as a potential key aspect to improve patient experience. Surprisingly, there has been little effort to delineate the concept of MHS from a design perspective, while maternity wards have unique characteristics and particular challenges. Indeed, patients in maternity wards are usually not acutely ill but can feel highly vulnerable due to the pain, stress, and the many uncertainties surrounding labor and delivery-which can heighten patients' need for intimacy, supporter comfort, and additional supporting services. Thus, healthscapes need to be designed to account for the specificities of childbearing and needs of those patients and their family. A multidisciplinary literature review and 39 in-depth interviews were conducted with various stakeholders-mothers, midwives, heads of midwives, and chief executives. The authors develop a conceptualization to establish a comprehensive understanding of the dimensionality of MHSs. Based on that comprehensive conceptualization, the authors develop an index providing a census of the aspects in the MHS that various stakeholders-such as healthcare providers, designers, and architects-should take into account when conceiving MHS. Healthcare providers, designers, and architects can use this conceptualization and index to closely monitor and measure for evaluations and further improvements of the MHS, thereby enhancing patient experience in maternity wards.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Integrative Couple Therapy and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy on Increasing Emotional and Sexual Intimacy of Couples Traumatized by Infidelity

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on increasing the emotional and sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity in Shahriar (Andishe city in Iran).
 Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included couples whose male partner had cheated, and were referred to counseling centers of Andishe city in 2018. Twenty four couples were selected through convenient sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group (8 couples in each group). The subjects in the two experimental groups attended 10 couple therapy sessions, whereas no intervention was carried out for the control group. The subjects responed to the Marital Intimacy Needs Questionnaire (Bagarozzi, 2001).
 Results: The results of analysis of covariance and block analysis of variance showed that integrative behavioral couple therapy and integrative couple therapy had a significant effect on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in the dimension of sexual intimacy )p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two approaches. Integrative behavioral couple therapy was also effective in increasing emotional intimacy in all components, but this effectiveness was not achieved in integrative couple therapy.
 Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in sexual intimacy, the use of these approaches in promoting sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity may be effective. Also, considering the effectiveness of integrative behavioral couple therapy in increasing emotional and sexual intimacy, this approach can be used by couple therapists.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Integrative Couple Therapy and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy on Increasing Emotional and Sexual Intimacy of Couples Traumatized by Infidelity

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on increasing the emotional and sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity in Shahriar (Andishe city in Iran).
 Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included couples whose male partner had cheated, and were referred to counseling centers of Andishe city in 2018. Twenty four couples were selected through convenient sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group (8 couples in each group). The subjects in the two experimental groups attended 10 couple therapy sessions, whereas no intervention was carried out for the control group. The subjects responed to the Marital Intimacy Needs Questionnaire (Bagarozzi, 2001).
 Results: The results of analysis of covariance and block analysis of variance showed that integrative behavioral couple therapy and integrative couple therapy had a significant effect on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in the dimension of sexual intimacy )p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two approaches. Integrative behavioral couple therapy was also effective in increasing emotional intimacy in all components, but this effectiveness was not achieved in integrative couple therapy.
 Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in sexual intimacy, the use of these approaches in promoting sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity may be effective. Also, considering the effectiveness of integrative behavioral couple therapy in increasing emotional and sexual intimacy, this approach can be used by couple therapists.

Exploring Sexual Life Experiences and Perceptions of Women with Diabetes: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Sexual life can be affected through different aspects of living with diabetes. This study aimed to explore the perception and experiences of Iranian women with diabetes at reproductive age regarding the impact of diabetes on their sexual life.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from August 2018 to February 2019 in five diabetes centers in Tehran. Purposeful sampling method was used to select the participants, and data were collected by in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed manually using the conventional content analysis method. Data saturation occurred after interviewing 24 women with diabetes.Results: Three themes were identified. The first theme was “diabetes-related threatened sexual life” with three categories: change in sexual functioning, negative sexual self-evaluation, and concern in sexual relationships. The second theme was “diabetes treatment challenges in sexual life,” which included two categories: adverse effects of diabetes treatment in sexual life and the psychosocial distress related to diabetes treatment. “Couples’ relationship adjustment to diabetes,” was identified as the third theme, including four categories: the need for spouse’s understanding of living with diabetes problems, perceived need for spouse’s support, perceived need for intimacy, and the need to cope with diabetes-related childbearing challenges.Conclusion: According to the participants’ perception and experiences, in addition to sexual problems, diabetes had affected their sexual life through diabetes treatment challenges in sexual life and the way the couples’ relationships adjust to diabetes. Therefore, sexual problems screening and providing counseling services in community-based diabetes care planning are recommended.

A Qualitative Study on Sexuality and Sexual Experiences in Community Forensic Mental Health Patients in Queensland, Australia.

This qualitative study reports on the sexuality and sexual experiences of community-based forensic mental health participants. The findings indicate that these participants feel the need for intimacy and want to engage in sexual activity more often than their neurotypical Australian peers. Participants identified their mental health and the side effects of compliance with prescribed psychotropic medications were barriers to achieving their desired level of sexual activity. Participants supported the notion that mental health teams were positioned to assist patients navigate the psychological, cultural, education and physical barriers to achieving sexual health and wellbeing. We propose several interventions to support these participants and other community forensic mental health patients in attaining healthy relationships, understanding their sexual health, and gaining more fulfilling sexual experiences. These interventions, which include sex education, upskilling in socialization and communication, and regular medication reviews, could be delivered as part of the holistic care provided by mental health teams. Mental health clinicians should be offered appropriate training to assess patients and have discussions related to sexuality, sexual experiences and sexual health needs.

The Capacity to be an Expert: Considerations of decision-making assessment for geriatric psychiatrists

Obtaining valid consent for treatment is predicated on a patient's ability to make an informed decision, and capacity decisions involve a balance between respecting patients’ autonomy with protecting those with cognitive (and other) impairments. Given the importance of informed consent and the low rates with which clinical teams identify incapacity, it is critically important for geriatric mental health providers to competently identify and evaluate patients with capacity concerns. This need is particularly acute for complex cases, where the presence of medical and cognitive comorbidities can make capacity determination challenging.Furthermore, while statutes often provide physicians with a legal means for civil commitment of patients lacking decisionmaking capacity, these mechanisms typically mandate the presence of a contributory mental illness. However not all conditions which affect medical decision-making capacity are psychiatric. Hospitalized medically ill patients frequently request discharge prior to being medically appropriate to do so, placing themselves at risk. To proceed with discharge respects a patient's right to autonomy at the expense of patient safety and provider liability. To detain the patient against their wishes may be medically justifiable, but can be detrimental. State statutes provide little guidance about how to proceed in this situation, and geriatric providers should be aware of the pertinent legal and practical considerations for clinicians facing this arduous decision.An additional challenge to geriatric mental health involves sexual decision-making and questions of incapacity. Supporting the need for intimacy remains a vital element of long-term care, and great responsibility rests upon the care team to ensure that autonomy, the right to sexual expression, and freedom of intimacy are allowed. However while these principles must be respected, they may present unique challenges in settings where one or more of the participants are diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder and in long-term care settings. In these instances the traditional elements of informed consent required to demonstrate decision-making capacity must be expanded and adapted.

The Queerness of Touch: Mutual Recognition and Deep Intimacy in Moonlight

The Queerness of Touch: Mutual Recognition and Deep Intimacy in <i>Moonlight</i>

KaMin to acquire BASF[StQuote]s kaolin minerals business

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood into adulthood, characterized by heightened emotional reactivity and sensitivity to peer evaluation and acceptance. This article makes a case for integrating social and emotional learning (SEL), mindful and compassion training with systems thinking to create a learning experience that is meaningful for adolescents and connects their psychosocial need for identity, autonomy, and intimacy with a broader purpose to help them become responsible global citizens committed to the well-being of self and others.

Особенности эмоциональных состояний взрослых в ситуации длительного отсутствия романтических отношений

The article presents the results of a study devoted to qualitative and quantitative study of emotional States of men and women at the stage of early adulthood in the situation of long-term absence of romantic relationships. The connections of alarming, subdepressive states, experiences of loneliness of such subjects with their personal characteristics, meanings of creation of romantic relations in the long term are described. The specificity of the image of future romantic relationships and the image of a romantic partner is considered as a factor determining the subject's own activity in creating romantic relationships. Characterological features of the subjects most strongly experiencing depression, rejection, loneliness are described. On the basis of qualitative research (interview) the meanings of romantic relationships between adult men and women with different characterological characteristics, with different subjective perception of the long absence of romantic relationships in the dichotomy “loneliness / freedom”, with different degrees of need for intimacy are analyzed.