Sexual Activity Research Articles

Sexual violence, suicide, depression, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life among university students in Spain with a gender perspective: implications for social work

ABSTRACT Current research aims to relate both categories by investigating sexual violence as a risk factor for suicide among college students in Spain (N = 2004). Overall, 13.7% reported having suffered sexual violence in the last year and 3.3% completed sexual penetration. Having suffered sexual violence and lower perceived social support are associated with higher risk of suicidal behaviors. Incorporation of preventive measures against sexual violence in the university environment, as well as the promotion of supportive actions on university campuses in Spain, as well as in other countries. Policy and social work implications are discussed.

Interpersonal emotion regulation during relationship conflict: Daily and longitudinal associations with couples' sexual well-being.

Relationship conflicts, which are common among committed couples, provoke negative emotions with implications for sexual well-being (i.e., satisfaction, desire, low distress). Couples might manage these emotions through extrinsic interpersonal emotion regulation (IER; attempting to influence the emotions of a romantic partner). In a preregistered dyadic, daily diary, and longitudinal study, we examined how four distinct IER strategies-responsiveness, cognitive support, physical presence, hostility-perceived by a romantic partner during relationship conflict related to both partners' sexual well-being. Over 28 days, community couples (N = 122; recruited between 2022 and 2023) completed brief measures of IER and sexual satisfaction, desire, and distress on days of relationship conflict and full versions of these measures 4 months later. Results may be generalizable to community couples in North America; however, improving the diversity of samples in future research would extend generalizability. Generally, greater perceived responsiveness, cognitive support, and physical presence IER on conflict days were each associated with higher daily sexual satisfaction and desire for couples, while greater perceived hostility was associated with lower daily satisfaction and desire. Greater perceived physical presence averaged across diaries was associated with one's own increased desire 4 months later. Most effects were similar for men and women; however, on days when women perceived greater responsiveness and cognitive support from partners, their partners reported more sexual distress, but there was no association between men's perceived IER and partners' distress. Findings expand models of IER to include sexual well-being and support IER as a target for interventions aimed at promoting sexual well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Willingness and Attitude Towards Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Among Early-Adolescent Female School Students, in Harar, Ethiopia, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes various cancers, particularly in women with early sexual activity, multiple partners, and unprotected sex. However, the willingness of adolescents to receive the vaccine is influenced by community, organization, policy, and parental conditions. A study was conducted in Harar, Ethiopia, from January to February 2024. The study used a questionnaire adapted from previous studies and data collection involved face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were calculated and binary logistic was used to assess associated factors. The overall favorable attitude and willingness to take HPV vaccination in this study was 66.67% (95% CI: 61.9%, 71.2%) and 50.6% (95% CI: 45.7%, 55.5%), respectively. The factor associated with the willingness to get HPV vaccination was living with parents (AOR =2.06 95% CI 1.07, 3.95), having a father's education (AOR=1.63 95% CI 1.01, 2.66), vaccine hesitancy (AOR=0.63, 95% CI 0.41, 0.98), hesitancy and complacency (AOR=1.7, 95% CI 1.07, 2.69), (AOR=1.86, 95% CI1.18, 2.93) respectively. The factor associated with the attitude towards HPV vaccination was access to the minimal media, the occupation of the parents was non-governmental, vaccine hesitancy. The study indicates a moderate willingness and attitude towards HPV vaccination among early adolescent female students.

Reciprocal associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with sexual life in older adults: the roles of gender and importance attached to sexuality

Objectives To gain insight into the longitudinal, reciprocal associations between depressive symptoms and sexual satisfaction as well as the potential moderating roles of gender and perceived importance of sexuality. Method We analyzed longitudinal data from 2113 participants of the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam (LASA) with an initial age range of 54–93 years, using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Results There were no significant associations between baseline depressive symptoms and change in sexual satisfaction, nor between baseline sexual satisfaction and change in depressive symptoms. Gender and perceived importance of sexuality were moderators: in men higher depression scores were associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction, whereas in women higher depression scores were associated with an increase in sexual satisfaction. In participants for whom sexual life was important, higher depression scores were associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction. In participants for whom sexual life was not important, higher depression scores were associated with an increase in sexual satisfaction. Conclusion The associations between baseline depressive symptoms and change in sexual satisfaction as well as between baseline sexual satisfaction and change in depressive symptoms varied according to gender and importance ascribed to sexuality. Potential explanations might lie in the different roles sexual activity plays in sexual satisfaction in men and women.

The Context Matters: Women's Experiences of Their Partner's Odor in Intimate and Sexual Encounters.

Research shows that male body odor plays an important role in women's mate choice and that olfactory abilities are associated with women's sexual functioning. What remains unclear is what types of partner's odor actually shape women's experience during intimate activities. This study therefore explored women's experience associated with the partner's various odors and investigated how they affect women's intimate and sexual encounters. We performed semi-structured individual interviews with 20 single women and 20 women in a long-term relationship. Thematic analysis revealed four key natural odor types of the partner: body odor, sweat, genital odor, and semen odor. Further, we have identified three main types of fragrance odor (cologne, shower gel, and laundry agents) and investigated their perception in both intimate (hugging, kissing, cuddling, lying side by side) and sexual (intercourse, oral sex, ejaculation) contexts. Both partner's natural odor and fragrance affected women's emotional state (ranging from pleasant to unpleasant) and behavioral response (ranging from approach to avoidance of partner). Women's odor perception was frequently context-dependent, so that even mostly negatively perceived odors (e.g., semen, genital odor) were often accepted as part of sexual encounter. Finally, women's perception was negatively modified by partner's specific sweat (after workday, workout, or when the partner is ill) during intimate encounters. Our results highlight the complexity and interindividual variability of partner's odor perception.

The transmission route of hepatitis A, B, and C virus and its pathological changes on the liver

This study explored the globally prevalent pathogens, hepatitis viruses, and their significant impact on human health. This article mainly focuses on HAV, HBV, and HCV, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for future studies. HAV is mainly transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract, while HBV and HCV are mainly transmitted through blood, body fluids, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission. Pathologically, HAV is mostly acute, while HBV and HCV tend to be chronic, which can easily lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Analyzing the transmission mechanism and pathological changes of HAV, HBV, and HCV is crucial for preventing and controlling viral transmission, accurate diagnosis and treatment, formulating public health policies, and public health education. Understanding this information will help reduce the prevalence of hepatitis, improve treatment outcomes, and promote public health. However, the analysis of the structure of these viruses in existing studies is not sufficient. Future studies will further deepen the understanding of HAV, HBV, and HCV, promote vaccine and treatment innovation, and provide stronger support for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis.

Does No Mean No? Situational and Dispositional Factors Influence Emerging Adult Men's Intentions to Use Assault Tactics in Response to Women's Sexual Refusal During Hookups.

Hookups can result in sexual assault when men do not listen to requests from women to stop. It is thus important to identify factors that influence men's decisions to override direct refusals in these situations. Presently, we administered first-person vignettes depicting a prototypical hookup wherein the woman refuses the man's attempt to escalate intimacy. Using a national sample of emerging adult men (N = 420), we found that they on average did not completely rule out coercive or forcible tactics, but those elevated on rape myth acceptance, hypermasculinity, and psychopathy were uniquely at risk of assault when controlling for several other traits known to correlate with rape. Participants also reported being likelier to use coercive sexual practices when refusals occurred at higher levels of sexual intimacy already attained. Notably, diagnostic analyses revealed that a subset of men had a disproportionate influence on the regression estimates, and that these men were not only elevated across a range of assault-relevant traits, but also endorsed higher likelihoods of using coercion and force in the face of female sexual refusal. Although removal of these cases did not substantively alter the results, exploratory analyses revealed that these individuals responded differently to situational factors in ways that suggested sexual opportunism. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

A Mirror for Men? Feminist Activism of #ImitatingGreasyMen in China

With the evolution of social media, video-sharing platforms have emerged as new arenas for feminist activism. This article examines a new form of hashtag activism on Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok), where Chinese female vloggers satirically imitate certain male behaviors that are sexual aggressive to women. The term sexual aggression is used inclusively to indicate a continuum of manifestations of unwanted sexual behaviors that cover all acts of unwanted sexual contact from sexual harassment up to and including rape. Based on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of the top 20 most-viewed short videos tagged with #ImitatingGreasyMen, this study identifies two prevalent imitation archetypes: "Mansplainer'' and "Ordinary-But-Confident Men.", emphasizing the importance of social media platforms for women's expression of attitudes toward gender inequality using humorous language and gestures. Women can use social media platforms to mimic certain typical male behaviors through humorous language and actions in order to awaken women and stay tuned in society. The findings demonstrate a growing level of awareness and resistance to male chauvinist and patriarchal norms, suggesting a shift in traditionally male-dominated gender dynamics and the power of digital activism in challenging traditional gender norms and advancing feminist discourse in China's digital landscape.

Sexual health in patients with malignant hematological disease: a Danish cross-sectional study.

Patients who undergo treatment for hematologic malignancies may experience a decline in sexual health, alterations in sexual functioning, and reproductive capacity during survivorship. This study investigated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and factors influencing sexual activity and functioning in patients with hematologic malignancies, to identify potential targets for interventions in clinical practice. This nationwide cross-sectional study included adult patients diagnosed with a hematologic malignant disease in Denmark in the period from January 20, 2013, to August 20, 2022. Eligible participants received electronic questionnaires through their officially assigned digital mailbox. Outcomes included the Female Sexual Function Index, International Index of Erectile Function, Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Sexual Health, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. A total of 362 patients, on average 5.7 ± 3.4 years postdiagnosis, completed the questionnaires. Of these, 52.5% women and 73.2% men reported sexual dysfunction, with more women (40.9%) than men (34.1%) being sexually inactive. Across gender, this was significantly more prevalent in patients >65years of age and in those with a low quality of life. In addition, for women a significant association with fatigue and sleep difficulties was observed. In total, 40.3% reported sexual-related personal distress, with the highest proportion among patients 40 to 65years of age. Most patients (98.7%) with sexual dysfunction had not discussed sexual issues with their healthcare professional. It is hoped that knowledge from this study will help healthcare professionals in clinical practice and encourage them to proactively address and discuss sexual health issues with their patients, irrespective of age. Sexually inactive participants may reduce the overall score of sexual function in the scoring of both the Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function. We therefore analyzed sexual function in a subgroup analysis in only those being sexually active to emphasize that level of dysfunction persists in sexually active participants. Patients report a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and gender-specific sexual symptoms following diagnosis and treatment of a malignant hematologic disease, impacting their quality of life.Sexual Health in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies; NCT05222282; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05222282.

Experimental adaptation to pathogenic infection ameliorates negative effects of mating on host post-infection survival in Drosophila melanogaster

Sexual activity (mating) negatively affects immune function in various insect species across both sexes. In Drosophila melanogaster females, mating increases susceptibility to pathogenic challenges and encourages within-host pathogen proliferation. This effect is pathogen and host genotype dependent. We tested if mating-induced increased susceptibility to infections is more, or less, severe in hosts experimentally adapted to pathogenic infection. We selected replicate D. melanogaster populations for increased post-infection survival following infection with a bacterial pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis. We found that females from the selected populations were better at surviving a pathogenic infection compared to the females from the control populations. This was true in the case of both the pathogen used for selection and other novel pathogens (i.e., pathogens the hosts have not encountered in recent history). Additionally, the negative effect of mating on post-infection survival was limited to only the females from control populations. Therefore, we have demonstrated that experimental selection for increased post-infection survival ameliorates negative effects of mating on host susceptibility to infections.

Severe menopausal symptoms linked to cognitive impairment: an exploratory study.

To evaluate the association between menopausal symptoms and cognitive decline in postmenopausal women. This was a subanalysis of a cross-sectional, observational study conducted among women attending gynecological consultations across nine Latin American countries. The survey involved late postmenopausal women who were asked to complete a general questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to assess menopausal symptoms, with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment used to evaluate cognitive function as an outcome. A Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of less than 21 was used to define women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study included 1,287 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 55.5 years and a mean body mass index of 26.3 kg/m2. On average, participants had 13.8 years of education and 2.3 ± 1.8 children, with 72.8% reporting having a partner. Additionally, 36.7% ever used menopausal hormone therapy. Regarding lifestyle factors, 50.3% engaged in a sedentary lifestyle, whereas 70.5% had never smoked. 15.3% of women had MCI exhibited significantly more intense menopausal symptoms compared with those without MCI (MRS total score 15.24 ± 12.58 vs 10.53 ± 8.84, respectively, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between severe menopausal symptoms (MRS total score ≥14 points) and MCI (odds ratio [OR], 1.74; 95% CI, 1.25-2.42). Conversely, a lower body mass index (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98), sexual activity (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51-0.96), physical exercise (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.76), menopausal hormone therapy use (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.55), and higher educational level (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21-0.46) were associated with lower odds for MCI. Severe menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women were associated with cognitive impairment. This study highlights the intricate interplay between hormonal, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors and cognitive health.

Ohnut vs waitlist control for the self-management of endometriosis-associated deep dyspareunia: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Deep dyspareunia affects 50% of people with endometriosis. The Ohnut is a set of interlocking rings that fit over the penis/insertive object. One or more rings can be used to limit insertion depth and reduce deep dyspareunia. We conducted a pilot, parallel, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the feasibility of the study design and the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the Ohnut. Participants were recruited from a tertiary center for endometriosis. Eligibility criteria were surgically confirmed endometriosis, age 19-49years, monogamous sexual relationship with a partner willing to participate in the study, and no comorbid superficial dyspareunia, anxiety, or depression. Couples were randomized into an intervention group or a waitlist control group using a 1:1 allocation ratio. All couples had sex as normal during weeks 1 to 4 (baseline period), and couples in the intervention group used the Ohnut with sex during weeks 5 to 10 (intervention period) while controls had sex as normal. Patient participants used daily diaries to record sexual activity and deep dyspareunia score (0-10) for the 10-week study. Intervention group participants completed an acceptability questionnaire at the end of the study. The primary outcomes were feasibility of the study and acceptability of the Ohnut. We also assessed differences in deep dyspareunia scores in the participants who used the Ohnut compared to the control participants who did not. We recruited approximately 5 couples per month of active recruitment. Of 864 potentially eligible participants, we successfully contacted 44.7% (n = 386), of whom 8.0% (n = 31) consented, 64.8% (n = 250) were ineligible, and 27.2% (n = 105) declined. Thirty-one couples were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group, and 17 couples completed the study. Intervention group couples used the Ohnut for an average of 72.4% (32.7%) of sexual encounters during the intervention period. The mean acceptability index score for the Ohnut was 0.83 (0.078) among patients and 0.83 (0.049) among partners (index between 0 and 1). After controlling for baseline deep dyspareunia, there was a significant difference in the intervention period mean deep dyspareunia scores between the control and intervention group (4.69 (2.44) vs 2.46 (1.82), P = .012). We identified preliminary evidence for the acceptability and efficacy of the Ohnut among both patients and partners, suggesting that the Ohnut may be a useful stand-alone or adjuvant management tool for endometriosis-associated deep dyspareunia. Strengths of this study were the "real-world" use of the Ohnut and data collection from both patients and partners. Limitations of the study design included the strict eligibility criteria that affected feasibility and generalizability. This pilot RCT indicated that the Ohnut may be an acceptable and effective intervention to reduce endometriosis-associated deep dyspareunia. We identified opportunities to improve design for a larger RCT. This clinical trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT04370444).

Sexual assault victims face a penalty for adjacent consent

Across 11 experimental studies ( n = 12,257), we show that female victims of sexual assault are blamed more and seen as less morally virtuous if their assault follows voluntary sexual intimacy, a factor we term “adjacent consent”. Moreover, we illuminate a psychological mechanism contributing to this penalty: When a woman who provided no consent whatsoever is assaulted, people tend to see her as more moral than if she were not victimized (the “Virtuous Victim Effect”)—yet people do not extend the same moral elevation to victims who consented to sex-adjacent activity before they were assaulted. Adjacent consent plays a unique role in undermining the moral elevation of rape victims; respondents continue to elevate victims when, in the absence of adjacent consent, we introduce other information that makes the perpetrator seem less abhorrent or that makes the victim seem promiscuous, reckless, or sexually interested in her perpetrator. Furthermore, adjacent consent disqualifies rape victims from moral elevation in the eyes of a wide swath of respondents—including political liberals and undergraduates who, when no assault occurs, have no moral objection to (or even applaud) the victim’s voluntary sexual intimacy. Our results thus illuminate how sexual assault victims may be penalized for adjacent consent by even progressive or “sex-positive” communities. Finally, we identify a potential real-world consequence of adjacent consent: using field data from over 180,000 students across 33 U.S. universities, we find evidence that victims are less likely to report their sexual assaults in cases involving adjacent consent.

Delayed time to pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in bale zone administrative towns health facilities: multi-center cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe desire to conceive and become parents is a fundamental aspect of human life that carries immense personal, emotional, and societal significance. For many couples, achieving pregnancy represents a long-cherished dream, but the journey to parenthood is not always straightforward. The duration it takes to achieve the desired pregnancy can vary significantly among individuals and is influenced by many factors. This study explores the factors that influence the delayed time of pregnancy among women with naturally planned conception.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to May 30, 2023, in public health facilities of Bale Zone administrative towns, Southeast Ethiopia. Using systematic random sampling, 388 women participated in the study and a pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate logistic regression was done, and variables with p-values < 0.25 were exported to multivariable logistic regression, and a statistically significant association was declared at p-value < 0.05.ResultsThe study revealed delayed time to pregnancy was 18.6% with 95% (CI = 14.67-22.44%). Women’s age ≥ 35, (AOR = 2.61; 95%, CI: 1.17–5.82), menstrual irregularity (AOR = 3.79; 95% CI: 1.98–7.25), and frequency of sexual intercourse/week (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05–4.41) and women’s sexual dysfunction before conception (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.62–6.01) were significantly associated factors with delayed time to pregnancy at p-value < 0.05.ConclusionThe study revealed a substantial proportion of delayed time to pregnancy. This delayed time to pregnancy was associated with older maternal age, irregular menstrual cycles, coital activity per week, and the women’s sexual dysfunction before pregnancy. Consequently, addressing delayed time to pregnancy requires a targeted approach, prioritizing initiatives such as raising awareness, fostering increased frequency of sexual activity per week, exploring interventions for women with irregular menstrual patterns, and challenges related to sexual dysfunction.

Covert Mode of Sexual Crimes in the Tourism Sector in Indonesia

The phenomenon of sexual activity in tourism is still an unresolved problem, with every development the practice of prostitution can be found openly or covertly. These conditions cause the phenomenon of female commercial sex workers to continue to grow rapidly, as evidenced by the increasing number of comfort women or sex workers every year. Another problem caused by the existence of activities in the form of sex tourism which accommodate commercial sex workers is considered to be an act of immorality, in other words, this act is classified as something that violates and is contrary to moral norms, especially the practice of trafficking in persons in the tourism industry. Therefore, the research aims to analyze the forms and methods of sex crimes in the tourism sector and also how law enforcement related to sex crimes in the tourism sector in Indonesia is enforced. This research uses normative legal research with a statutory and conceptual approach. The data sources used are primary and secondary data sources. The data analysis used is classifying similar materials and processing them comprehensively so that this step is expected to make the flow of discussions on the completion of this research easier. The research results show that: first, forms of sexual crime in the tourism sector include commercial sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and sexual violence. Second, the law enforcement process against human trafficking, such as sex crimes in the tourism sector, does not only adhere to legal provisions, but must be linked to the social environment of society. The operation of law in society is not only emphasized by applicable regulations, but is also influenced by the social environment of the community. Likewise, preventing and enforcing the law against human trafficking is not only sufficient by making legal regulations that prohibit it, but also requires the participation of the community and government.

Clinical and Psychological Implications of Genital Vitiligo in a Thai Population.

The understanding of genital vitiligo among Thai individuals is limited. This study evaluated the clinical presentation, quality of life, and sexual health consequences of genital vitiligo. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study involving vitiligo patients aged 18 years or older with past or present genital involvement was conducted at Siriraj Hospital. It also measured aspects of sexual health and quality of life. The mean age of the 41 participants was 48.2 years, and 24 (58.5%) were males. All participants presented with genital vitiligo. In males, the penile shaft (45.8%), scrotum (45.8%), and glans (33.3%) were predominantly affected. In females, the mons pubis (64.7%), labia majora (23.5%), and labia minora (23.5%) were frequently involved. Both sexes reported afflictions in the pubic area (41.5%), inguinal region (36.6%), buttocks (34.1%), and oral mucosa (34.1%). Itching was the principal symptom in 26.8% of the patients. The median Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were significantly different (females 6, males 3.5). Compared with their male counterparts, females exhibited lower self-esteem (41.2% vs 29.2%), greater apprehension about marriage (11.8% vs 8.3%), and embarrassment about sexual activities (23.5% vs 16.7%). Remarkably, 65.9% of patients had not discussed their genital vitiligo with their doctors, and 51.2% of physicians had not inquired about or examined for genital involvement. Genital vitiligo adversely impacts quality of life and self-esteem, particularly among female patients. The lack of discourse between patients and physicians highlights a need for increased awareness and proactive clinical investigations to enhance patient care and satisfaction.

Exploring the Associations of Personality and Sexual Health Using the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders

This study explored the relationships between sexual health indicators (i.e., sexual satisfaction, distress, and function) and the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders, a promising dimensional framework for assessing personality pathology. A sample of 489 participants seeking help in private practice clinics completed self-report measures of sexual satisfaction, distress, and function, as well as dyadic adjustment, psychological distress, romantic attachment, personality impairment, and pathological personality facets. Results first showed that participants reaching the cutoffs for a personality disorder had significantly higher sexual distress and lower sexual function compared to participants without a personality disorder. Second, path analyses controlling for psychological distress, dyadic adjustment, and romantic attachment revealed that, for women, the Criterion B Intimacy Avoidance facet was consistently linked with higher sexual distress and lower sexual satisfaction and function. For men, result patterns were more complex, linking Criterion B Separation Insecurity with high sexual distress, and Separation Insecurity and Intimacy Avoidance facets with low sexual function. In addition, Criterion B Irresponsibility, Rigid Perfectionism, as well as Criterion A Intimacy impairment were linked with higher sexual satisfaction. These findings improve our understanding of the links between personality and sexual health and provide support for considering personality difficulties in sexual health interventions.

Do Demand-Withdrawal Communication Patterns During Sexual Conflict Predict Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Distress? An Observational and Prospective Study

ABSTRACT Sexual conflict is common, yet it is one of the most challenging topics for couples because it provokes more negative emotions relative to other conflicts. Such challenges might prompt couples to rely on less adaptive sexual communication styles. Communication patterns during sexual conflict – such as demand-withdrawal – have received little attention, and studies that do exist relied on self-report measures. Demand-withdrawal communication refers to when one partner exerts pressure to talk about a problem while the other withdraws, and is associated with poorer psychological and relationship well-being. In an observational dyadic study, we examined associations between demand-withdrawal patterns during a sexual conflict and sexual and relationship outcomes concurrently and over time. Couples (N = 151, M age = 31.92, SD age = 9.07) in long-term relationships completed measures of relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress at baseline (T1) and 12 months later (T2). One week after T1, they engaged in an in-lab discussion of an important sexual conflict, coded by trained observers for degree of demand-withdrawal. Individuals in a couple who were observed to display higher demand-withdrawal reported lower relationship and sexual satisfaction and higher sexual distress at T1, as well as lower relationship satisfaction at T2. Effects were not moderated by gender. Findings demonstrate the relevance of demand-withdrawal patterns during sexual conflict.

A Study of the Dyadic Associations of Self-Compassion on Sexual Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction: Evidence of Differential Associations

ABSTRACT Recent research has supported the positive effects of self-compassion for couples’ relationships; however, these efforts have only recently been applied to couples’ sexuality. Although there is some evidence supporting the associations between self-compassion and sexual satisfaction when satisfaction is conceptualized unidimensionally, it is unclear if and to what degree those associations are different for satisfaction and dissatisfaction when these constructs are assessed separately. The aim of this study was to understand the associations between self-compassion separately for sexual satisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction for romantic partner dyads. A sample of 230 married midlife Canadian couples participated in an online survey. Findings from distinguishable Actor Partner Interdependence Models indicated that women and men with higher levels of self-compassion reported more sexual satisfaction and less sexual dissatisfaction but the effects were stronger for satisfaction than dissatisfaction. Only men’s self-compassion affected women’s sexual dissatisfaction, but not vice versa. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to societal attitudes and application to sex and couples therapy.

Naked modernisation: the rise and fall of the erotic humour magazines in 1930s Turkey

This article discusses four erotic humour magazines – Piliç (Chick) (1930–1931), Bıldırcın (Quail) (1931), Çapkın Kız (The Flirtatious Girl) (1931) and Güvercin (Pigeon) (1931) – that appeared one after the other between 1930 and 1931 within the political, social and cultural atmosphere of the period in Turkey. It argues that the sudden emergence of these magazines was due to two important factors. The first factor is related to the rapidly reviving nightlife and entertainment scene in Istanbul from the 1920s onwards. The second factor is that the print media gave more space to sexual images of women to recover its sales figures, which suddenly dropped after the adoption of the Latin script in 1929. These magazines, published by well-known publishers in Istanbul and fuelled by the images in erotic magazines and postcards coming from abroad, promoted Western notions of beauty and fashion trends while glorifying monogamous relationships and sexual heteronormativity achieved through marriage along the lines of the modernist elites. This visual and textual erotica, which soon became the centre of controversy and was curbed by criminal sanctions, constitutes an important source to contribute to the literature on women's social position and sexual lives in early republican Turkey.