Sexual Behavior Research Articles

Hepatitis C treatment and behavioural risk among men who have sex with men with HIV: comparing interferon and direct-acting antiviral eras.

Little is known about the effect of HCV treatment on sexual risk behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV by treatment type (IFN-based vs DAA-based). MSM with HIV and recently acquired HCV infection enrolled in the observational MOSAIC cohort. Using data from 2009-2018, we evaluated risk behaviour through a validated HCV risk score (where ≥2 indicated high risk) and its individual risk behaviours. Levels of risk behaviour before, during and after treatment were modelled for each treatment episode using linear and logistic regression with Generalized Estimating Equations adjusting for DAA availability and number of re-infections. 140 MSM with a median age of 45 years (interquartile range=40-49) yielded 180 treatment episodes (n=131 IFN-based, n=49 DAA-based). Adjusted mean risk score before, during and after treatment was 2.4 (95% confidence interval (CI)=2.1-2.6), 0.9 (95%CI=0.8-1.0) and 1.7 (95%CI=1.5-1.8), respectively. Before treatment, no differences in mean HCV risk score or proportion of specific behaviours were found between the regimen groups. During treatment, MSM treated with DAAs had a higher average risk score and proportion of receptive condomless anal sex, sharing toys and unprotected fisting than those treated with IFN. After treatment, the proportion sharing straws were significantly higher in MSM treated with DAAs than IFN. MSM treated with DAAs, compared to IFN, had higher levels of HCV-related risk behaviour during treatment. The higher risk of HCV re-infection in the DAA-era underscores the need for ongoing HCV testing and behavioural interventions against HCV.

Mpox outbreak in a cluster of hospitals at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2022-2023: clinical presentation, risk factors, and preventive measures.

This study investigated the Mpox outbreak that occurred in a health cluster of three hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving 97 patients diagnosed between May and December 2023. Among them, 48% were Saudi nationals, 94% were men, and 73% were under 35 years old. While sexual activity was a potential transmission mode, only 38% of patients reported it. All patients were presented with skin lesions and common symptoms like fever, headaches, and itching, with two being HIV positive. Genotyping revealed all samples were from subclade IIb (West Africa clade). Unlike previous outbreaks, rashes and systemic symptoms emerged simultaneously without a prodromal phase. Stringent infection control measures kept healthcare workers safe, although underreporting of sexual behavior may limit the study's findings. This highlights the need for Mpox consideration in young individuals with skin lesions.

Influence of personality disorders on sexual behaviours and response to treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction in phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor non-responders.

Personality disorders may influence sexual behaviours and sexual dysfunction. Our main objective was to analyse the influence of personality disorders (PDs) in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) of psychological origin that fail to respond to andrological treatment with Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (IPDE5), assessing whether there are differences in sexual behaviours and response to psychosexual treatment. The research is designed as an ex post facto retrospective study with two groups. A control group of 23 men with ED without personality disorders and a group of 51 men with both ED and PDs. In the case sample, 34.30% of the participants presented more than one personality disorder. No significant differences were found in sexual behaviours except for heteromasturbation (men without PDs masturbated their partners more to satisfy them than men with PDs), and men with PDs considered themselves less premature ejaculators than the control group. Finally, 82.14% of the control group did well with psychosexual therapy compared to 53.85% of the PDs group. Psychosexual treatment of ED has a worse outcome if the men also have PDs. Strengths and Limitations: from a clinical standpoint, it is important to assess the presence of personality disorders in men with ED and to implement psychosexual strategies to improve the response to treatment in these cases. Confirmation of the results with a much larger sample becomes necessary.

The Role of Spirituality on Ambivalent Behaviors Among Christian Youth Attending Selected Churches in Kajiado County, Kenya

The role of spirituality in mitigating against ambivalent behaviors among Christian youth needs to be studied, with an aim to devising efficacious intervention programs, that can be escalated to other non-Christian youth. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between ambivalent behaviors (substance use and sexual behaviors) and spirituality (strength of faith and religious coping mechanisms) among the Christian youth attending four selected Churches in Kajiado County, Kenya. Through a descriptive research design, data was collected from 145 respondents aged 14-35 years (73 male,72 female) who were regularly attending Sunday services. Data collection instruments were the Santa Clara, to assess strength of faith, the Religious Coping Questionnaire (BRIEF-COPE) to assess the religious coping mechanisms, the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) for sexual impairment and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test - Lite (ASSIST-Lite) for substance use. Data was analysed quantitatively using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, version 29) utilizing Kendall’s tau-b, and scatter plots were generated to assess the nature of the relationship between spirituality and ambivalent behaviors. Findings pointed to a positive statistically significant relationship between sexual behaviors and negative religious coping (τb=.223, 95% C.I .117-.324, p=.008) showing that increased use of negative coping mechanism was related to increased sexual behaviors. The scatter plots showed that overally, ambivalent behaviors had a weak negative relationship with positive coping mechanisms (R2=1.1%) and strength of faith(R2=1.1%), and a weak but positive relationship with negative coping (R2=2.1%). There were several outliers in all the three scatter plots, showing a non-linear relationship implying that other factors were related to the ambivalent behaviors aside from the spirituality. The findings thus pointed to a moderate correlation between spirituality and ambivalent behaviors, where increased faith and use of positive coping mechanisms can mitigate against ambivalent behaviors, but there is also need for additional programs that could directly address the underlying causes, as well as the propagating factors. The study thus recommends a multi-faceted approach, incorporating psychological programs alongside the spiritual nurture, to address ambivalent behaviors among Christian youth. Such programs have the potential to be escalated to other non-Christian youth.

Preferences for oral and injectable PrEP among qualitative sub-study participants in HPTN 084.

HPTN 084 compared the safety and efficacy of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB) to daily oral TDF/FTC for prevention of HIV-1 in uninfected African women. Like a similar trial in MSM/TGW (HPTN 083), the trial was stopped early for efficacy, expediting the need to consider introduction strategies for different populations. We examine survey and qualitative data from a four-country sub-study to examine oral and injectable PrEP acceptability and considerations for CAB access among African women. Participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys on HIV risk perception, sexual behavior. product acceptability and adherence during the blinded trial. Additionally, up to two in-depth interviews each with 73 sub-study participants explored product use and trial-related experiences, during the blinded and unblinded study periods. Using survey data, we classified participants as: engaged in female sex work (FSW), having multiple non-transactional partners, or monogamous. A study statistician identified participants' assigned study arm. We followed a thematic analysis process to read transcripts, develop a codebook and apply codes in NVivo to transcripts with intermittent intercoder reliability checks; using Excel matrices to explore differences across risk categories and study arms. Participants overwhelmingly preferred injections to pills, appreciating the ease, convenience, and privacy of a long-acting formulation. Many participants described challenges with contraceptive and/or study pill adherence, impeded by late night work, unexpected travel, or heavy drinking. Women in the TDF/FTC arm were more likely to describe side effects, compared to those in the CAB arm. Pain also varied widely by study arm. When considering post-trial access to CAB, limited PrEP knowledge, cost and concerns around stigma and poor service quality were potential access barriers. Women's desire for privacy and ease of use outweighed injectable concerns, resulting in a strong preference for CAB. Cost and accessibility will need to be addressed by implementation programs.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Sexual Functioning - is there a connection?

Understanding how ADHD affects sexual functioning is key to providing comprehensive care. This review looks into the current research on sexual health in people with ADHD, focusing on how common sexual dysfunction is, how ADHD symptoms might impact sexual behavior, and what role medications play. By summarizing the existing studies, this review aims to highlight what we don’t know yet and suggest future research to improve treatment and patient outcomes. The review covers literature related to sexual functioning in ADHD, particularly looking at connections to hypersexuality, paraphilias, and various sexual behaviors. A thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, was conducted using relevant keywords such as 'ADHD,' 'hypersexuality,' 'paraphilias,' 'sexuality,' 'sexual behavior,' and 'sexual violence.' The study duration was 6 months. Common features of ADHD, such as impulsivity, poor impulse control, and difficulties with self-regulation, may contribute to risky sexual behaviors, compulsive sexual behavior, or the development of paraphilic interests. It's important for doctors dealing with ADHD in children to discuss sexual health as the patient nears adolescence and offer guidance on safe sex. Treatment should combine medication with therapy. Since impulsivity seems to play a big role in risky sexual behavior, making contraceptives readily available could be important for sexual health. Longitudinal studies are necessary to better understand the temporal relationships and progression of sexual behaviors and ADHD symptoms over time. Given the potential impact of ADHD on sexual behavior and functioning, healthcare providers should consider screening for ADHD in patients presenting with issues related to hypersexuality, paraphilias, or other sexual concerns.

Knowledge and Perspective regarding Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Adolescents in Selected Schools of Birendranagar Mucinipality of Surkhet, Karnali Province

Introduction: Adolescence is the period of transition and opportunity in which physical, psychological, and social changes occur. Adolescents have various sexual and reproductive health problems like teenage pregnancy, abortions, sexually transmitted infections, etc. This study was designed to investigate the adolescence’s knowledge and perspective towards sexual and reproductive health in Birendranagar Municipality of Surkhet, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the adolescence’s knowledge and perspective towards sexual and reproductive health in Birendranagar Municipality of Surkhet, Nepal. Structured questionnaires were developed in close-ended form and administered to a selected sample population. The questionnaire contained questions in five domains: social-demographic data, knowledge regarding adolescents’ sexual life, knowledge on reproductive health and safe sexual behavior, practices of sexual behaviors, and other contextual factors. In this study, a total of 328 respondent’s questionnaires were issued, and 312 were valid. The response rate was 95%. Results: There were a total of 312 participants, 174 boys, 137 girls, and 1 third gender involved in the study. Around 80% of adolescents were from secondary level education, and only 20% were from basic level education. Nearly half of the adolescents had inadequate knowledge of adolescents’s sexual and reproductive health. Sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancy, early marriage, and STIs were the common reproductive health problems faced by adolescents. Conclusion: So, based on the above findings, government of Nepal should make different plans and policies to solve the adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health problems.

Age at first sex and other determinants of multiple sexual partnerships among sexually active adolescent girls in Ghana: a regression analysis of the 2022 Ghana demographic and health survey

BackgroundEarly sexual debut is a widely recognized public health issue due to its influence on lifetime multiple sexual partners which can lead to complications such as teenage pregnancy, abortion, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. However, there is paucity of research evidence on sexual behaviour such as age at first sexual intercourse and the number of sexual partnerships among adolescent girls in Ghana. This study aims to examine the influence of age at first sexual intercourse and other determinants on multiple sexual partnerships among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in Ghana.MethodsData for this study were obtained from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) conducted between October 17, 2022 and January 14, 2023. A total weighted sample of 719 sexually active adolescent girls who reported having sexual partners was extracted from the women’s data file. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 27, employing multilevel logistics regression modelling. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe average age at sexual debut for adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in Ghana is 15.5 years. A little over half (51.6%) of adolescent girls reported having two or more lifetime sexual partners. Adolescent girls who initiated sex before reaching age 15 were more likely (aOR = 2.00; C.I 1.39–2.87) to have multiple partners compared to those who had their first sex before attaining age 20. After controlling for other factors, girls who had their sexual debut before age 15 had higher odds (aOR = 1.85; C.I:1.30–3.31) of engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. Girls living female headed households (aOR = 2.25; C.I:1.18–4.29] and consuming alcohol (aOR = 2.38; C.I 2.38–1.09–5.17) had higher odds of having multiple sexual partners.ConclusionThe study findings show that early sexual debut, living in female headed household, and consuming alcohol are strong predictors of multiple sexual partnerships among adolescent girls in Ghana. It suggests the need for policies promoting delayed sexual debut and empowering adolescents to make informed decisions to improve sexual health outcomes.

A script fogalma és gyakorlati alkalmazhatósága

The collection presents professional materials that draw attention to the applicability of the concept and theory of script to the analysis of the attitudes of individuals and social groups towards different issues. The materials presented illustrate that scripts are procedures, scenarios that people use in predetermined situations, and that these procedures are situation-dependent. The application of this approach from a rural development perspective is not yet widespread - it is more commonly used in the field of gender roles and sexual behaviour - but there are already rural sociological analyses that show how scripts can influence development experiments and existing practices. The examples and methodological considerations that can be found in the related literature can be interpreted and applied to the case of the Szeklerland, in relation to a range of social problems and groups.

“I Feel More Masculine Having Sex with a Woman Than Being Fucked by a Man”: Masculinity and Bisexual Men's Experiences of Sex with Women and Men

ABSTRACT Prior research with heterosexual and gay men suggests that heteronormative, hegemonic masculine norms influence sexual behaviors, including in relation to sexual health, and in sex between men, positioning in anal intercourse. This qualitative study offers an in-depth account of how bisexual men’s beliefs about masculinity and about the gendered nature of certain sexual behaviors may influence their experiences of sex with women and men, and the sexual practices they engage in. Twenty-two bisexual men participated in one-to-one, semi-structured interviews, where they were asked about their experiences of sex with women and men in relation to their beliefs about masculinity. A reflexive thematic analysis identified the influence of prevailing discourses of heteronormativity and hegemonic masculinity on sexual experiences and behaviors. Participants’ beliefs about masculinity and the gendered nature of certain aspects of sex influenced experiences relating to sexual performance, sexual assertiveness, positions adopted, practices engaged in, and how gender was enacted in sexual encounters. Sex with women was experienced as more masculine than sex with men: Participants described feeling more sexually assertive than their sexual partners, in control of the encounter, and responsible for facilitating their partners’ sexual pleasure. Sex with men was experienced as more egalitarian and provided favorable opportunities to relinquish sexual control and responsibilities around facilitating pleasure, and to feel less masculine, including by engaging in receptive anal intercourse. Findings therefore indicate that, for some bisexual men, masculinity is highly salient, influencing a range of sexual behaviors and experiences in sex with women and with men.

Risky Sexual Behaviour and the Associated Factors Among Secondary School Youths in Khorixas, Namibia

Background: Like most African countries, Namibia has a large percentage of its population in the youthful age group, most of whom are in secondary school. In Namibia, the age of consent for sex is 16 years but, in most cases, children have their sexual debut way below the age of 16 years. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour and the associated factors among secondary school youths aged 15-21 years in the Khorixas district of the Kunene Region in Namibia. Methods: This was a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study. A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from 276 learners, selected from three public schools in the Khorixas district employing a cluster sampling technique. Information on demographics and factors associated with risky sexual behaviour was gathered. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software which included descriptive statistics generating frequencies and percentages. Results: The study revealed the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among secondary school youths in Khorixas district, Kunene region of Namibia to be 78.9%. The risky sexual behaviour identified included multiple partners, nonuse of condoms and early sexual debut. Gender, place of residence, parental educational level, peer pressure, alcohol use/abuse, and watching pornographic content were some of the factors found to lead to risky sexual behaviour among the youths in this district of Namibia. Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviour is common in secondary schools in Khorixas district of Namibia. This sexual behaviour may follow these youngsters to adulthood and may significantly affect their social and reproductive life. Complications resulting from risky sexual behaviour among school youths include contracting STIs and HIV, getting unwanted/unplanned pregnancies and dropping out of school prematurely.

The Sibling Sexual Behaviour Mapping Tool (SSBMT): Supporting practitioner confidence, planning and competency when responding to sexual behaviours between siblings

ObjectivesThis paper outlines the development and initial pilot of the Sibling Sexual Behaviour Mapping Tool (SSBMT). Building on the findings of the National Project on Sibling Sexual Abuse (King-Hill, McCartan, et al., 2023) and work by Yates and Allardyce (2023), the tool was devised with the aim of supporting frontline child-protection social workers during the initial stages of working with families where sibling sexual behaviours (SSB) may be present. MethodsThis paper explores the rationale for the SSBMT design, and preliminary findings from the first phase of resource evaluation. The evaluation process comprised a small pilot with social workers across seven local authorities in the United Kingdom (UK). The pilot study sought to assess the workability and effectiveness of the SSBMT within social work practice, providing stakeholder insight prior to its launch. The study employed mixed methods to gain feedback on the SSBMT design, accessibility, ease of use and compatibility with current child protection work processes, which included training of 50 practitioners, surveys with 20 professionals and two semi-structured interviews. FindingsThe findings suggest that the SSBMT increased practitioner confidence when working with SSB, and promoted holistic, whole-family approaches in the initial stages of work with children and families affected by SSB.

Spermatogenic and Libido Enhancing Effect of Ethanol Extract of Kigelia Africana in ∆9 Tetrahydrocannabinol Induced Erectile Dysfunction in Male Wistar Rats

Erectile dysfunction has remained one of the major global health issues for the past two decades. Since the discovery of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, a significant number of patients have solved the issue of erectile dysfunction. However, the wide distribution of phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes at various sites of the body led phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors to cause various unnecessary outcomes. Hence, it is vital to look for optional agents that could solve these limitations. In this present work, erectile dysfunction was induced by administering 30 mg/kgbwt THC for 3 days. Treatment given was as follows: A - Normal Control, B - Std control (THC+Viagra), C - Negative control (THC only), D - THC + 200 mg/Kgbwt ethanol leaf extract of Kigelia africana (200 mg/Kgbwt), E - THC + 400 mg/Kgbwt ethanol leaf extract of Kigelia africana for a succession of 14 days. Sexual behaviour parameters were monitored in the male rats on Days 1, 7 and 14 respectively after administration by pairing with a receptive female (1:1); thereafter, rats were sacrificed and serum was collected for some biochemical parameters using standard method. Cage side observation on the animals revealed prospective behaviours by the receptive female rats and precopulatory behaviours by the ethanol extract K.africana treated male rats.The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the frequencies of mount and intromission.In addition, the ejaculation latency was significantly (P&lt; 0.05) prolonged.The latencies of mount and intromission were reduced significantly (P&lt;0.05) whereas ejaculation frequency increased. The extract also reduced the post-ejaculatory interval of the Wistar rats. Computed percentages of index of libido, mounted, intromitted, ejaculated and copulatory efficiency were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in the extract-treated animals in a dosage dependent manner than the control whereas the inter copulatory interval decreased significantly. The extract also significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the serum testosterone, FSH and LH concentration but significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced serum oestrogen, prolactin and progesterone of the treated groups when compared with the control. The extract also significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the sperm motility, total sperm count, and sperm viability but produced a significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in serum immobility when compared with the THC control. It can be inferred from this work that an extract of K. africana may elicit spermatogenic, androgenic and libido enhancing activities in THC induced erectile dysfunction in a dosage dependent manner.

Hidden in the plains: Two new extra‐andean species of Euathlus (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) from Argentina with comments on their sexual behaviour

AbstractTwo new species of Euathlus (Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich‐Königlichen Zoologisch‐Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, 1875, 25, 125) from Argentina are described. Euathlus ameghinoi sp. n. and Euathlus ventus sp. n. are the first records for the Patagonian Steppe. Here we used mitochondrial DNA (cox1) to perform the first molecular phylogeny of some representatives of the genus. In addition, we present the first description of the sexual behaviour of the genus. Both molecular and cladistic morphological analysis showed the genus Euathlus as monophyletic, and new species were recovered as sister groups. New species show new morphological variations of typical characters for the genus (e.g. tibial apophyses and palpal organs).

Unveiling the critical role of androgen receptor signaling in avian sexual development

Gonadal hormone activities mediated by androgen and estrogen receptors, along with cell-autonomous mechanisms arising from the absence of sex-chromosome dosage compensation, are key factors in avian sexual development. In this study, we generate androgen receptor (AR) knockout chickens (AR−/−) to explore the role of androgen signaling in avian sexual development. Despite developing sex-typical gonads and gonadal hormone production, AR−/− males and females are infertile. While few somatic sex-specific traits persist (body size, spurs, and tail feathers), crucial sexual attributes such as comb, wattles and sexual behaviors remain underdeveloped in both sexes. Testosterone treatment of young AR−/− males fails to induce crow behavior, comb development, or regression of the bursa of Fabricius, which are testosterone-dependent phenotypes. These findings highlight the significance of androgen receptor mechanisms in fertility and sex-specific traits in chickens, challenging the concept of a default sex in birds and emphasizing the dominance of androgen signaling in avian sexual development.

Unnecessary antibiotic use in men who have sex with men (MSM) with anogenital symptoms attending a sexual health clinic: a retrospective analysis

ObjectivesTo quantify the amount of unnecessary antibiotics, in particular ceftriaxone, given to men who have sex with men (MSM) with anogenital symptoms as part of presumptive management in an urban...

Pornography Use and Associated Factors in Adolescents: A Cross-Jurisdictional Approach (Spain vs. Mexico).

Pornography use is common among adolescents. However, there has been limited in-depth examination of cross-country differences in adolescent pornography use. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to understand cross-jurisdictional differences in problematic pornography use (PPU) in 1810 adolescents from Spain and Mexico. The relationship between sociodemographic variables, loneliness, sexual risk behaviors, and religiosity with PPU and cross-jurisdictional differences between the two Spanish-speaking populations was assessed. In the Spanish sample, pornography use was a mediator of risky sexual behaviors, with this association being greater in males, older individuals, and those with a non-heterosexual orientation. In the Mexican sample, non-use of condoms was directly statistically predicted by older age, poor familial relationships, low religiosity, and more frequent pornography use. Jurisdictional differences in relationships between variables were observed in the two samples (Spanish and Mexican). Clinical implications and potential sociocultural factors that may underlie observed differences in the two Spanish-speaking cultures are considered and warrant additional investigation.

Help-Seeking Behaviors of Young People with Problematic Sexualized Behaviors

ABSTRACT A substantial proportion of all reported child sexual abuse is perpetrated by other young people, though it is challenging to accurately depict its prevalence. Even less is known about the help-seeking behaviors of young people. Understanding how they seek help for their own problematic sexualized behavior is crucial to better inform therapeutic interventions and early intervention opportunities. This study used an administrative dataset of contacts (N = 901) received by Kids Helpline over nine years. Given the paucity of research on this topic, our approach to draw upon the contacts made to Kids Helpline by young people concerned about their own sexualized interests or behaviors is innovative and exploratory. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the characteristics of each contact as well as the demographics of the young people making contact. The present study examined the characteristics of 695 males and 206 females (aged 10 to 25) seeking help for their own problematic sexualized behaviors. Young people who contacted Kids Helpline for problematic sexualized behavior reported the following specific concerns: sexual behaviors (40.50%) and pornography use (38.20%). A quarter of contacts (25.86%) raised multiple concerns. Results suggest that intervention should be provided early and in an age-graded way. Several implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Sexual and Affectionate Behaviors and Satisfaction for Adults in Romantic Relationships: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Engaging in both sexual and affectionate behaviors with a romantic partner is often beneficial for adults' sexual and relationship satisfaction and promotes relationship stability. However, prior research has primarily examined either adults' sexual or affectionate behaviors, and has yet to explore patterns of sexual and affectionate behaviors and their associations with sexual and relationship satisfaction. In the current paper, we used a person-centered approach and latent profile analysis to identify specific profiles of adults' physical behaviors in same-gender and mixed-gender relationships, and examined associations of these profiles with sexual and relationship satisfaction. Adults (N = 336, 85.4% LGBTQ+; 45% women, 30% men, 38.6% gender-diverse; Mage = 29.07 years) who were currently in a committed romantic partner relationship for at least six months completed online surveys. We found that a 3-profile solution best fit the data and identified the following profiles: Infrequent Physical Behaviors, Affection-focused Behaviors, and Comprehensive Physical Behaviors. Adults in the Infrequent Physical Behaviors profile were less sexually and relationally satisfied than adults in the other profiles. Adults in the Comprehensive Physical Behaviors profile were more sexually satisfied than the two other profiles. Further, profiles did not differ for mixed-gender compared to same-gender or gender-diverse couples. Our findings have implications for understanding the diversity in adults' physical behavior patterns, including how clinicians might better support adults' sexual and relationship satisfaction.

‘When extramarital sex threatens patriarchy’: the iwushi-miri rite among Mgbowo women of southeastern Nigeria

This study argues that not every instance of extramarital sexual intercourse among the Igbo women of southeastern Nigeria is adulterous. Using the sex-related rite of iwushi-miri (pouring of water) among the Mgbowo women of southeastern Nigeria (Igboland) as an example, the study explores the different means that the women have used in negotiating extramarital relationships, and sexual behaviours in the traditional, colonial and Christian patriarchal environments. The study brings together both ethnographic and feminist cultural resistance research to appraise the distinctions between punishable and culturally permitted extramarital sexual practices, and to highlight the role that extramarital sexual culture played in resisting the patriarchal domination of female sexuality in the age of empire. It also explores the challenges and the responses of Mgbowo women in negotiating extramarital relationships in a modern-day patriarchal setting. It sets out to explore how women’s sex power, agency and influence have been silenced in the colonial archives and mainstream scholarship. Through semi-structured interviews, the analysis of material culture, and participant observation, this study provides insight into traditional sexual culture(s), marital intercourse, and sex-related rituals among Mgbowo women.