Psychosexual Development Research Articles

An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.

The present study was designed to examine autistic and non-autistic young adults' lived experience in psychosexual development and sex education and to solicit recommendations on how to improve sex education programs. Participants included 10 autistic young adults and 10 non-autistic young adults aged 18 to 24 years. The two groups were matched for sex and education level. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants' responses were analyzed using comparative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) "Who am I as a sexual being"; (2) Making sense of psychosexual development; (3) Sources of information; and (4) "Dear developers of sex education programs". Most autistic participants shared feelings of intense anxiety about romantic and sexual relationships, in part due to anticipated difficulties in social communication. Interestingly, although interview questions mostly focused on sex and adolescence, issues surrounding romantic relationships and their links to current self-concept were prominent themes in many autistic participants' responses, suggesting that autism-friendly sex education programs need to address issues related to romance and should target not only adolescents but also young adults. Also, autistic participants learned from peer interactions within the autistic community, highlighting the importance of facilitating peer exchanges and continuous learning beyond completing a program. Regarding delivery format, autistic participants valued concreteness and a mixed-sex small-group setting, and recommended using visual cues, real life examples, and role play. Autistic individuals have unmet psychosexual educational needs. Further research may consider their needs, lived experience, and recommendations when developing new autism-friendly sex education programs.

Blurring the lines: the vague boundary between mainstream and deviant internet pornography tags for at-risk viewers

ABSTRACT Illegal material is increasingly appearing on popular mainstream websites. Many commentators worry about the impact of such material on adolescents' psycho-sexual development and the potential for some legal pornography to act as a gateway to child sexual exploitation material for users of any age. In this study, we collected publicly available data from a popular legal pornography website to assess the risk of adolescent exposure to content that may hinder healthy psycho-sexual development. We analysed over 27 million customer searches involving 149 video tags from this site. Five international experts on the effects of pornography rated the tags, categorising them into five overlapping genres: mainstream, incestuous, underage, aggressive and non-consensual. They also assessed the potential risk each genre posed. Our analysis found a significant positive correlation between the harm ratings and the frequency of tags used as search terms. Additionally, eleven of the twelve tags with the highest mean risk scores involved potential underage and/or incestuous content. This study highlights a concerning relationship between the harm ratings of various pornographic genres and their popularity as search terms. While exploratory, these results emphasise the need for regulatory measures to address the presence of harmful material on mainstream websites. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT The study has practical implications for the regulation of potentially harmful pornography by legal pornography sites. The sites should (a) control the use of tags and how new tags are developed in order to prevent content creators from advertising potentially illegal material, (b) vet all content before it is uploaded for public consumption, and (c) implement screening systems to retrospectively find and eradicate all illegal or harmful content already in their collection.

Social cognition, psychosocial development and well-being in galactosemia

BackgroundClassic galactosemia is a rare inherited metabolic disease with long-term complications, particularly in the psychosocial domain. Patients report a lower quality of social life, difficulties in interactions and social relationships, and a lower mental health. We hypothesised that social cognition deficits could partially explain this psychological symptomatology. Eleven adults with galactosemia and 31 control adults participated in the study. We measured social cognition skills in cognitive and affective theory of Mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. We explored psychosocial development and mental well-being.ResultsWe found significant deficits on all 4 social cognition measures. Compared to controls, participants with galactosemia were impaired in the 2nd-order cognitive theory of mind, in affective theory of mind, and in basic and complex emotion recognition. Participants with galactosemia had a significant delay in their psychosexual development, but we found no delay in social development and no significant decrease in mental health.ConclusionSocial cognition processes seem impaired among our participants with galactosemia. We discuss the future path research may follow. More research is needed to replicate and strengthen these results and establish the links between psychosocial complications and deficits in social cognition.

Foundation phase male teachers’ reflections in teaching of comprehensive sexuality education in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Children in their childhood and teenage years can acquire either healthy or unhealthy lifestyles. Without proper guidance, unhealthy lifestyles (e.g. risk-taking, substance abuse, poor family planning) may negatively affect their psychosexual development (i.e. ability to make healthier sexual choices). Male and female teachers can be role models for learners to acquire healthy sexual lifestyles. Historically, the Foundation Phase (FP) has been a highly feminine teaching space. Lately, however, the space has seen an increasing presence and participation of FP male teachers. This paper shares FP male teachers’ reflections in teaching comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) content within the Life Skills curriculum in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Five FP male teachers were engaged in a focus group conversation; data were thematically analysed, underpinned by a feminist post-structural lens. Although the teachers reported a restriction of FP male teachers in teaching CSE-related content, they also indicated that learners showed increased self-exposure to CSE-related content. To counter the censorship of FP male teachers in teaching CSE-related content, the study recommends explicit incorporation of feminist pedagogies to enable FP male teachers to be part of the delivery of SE content as equal stakeholders.

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the psychosexual identity development in adolescent and young adult survivors of testicular cancer.

Qualitative research has explored how some testicular cancer survivors (TCS) experience the psychological impacts of diagnosis and treatment. More research into the impacts of testicular cancer (TC) on adolescent and young adults (AYA) is needed due to the critical period of identity development. The present study aimed to explore how AYA with TC appraise and make sense of their experience and to develop a greater understanding of psychosexual identity development in AYA TCS. Eight AYA TCS were interviewed. The results were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The questions explored the experiences relating to diagnosis and treatment, how it affected their psychosexual identity development (e.g., sexual relationships and self-image) and the meanings attached to the experiences. Four Group Experiential Themes were developed from the data; 'Dealing with the shock', 'Fear and weight of responsibility', 'those closest to me' and 'sense of change'. The AYA TCS experiences may result in adoption of traditional masculine traits (e.g., stoicism) or abandonment of traditionally masculine traits (E.g. violence and aggression). AYA TCS also described feelings of insecurity when compared to other men. Psychology input could help manage stoicism and feelings of inferiority when compared to men with two testicles.

The hidden nature of sibling sexual abuse: when sexually harmful behaviour masquerades as consensual sexual experimentation

Whilst the majority of sibling relationships are generally benign in providing an additional secure attachment figure and source of comfort in which they can grow and flour- ish, some are highly competitive, full of envy, rivalry, and resentment, which can lead to physical and sexual violence. It is estimated that sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is three to four times more common than adult to child sexual abuse (CSA) in the family. Lack of knowl- edge, research, and discourse on psychosexual development in children and the nature of SSA has led both parents, child protection professionals, and clinicians to normalise sexual interactions between siblings, and to minimise these as less harmful than generational CSA. To ensure that sibling sexual interactions, their impact, and long-term effects are fully understood, it is essential that parents and practitioners understand what constitutes harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) between siblings and be able to distinguish between developmentally typical sexual behaviour and developmentally atypical sexual behaviour in children. In recognising the nature, concomitant risk factors, impact, and long-term effects of SSA, parents and professionals will be more able to bear witness to the lived experience of SSA and facilitate the healing process.

Teori Psikodinamika : Perspektif Multikultural Dalam Trend Pendekatan Psikodinamika

The psychodynamic approach includes a deep understanding of the complex interactions between culture and individual psychological aspects. This approach combines elements of psychodynamics, such as unconscious conflict and psychosexual development, with sensitivity to the role of culture in shaping a person's identity and thought patterns. The aim of this research is to understand in depth the multicultural view in the psychodynamic approach. By using literature study research methods which involve collecting, reviewing, and synthesizing information from relevant text sources to answer research questions or develop arguments. This study supports the aspect of cultural integration in psychodynamic practice to understand mental dynamics in a multicultural context. Psychodynamics in multiculturalism tends to emphasize the importance of understanding the complexity of individuals by considering their cultural background. These conclusions indicate the need to integrate multicultural aspects in psychodynamic practice to understand and respond to the diversity of human experience more holistically

Long-term psychosexual adjustment of adults born with classic bladder exstrophy

In literature studies exploring long-term psychosexual development and intimacy of adults living with the complex genitourinary conditions associated with classic bladder exstrophy (BE) are scarce, with small sample sizes and lacking in methodology. This study aims to examine areas of potential psychosexual distress in adults born with classic BE to develop targeted clinical interventions. The validated Sexrelation Evaluation Schedule Assessment Monitoring (SESAMO) questionnaire was administered to all BE patients aged ≥18 years operated on in our tertiary referral center during infancy. Z-scores were calculated for each area of interest, considering i) gender (female vs male); ii) committed partnership status (singles vs couples); iii) the voiding technique adopted to empty the bladder. A total of 33 (F:M 12:21; singles: couples 11:22) adults with BE were enrolled in the study at a median age of 39 (32-47) years. Overall, BE adults performed the worst regarding psychosexual identity (z-score:-1.282), pleasure (z-score:-0.915) and desire (z-score:-0.583); singles regarding relational attitude (z-score:-1.751) and imaginative eroticism (z-score:-0.806); couples regarding extramarital sexuality (z-score:-1.175) and sexual communication (z-score:-0.255). When it came to gender, females significantly performed worse than males regarding psychosexual identity (-1.645 vs -1.282; p-value:<0.0001) and areas of pleasure (-1.126 vs -0.359; p-value:<0.001). Single females performed worse than males regarding actual masturbation (-0.763 vs 0.583; p-value:<0.05) and better regarding relational attitude (-1.226 vs -1.751; p-value:<0.05). Females in stable relationships performed worse than males regarding actual masturbation (-1.645 vs 0.306; p-value:<0.05) and better regarding sexual intercourse (1.866 vs -0.565; p-value:<0.01). The voiding techniques used to empty the bladder did not show any influence on these results. Adults with BE have a greater likelihood of experiencing a wide range of psychosexual difficulties. Identifying the specific areas of psychological distress can help them cope with their medical experience and actual clinical condition and clinicians plan adequate psychological interventions.

Sex upbringing and sexual education in Ukraine: to study the non-existent for creating the real

The article raises the problem of sex upbringing and sexual education in Ukraine. The current state of the implementation of sex education is considered: the absence of a specialized course, the mosaic inclusion of certain (not all) issues in the content of compulsory subjects of school education. The meaningful content of domestic training programs was studied, and a conclusion was drawn about their complete inconsistency with the modern requirements of social trends for the formation of safe and responsible sexual behavior in young people. The successful experience of the development and implementation of sex upbringing and sexual education in the countries of the European Union and the USA is analyzed, and the normative documents of the European Union that regulate this issue and which can become prototypes for the creation of a domestic system of sex education and sex education in Ukraine are given. The role of parents is emphasized; a conclusion about the need for cooperation of state institutions in the aspect of political will regarding the creation and implementation of the system of sex education and sexual education of youth in Ukraine, and the family and upbringing and educational institutions — as the main institutions that have a direct influence on all aspects of psychosexual development and socialization of the child was made. A general conclusion about the need to create and implement sex upbringing and sexual education into the school curriculum as one of the important steps towards a full-fledged European future of Ukraine was made. Key words: sex upbringing, sexual education, young people, safe responsible sexual behavior, sexuality

The (m)other-daughter relationship in McCurdy’s I’m glad my mom died: codependency, anorexia nervosa, and self dis(re)covery

ABSTRACT Drawing on clinical psychology, psychosexual development and gender studies, this article examines the mother-daughter dysfunctional co-dependent dyad and eating disorders in McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, a memoir that McCurdy published 10 years after the death of her mother. With a focus on Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, this article scrutinizes the control-based mother-daughter relationship between Jennette and her mother Debra. This paper closely studies the internalized overbearing (m)other figure in McCurdy’s memoir in relation to McCurdy’s internalized anorexic voice in light of the dysfunctional co-dependent mother-daughter relationship. This ambivalent mother-daughter relationship is illuminated through inappropriate caretaking, manipulation, parentification, projection and intrusiveness, which are effects of co-dependency. Laced with shame and economic guilt, this enmeshed mother-daughter relationship shapes McCurdy’s memoir-pathography. Paradoxically, we contend that the loss of this ambivalent mother-daughter relationship is what triggers McCurdy to start her journey of self dis(re)covery through the writing of her memoir, thus reclaiming her subjective identity and agency.

The importance of knowledge of the fundamentals of proper psychosexual development in nursing practice, including aspects related to autosexual behaviour – the role of nurses in sexual education

Abstract Introduction. Sexology is defi ned as the scientifi c study of human sexuality, including its development, behaviour, functions and preferences. A lot of gynaecological problems are linked to sexual development. Development of the sexual organs is strictly associated with the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Conclusion. The aim of the study was to emphasize the importance of nursing care in sexual education on the example of masturbation of children. Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology is a multidisciplinary fi eld. Gynaecological problems among children and adolescents are often complex, both in terms of medicine and psychology, and require an interdisciplinary approach, including nursing care.

Access to digital pornography by children and teenagers: when should you be alerted?

Pornography and, more broadly, the consumption of sexually explicit images are not new phenomena. However, the rise of new technologies has significantly facilitated access to this type of content, especially among young people. In what family context does the use of digital tools occur? What are the stakes of exposure in children and adolescents? What impacts on psychosexual development? What are the reasons for the difficulty in restricting this behaviour? Is there an addictive dimension? Health professionals and trusted adults have a role to play, both in preventing exposure to unsolicited and potentially shocking content, and in opening up a dialogue in the case of problematic situations for the child or adolescent.

Clinical Assesment of Pediatric Burns: A Retrospective Study

Burn injuries represent a significant aspect of pediatric traumas, particularly prevalent during early childhood, involving a critical patient population characterized by elevated mortality and morbidity rates. This study explores burn incidents in children aged 0-6 years admitted to the Burn Unit of a tertiary hospital between January 1, 2016, and June 20, 2023, within the context of the existing literature. Additionally, it conducts an analysis of burn etiology, distribution, severity, and treatment interventions, categorizing a sample of 241 pediatric burn patients, predominantly within the 0-18 month age range. Children are categorized into three groups based on Sigmund Freud's "psychosexual development stages": 0-18 months, 18-36 months, and 36-72 months. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25, with a predetermined significance level of 0.05. Burns commonly present as scalds, flames, and chemical burns, primarily falling within the 11-20% range and predominantly involving second-degree burns. Treatment approaches include a combination of dressing and medical treatment in 68% of cases, debridement under general anesthesia in 16.2%, and grafting in 15.8%. The infection rate is 10.8%, with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa emerging as the predominant pathogen, and the mortality rate reported at 0.8%. The average hospitalization duration is 9 days. Highlighting the paramount importance of meticulous planning in managing burns in children under 6 years old and emphasizing the influence of parental factors, the study advocates for educating parents on safety measures as a crucial step in mitigating burn incidence. Stressing the pivotal role of epidemiological investigations in comprehending and preventing the root causes of burns, the research suggests that more extensive age-range studies and multicenter approaches could provide more robust epidemiological insights for the effective management of burn cases.

Critical Application of Psychoanalytical Theory on the Children Literature ‘Rapunzel’

The study has discussed the key ideas of Freud’s theory of dream work and psychoanalysis on the fairy tale Rapunzel written by Grimm brothers. The character of husband, wife and witch shows the Freud’s theory of id, ego and super-ego. Rapunzel reflects the psychosexual development theory of Freud, as Rapunzel is a girl who spend her life in a tower, which has no door, and windows in it. She does not touch ground or green grass in her lifetime. She lacks relationships all her life. When she met a prince, she was terrified at first because she never met any human in her life except her mother, but she drawn towards him because of her basic needs. The careful examination of the linguistic and visual text of the data indicates that Rapunzel is perfect example of the Freud’s psychosexual development in all his theoretical concepts. The investigative framework adopted for this study was case based exploratory research in which data was collected analysed and interpreted qualitatively. The sampling strategy drawn for this study was typical and critical case sampling technique.

Experiences and Psychological Impact Derived from Unwanted Exposure to Online Pornography in Spanish Adolescents

Abstract Introduction Unwanted exposure (UE) to sexual content may have important consequences on children/adolescents’ psychosexual development. Our objective was to analyze UE to online pornography, parental filter use, type of sexual contents seen, emotional/behavioral reactions, and UE as positive/traumatic experience in Spanish adolescents and to examine these experiences and reactions depending on the type of sexual content. Methods In 2020, 500 Spanish teenagers (13–18 years) completed an ad hoc questionnaire for the evaluation of different dimensions involved in UE to sexual contents, such as those mentioned in the study objectives. Results A high frequency of UE (88.2%) is observed. Regarding the kind of scenes, naked people, straight porn, and people showing genitals are the most unexpectedly seen. Adolescents used to react to the UE closing the window and deleting sexual materials. A greater predominance of negative emotions was revealed, and another noteworthy result is related to the role played by type of sexual content and gender. Gay scenes and being woman increased the probability of living the experience as non-positive, and being woman and viewing naked people/BDSM scenes/under-age sex were associated with reactions of rejection. Conclusions This study contributes significantly to the knowledge of UE to online pornography in adolescents. It provides valuable information about the role played by the type of sexual content seen and the gender in the diverse reactions/experiences derived from the UE to pornography. Policy Implications This topic, that is, involuntary exposure to online sexual material in adolescents, should be included in affective-sexual education and prevention programs at early ages, so that children/adolescents are already trained in healthy sexuality when facing this type of content for the first time. These programs, adjusted to the reality of our adolescents, will minimize the negative impact that UE may have on their psychosexual development.

Sexual Health in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer.

Sexual health (SH), an integral aspect of overall health and quality of life, can be negatively affected by cancer and cancer treatment. SH is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, and, for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), developmental factors. The AYA population (age 15-39 years) is diverse in terms of psychosexual development, interpersonal relationships, and varying levels of independence, resulting in unique SH needs for this population. AYAs with cancer are particularly vulnerable to unmet SH needs related to contraception and infection prevention, sexual function, body image, and romantic/sexual relationships. Sexual dysfunction during and after cancer treatment is reported by 30%-100% of AYA cancer survivors. Clinical guidelines recommend discussing SH and screening for dysfunction but currently lack specifics regarding psychosexual interventions and strategies for incorporating screening into clinical care. Research and clinical priorities include improved provider-AYA communication regarding SH, standardization of SH measures and screening tools, infrastructure to support the SH needs of AYAs across pediatric and adult clinical environments, and engagement of sexual and gender minority AYAs in research. As the field of SH in cancer evolves, interventions need to be tailored to the developmental needs that are unique to AYAs and address the multidimensional aspects of SH.

58.3 Pornography and Psychosexual Development in 2023

58.3 Pornography and Psychosexual Development in 2023

Parenting Practices Dalam Perkembangan Psikoseksual Pada Anak

Psychosexual development in children is influenced by the parenting practices parents use at each stage of psychosexual development. When parenting practices are used inappropriately, it will create obstacles to their psychosexual development. This study aims to find out how parenting practices are used in psychosexual development in children. The research method used is qualitative with a case study approach. Data collection techniques used are interviews and observation. Verification of the research data used is the triangulation technique. This research involved two respondents aged seven and nine years and two significant others, namely the respondent's mother and cousin. The results of the research are that there are obstacles in the respondent's psychosexual development, the parenting patterns used by the respondent's mother are parenting practices, punitive discipline, incoherence, warmth and positive involvement, and spanking. The sexual behavior carried out is imitated by the mother and family members as well as the impact of social media. The implication of this research is as input for parents to be able to avoid parenting patterns that hinder the process of psychosexual development which causes children to have sexual behavior.

The Hamburg Youth Prevention Project (HYPP) for adolescents with sexual interest in children.

Paedophilic sexual interest is often linked to an emergence during adolescence, but concrete empirical knowledge on its development and early viable treatments remains scarce. The aim of this article is to provide an overview about the current state of research on juveniles with sexual interest in children as well as to introduce the Hamburg Youth Prevention Project (HYPP). The HYPP aims to better comprehend the development of sexual interests in adolescents and seeks to find a basis for improved treatment strategies during this critical developmental period. In this perspective, we outline the framework, goals, and treatment approach for this project. It addresses adolescents who are sexually attracted to younger children or engage in sexual acts with children and who have not yet been in contact with the justice system. The project offers a diagnostic process, anonymous counselling, and treatment. It is grounded in a biopsychosocial perspective on psychosexual development and an integrative family-centred approach. The project is based on the core assumption that in adolescent participants, there is still great flexibility for development, including their sexual interests.

Mary Robinson’s Walsingham: Self-Monsterization, Gender Nonconformity, and Sexual (Dis)orientation

This essay argues that Mary Robinson’s subversion of gender in her Gothic novel Walsingham (1797) is more radical than critics have suggested. I offer a trans reading of Walsingham that focuses on the evolution of Sir Sidney Aubrey’s nonnormative gender identity and behavior. Along with emphasizing transformation and embodiment, trans theory disrupts essentializing categories such as male, female, heterosexual, gay, and lesbian. It thus provides a useful lens through which to examine Walsingham, in which Sidney and the title character transition from one identity to another. I examine the transgender Sidney’s conception of themself as a monster and the eponymous protagonist’s psychosexual development: throughout the novel, both characters see themselves as metamorphic, not-quite-human subjectivities driven by self-destructive passions. The novel’s conclusion presents a scenario in which gender transition occurs rapidly, a trans person finds acceptance, and the conflicted male protagonist immediately falls in love with them.