Sexual Feelings Research Articles

Sex Feelings: A Mediated Group Path Analysis of the Association of Perceptions of Parent Communicated Sexual Values with Sexual Attitudes and Outcomes in Emerging Adulthood

ABSTRACT Although communication between parents and children about sexually transmitted diseases and avoiding unwanted pregnancy has been shown to be effective in increasing safe sex practices, parents also implicitly (or explicitly) communicate their own values and attitudes about sex in conversations with their children that might have impacts on their children’s sexual feelings and behaviors beyond adolescence. Data were collected from undergraduate students in a human development class (N = 351; 265 women). Multiple group path analysis was used to investigate how emerging adults’ perceptions of their parents’ sexual values, either leaning toward sexual exploration or abstinence, were associated with their own sexual attitudes, frequency of sexual activity with a partner, desired frequency of sexual activity with a partner and sexual satisfaction. Sexual exploration and abstinence values communicated by parents were significantly associated with emerging adults’ permissive and instrumental sexual attitudes; however, only permissive sexual attitudes mediated relationships between parental values and emerging adult sexual outcomes. Only parent-communicated abstinence values had significant direct effect on any of the sexual outcomes (sexual satisfaction). Additionally, gender only moderated the direct relationship between parental abstinence values and sexual frequency; this relationship was significant only for women.

Public Opinion on the Sexuality of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Review of the Literature

People with intellectual disabilities (PID) experience the same range of sexual thoughts, feelings, desires, and activities as anyone else. However, the public’s view, especially about stereotypes, is noticeable to have an impact on sexuality and people with disabilities, thereby influencing the population which includes the families of PID, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. This review aims to analyze the opinions of public, family of PID or care staff on the sexuality of PID and the methodology applied. Eleven quantitative peer-reviewed papers were identified. Participants’ attitude could be evaluated as a binary classification of either “Restrictive” or “Acceptance” in four aspects. Demographic background and the conditions of the PID were found to have an influence on people’s attitudes. People acknowledge that PID are not asexual but generally the public holds a more accepting attitude towards the sexuality of PID when compare with family of PID or care staff. Further research on this attitude gap is particularly essential, as this will contribute valuable information and provide insight to policymakers on handling the social, legal and ethical concerns about the sexuality of PID.

Living in a Paradox: How Older Single and Widowed Black Women Understand Their Sexuality

ABSTRACT The current phenomenological study explored how single and/or widowed older Black women understand their sexuality in the context of their Black matriarchal role and through their relational interactions with their children, families, friends, and their extended social networks. The women spoke about their sexuality in the contexts of Black matriarchy, concept of self, and communication. Black matriarchy was defined as the tenacity with which, as Black women and Black mothers, participants occupied a centralized role in their families, while concept of self reflected heavily on conflicting perceptions they held of their understanding of themselves as sexual beings. Regarding communication, many participants felt constrained in self-disclosing their sexual feelings and relationship status. Living in a paradox exemplified our interpretation of the women’ struggles as they tried to balance the expectations of the roles they occupied in society with their own identity as a sexual being. Our findings offer a nuanced exploration of the various dimensions about how they understand themselves by providing invaluable insight into their world as older Black women. The implications for policy and practice pertain to assessing the fundamental historical and contemporary issues that older Black women face while simultaneously considering the convergence of race, gender, and sexuality

Men's Sexual Experiences with the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The dapivirine vaginal ring has been well-tolerated and shown to prevent HIV in clinical trials. The ring is female initiated, yet endorsement for use is sought from male partners in many relationships. In clinical studies, participants have expressed worries about men detecting rings during vaginal sex, which introduces concerns about product use disclosure, sexual pleasure, penile harm, inter-partner dynamics, and ring removals. This study reports African men's firsthand sexual experiences with the ring. Qualitative data were captured through 11 focus group discussions and one in-depth interview with 54 male partners of ring-users at six research sites in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Following a semi-structured guide, and using demonstration rings, vulva and penis models, men were asked to discuss the ring's impact on sex and views on male engagement and ring use. Interviews were facilitated by local male social scientists, audio-recorded, translated into English, and analyzed thematically. 22 (41%) of the male partners reported feeling the ring during sex, often attributed to perceived incorrect insertion. Many men described the ring as "scratching" the tip of their penises, and sensations of "prodding" something that "blocked" the vagina and prohibited "full entry". In most cases, feelings dissipated with time or when sexual fluids increased. Less common descriptions included perceiving the vaginal texture, wetness and size as different, which increased pleasure for some, and decreased for others. Over half (59%) never noticed the ring; some attempting and failing to feel it during intercourse. A majority of men reported that the ring did not lead to changes in sexual positions, feelings, frequency or experience of sex, although some were initially afraid that the ring was a "magic snake" or "potion". Male partners expressed strong opinions that ring use was a shared prevention responsibility that men should be engaged in, especially for maintaining trust and open communication in relationships. The ring was noticed by many male partners, particularly during women's initial stages of ring use, although this led to few sexual problems or changes. Nevertheless, results suggest that risk of ring discovery should be discussed with women to mitigate any potential negative reactions or social harm. Strategies to increase male partner engagement will enhance support of this prevention method for women.

Impact of cervical cancer on the sexual and physical health of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ghana: A qualitative phenomenological study.

Introduction:Although cervical cancer is preventable, it is a major gynecological disorder among women currently. More than 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer are being diagnosed across the globe, with one woman dying of cervical cancer every 2 min. In addition, about half of cervical cancer survivors have challenges with their sexual function. Despite these findings, literature regarding the sexual function of women with cervical cancer is scanty. The study aims to assess cervical cancer’s impact on the sexual and physical health of women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ghana.Methods:The researchers of this study employed a qualitative approach with phenomenological design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 participants engaged in face-to-face in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded. The content of the transcripts was analyzed using content analysis.Results:This study revealed that cervical cancer patients experienced low libido due to the cervical cancer symptoms and the side effects of chemotherapy. This low libido made them divert their sexual gratification from the vagina to other centers of the body. Findings further revealed that some participants showed apathy toward their partners’ sexual feelings. Some physical problems experienced by the participants were also unraveled.Conclusion:Cervical cancer affects all aspects of a woman’s health, including sexual function and physical well-being. Therefore, there is the need for more to help address challenges faced by cervical cancer women about their sexual and physical health.

Strong representationalism and bodily sensations: Reliable causal covariance and biological function

ABSTRACT Bodily sensations, such as pain, hunger, itches, or sexual feelings, are commonly characterized in terms of their phenomenal character. In order to account for this phenomenal character, many philosophers adopt strong representationalism. According to this view, bodily sensations are essentially and entirely determined by an intentional content related to particular conditions of the body. For example, pain would be nothing more than the representation of actual or potential tissue damage. In order to motivate and justify their view, strong representationalists often appeal to the reliable causal covariance between bodily sensations and certain kinds of bodily conditions or to the corresponding biological function that these bodily sensations are supposed to fulfill. In this paper, I argue on the basis of recent empirical research that arguments from reliable causal covariance and biological function cannot motivate the introduction of corresponding intentional content. In particular, I argue that bodily sensations are caused by a heterogeneous class of physiological and psychological factors and their biological functions are too diverse to be reduced to the representation of a particular bodily condition. Responses are available to strong representationalists, but they either require substantial alterations to their core assumptions or incur a significant empirical burden.

Transgender medicalization and the attempt to evade psychological distress.

In this paper the author argues that trans‐identification and its associated medical treatment can constitute an attempt to evade experiences of psychological distress. This occurs on three levels. Firstly, the trans person themselves may seek to evade dysregulated affects associated with such experiences as attachment trauma, childhood abuse, and ego‐alien sexual feelings. Secondly, therapists may attempt to evade feelings, such as fear and hatred, evoked by engaging with these dysregulated affects. Thirdly, we, as a society, may wish to evade acknowledging the reality of such trauma, abuse and sexual distress by hypothesizing that trans‐identification is a biological issue, best treated medically. The author argues that the quality of evidence supporting the biomedical approach is extremely poor. This puts young trans people at risk of receiving potentially damaging medical treatment they may later seek to reverse or come to regret, while their underlying psychological issues remain unaddressed.

Sexual Ethics and Stoic First Movements in A Sentimental Journey

This essay argues that Laurence Sterne uses the Stoic theory of first movements to defend sexual feeling in A Sentimental Journey. In support of this thesis, the essay provides a short overview of Stoicism in eighteenth-century Britain, expounds the Stoic theory of first movements and its reception in later European thought, shows the presence of the theory in some of Sterne’s favourite writers, and provides a reading of ‘The Conquest’, the key chapter in Sterne’s defence of sexual desire.

The impact of cancer-related fertility concerns on current and future couple relationships: People with cancer and partner perspectives.

The purpose of this study was to examine how cancer-related fertility concerns impact on couple relationships from the perspectives of people with cancer (PWC) and partners of people with cancer. A qualitative research design was used, drawing data from open-ended responses to a survey and in-depth individual interviews. Eight hundred and seventy-eight PWC (693 women, 185 men) and 144 partners (82 women, 62 men), across a range of tumour types and age groups, completed a survey, and 78 PWC (61 women and 17 men) and 26 partners (13 women and 13 men), participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified that many PWC and partners experience a 'double burden', manifested by cancer-related fertility concerns creating relational stress, changes to couple sexual intimacy and feelings of inadequacy when forming new relationships. However, many participants adopted strategies to facilitate coping with infertility or fertility concerns. This included acceptance of infertility and privileging of survival, focusing on relationship growth, optimism and nurturing in other ways. Cancer-related fertility concerns can have a significant impact on couple relationships. Psychological support from clinicians may facilitate couple coping, as well as help to address concerns about future relationships for un-partnered people with cancer.

Sexual Satisfaction in Fully Ambulatory People with Multiple Sclerosis: Does Disability Matter?

Primary sexual dysfunctions (SD) are a direct result of neurological changes that affect the sexual response. Secondary SD result from the symptoms that do not directly involve nervous pathways to the genital system, such as bladder and bowel problems, fatigue, spasticity, or muscle weakness. Tertiary SD are the result of disability-related psychosocial and cultural issues that can interfere with sexual feelings and experiences. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual satisfaction (SS) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) without significant mobility impairment and to estimate the influence of SD, the score on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), lowered mood, and stress coping strategies on SS. Methods. 76 PwMS with the EDSS score < 5.0 points were enrolled in the study. The subjects completed the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-19), and the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ). Results. The level of SS in PwMS was not significantly lower compared to that of the general population. It correlated with the primary, secondary, and tertiary SD and lowered mood. However, it did not correlate with disability measured by the EDSS. Conclusions. The level of SS in PwMS with the EDSS score below 5.0 points was not significantly lower. SS depended on SD, lowered mood, and stress coping style, and it was not significantly related to the level of disability in patients with the EDDS score below 5.0.

Breaking Hearts: Ethically Handling Transference and Countertransference in Therapy

This paper examines ethical principles and their application to erotic or romanticized transference and countertransference. Transference is identified as unconscious feelings of a client that are felt for another individual of significant importance such as a therapist. Countertransference describes the feelings a therapist may develop for clients they are working with throughout the course of therapy. Ethical principles that are explored consist of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, and justice. We explore how those principles relate to romantic or sexual feelings in therapy and discuss what therapists can do to appropriately and ethically handle those feelings in therapy.

Sexual Desire and Subjective Distress among Pornography Consumers

Clients are increasingly seeking professional help related to pornography viewing in the digital age. Given distress is a key reason clients seek help, the purpose of this study was to identify variables associated with it. Drawing from recent literature, we examined the roles of solitary sexual desire, moral incongruence, feelings of dysregulation, and shame-proneness in predicting subjective distress among consumers. Surveys were administered through Amazon Mechanical Turk to US adults (n = 559). Structural equation models supported moderated mediation, where the positive relationship between sexual desire and subjective distress was fully mediated by feelings of dysregulation, and the relationship between sexual desire and feelings of dysregulation was moderated by moral incongruence. Moral incongruence was the largest direct predictor of subjective distress, while shame-proneness was not significantly associated with it. This study points to targets for intervention research, reinforces findings that values play an integral role in how individuals interpret their viewing and whether they feel distressed, and suggests that values may impact how individuals interpret their sexual desire. Implications for practitioners are discussed, including the need for person-in-environment assessment and more holistic care than has traditionally been proposed in the sex addiction field.

Adolescents’ Perspective on Their Sexual Knowledge and the Role of School in Addressing Emotions in Sex Education: An Exploratory Analysis of Two School Types in Austria

ABSTRACT Sex education for adolescents should include building knowledge on the emotional, social and physical aspects of sexuality. This study aimed to find out how adolescents from two different school types perceived their own knowledge on sexual matters, the importance they placed on sex education in school, and how well they felt that emotional, social and physical issues were raised within the frame of sex education. A cross-sectional 74-item questionnaire survey was conducted among adolescents (n = 198, age 13–16 years) from two secondary schools and one polytechnic school in Austria. From the linear regression analyses, secondary school students felt more knowledgeable on sexual matters than polytechnic students (beta = −0.288, p = .005). Secondary school students had more knowledge on the biology of sexuality but were less informed of the emotional aspects and other topics masturbation [mean score (SD)] [2.42(1.24) vs 3.42(1.44); p < .001], forms of sexual contact [2.81(1.08) vs 3.54(1.22), p = .006] and dealing with love and sexual feelings in relationships [2.68(1.19) vs 3.33(2.60); p = .030] than polytechnic students. While teachers were considered important providers of sex education, a more varied and practical means of learning was desired. Sex education should allow for the interplay between fact and emotion using varied teaching and learning strategies.

Shame, sexuality, mental health and comics

ABSTRACT The author discusses how he found Comics, a medium historically steeped in feelings of shame and inferiority, to be the perfect medium to explore feelings of shame, sexuality and mental health through his graphic memoir, ‘Things to do in a Retirement Home Trailer Park … When You’re 29 an unemployed.’

The Sexual Mindfulness Project: An Initial Presentation of the Sexual and Relational Associations of Sexual Mindfulness

Little research has evaluated the associations of mindfulness training on couple romantic and sexual well-being and no research has examined the role of sexual mindfulness within an intervention. We introduced the Sexual Mindfulness Project (SMP) that addressed sexual relationships through daily mindfulness, sexual mindfulness (remaining aware and non-judgmental during sexual experiences), communication, and problem-solving skills which was taught in a structured intervention. We examined the effects of this program with committed couples (N = 5) who attended a two-session version of this project. We use mixed methods and examined themes from participant interviews and explored how sexual mindfulness in romantic and sexual relationships may prompt feelings of connection and intimacy. Qualitative results indicated improvement in individual, romantic, and sexual well-being. In addition, as appropriate, we integrate quantitative findings of change in sexual mindfulness and the other outcomes using retrospective pre-post design. We used a retrospective pre/post test to avoid reference frame bias, as sexual mindfulness is a skill that individuals may over-estimate on a pretest as participants know little about how to evaluate their sexual mindfulness. We found that the participants’ perception of the mechanism of change included their efforts to slow down, pay attention to their own sexual experience and/or feelings, communicate more effectively, and then address those feelings or thoughts with their partner in a non-judgmental, open, and accepting way.

Sexual Arousal Patterns of Mostly Heterosexual Men.

Mostly heterosexual men describe themselves as slightly bisexual, with predominant sexual attraction to women but occasional attraction to men. After "completely heterosexual," "mostly heterosexual" is the most common male sexual orientation, by self-report. However, self-reported bisexual feelings among men can diverge from patterns of genital arousal, an objective measure of sexual interest with high validity. We compared 49 mostly heterosexual and 50 completely heterosexual men's patterns of genital and subjective sexual arousal to male and female erotic stimuli. In addition, we compared these groups on relevant self-report measures pertaining to sexual feelings, identity, and behavior. Results supported increased bisexual arousal with respect to self-report and genital arousal pattern among the mostly heterosexual men, compared with the completely heterosexual men. Furthermore, mostly heterosexual men reported more childhood gender nonconformity, greater male sex partners, and less self-reported disgust or aversion to sex acts with men. "Mostly heterosexual" appears to be a gradation of male sexual orientation associated with unique genital arousal patterns, among other correlates.

Effects of sexual orientation-based bullying on feelings of loneliness and sleeping difficulty among Brazilian middle school students

ObjectiveTo investigate the extent to which sexual orientation-based bullying relates to self-reported feelings of loneliness and sleeping difficulty among Brazilian middle school students. MethodThis is a cross-sectional study using data from the 2015 PeNSE (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar), a survey designed to monitor the health of children and adolescents enrolled in the ninth grade in public and private Brazilian schools. Multiple linear regressions stratified by sex were used on a sample of 101,646 students, considering as reference students who had not experienced bullying, as well as students who had experienced other causes of bullying; a significance level of p<0.05 was accepted. ResultsWhen the reference group was composed of students who had not experienced bullying, the associations between sexual orientation-based bullying and feelings of loneliness and between sexual orientation-based bullying and sleeping difficulty were positive (p<0.05) for both male and female students, with magnitudes about twice as large as those found among those who reported having experienced other cause s of bullying. However, when the reference group was composed of students who had experienced other causes of bullying, only the association between sexual orientation-based bullying and feelings of loneliness was positive (p<0.05) for both male and female students. ConclusionThis study highlights that sexual orientation-based bullying is a predictor of feelings of loneliness.

Desire Thinking and Metacognition Associated with Dysregulated Sexuality

Dysregulated sexuality refers to sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are perceived as out of control and distressing. This study aimed to explore the relationships between desire thinking and metacognition about desire thinking in relation to dysregulated sexuality and craving. Approximately 1,042 participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. The results suggest that increased desire thinking and metacognition around desire thinking are significantly associated with dysregulated sexuality. Furthermore, the verbal perseveration aspect of desire thinking significantly predicted dysregulated sexuality after controlling for trait sexual desire. These findings support both the model of desire thinking and craving and the tri-phasic metacognitive model of addictive behavior. Despite study limitations, there is a need for further research in this area.

Impact of patient psoriasis on partner quality of life, sexuality and empathy feelings: a study in 183 couples.

The impact of psoriasis on quality of life (QoL), sexuality and empathy requires better understanding in patient-partner relationships. To evaluate the influence of psoriasis on partner QoL, presence of sexual dysfunction (SDy) in couples and empathy in partners of psoriasis patients. A total of 183 adult psoriasis patients and their partners participated in this observational, cross-sectional and non-comparative study. Severity of psoriasis was measured using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Patient QoL was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Short Form-12 (SF12). The impact of psoriasis on partner QoL was measured with the Family Pso and the SF12. Presence of SDy and empathy in partners were assessed using the Family Pso. Overall, 49.7% of the patients had moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patient psoriasis severity and patient QoL were correlated with partner psychological distress. The largest QoL impairment was observed in female patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The stronger QoL alteration observed in female psoriasis patients, compared to their partners, was not observed in male psoriasis patients vs. their partners. There was no relationship between partner QoL and patient age and duration of psoriasis. Most patients, but less than half of the partners, reported SDy with age being a being a significantly more important impacting factor than disease severity. Both psoriasis clinical severity and/or a significant impact on QoL were associated factors for SDy in male partners of psoriasis women, but not in female partners of psoriatic men. Reporting empathy was higher among young male partners of psoriasis patients. In both male and female partners, patient psoriasis clinical severity was not associated with empathy. Psoriasis impact on patient-partner QoL, sexuality and empathy should be considered more thoroughly by dermatologists when formulating treatment plans and making treatment decisions.

En Az Konuşulan En Çok Merak Edilen: Zihin Yetersizliği Olan Yetişkinlerde Cinsellik

Zihin yetersizliği olan bireylerin özellikle ergenlik döneminden itibaren en çok desteğe gereksinim duydukları ve ailelerin konuşmaya en fazla çekindiği konu cinselliktir. Cinsellik sosyo-kültürel normlardan etkilenen bir olgudur ve pek çok kültürde halen tabu olarak görülebilmektedir. Nitekim Türkiye’de de özel eğitim alanında en az konuşulan konulardan biridir. Bu nedenle ülkemizde zihin yetersizliği olan yetişkinlerin cinselliğine yönelik araştırmalar oldukça sınırlıdır. Türkiye alanyazınına katkı getirecek bu çalışmanın amacı alanyazında zihin yetersizliği olan yetişkinlerde cinsellik eğitimi kapsamında hangi becerilerin çalışıldığını ve bu bireylerin cinselliği nasıl algıladıklarını ortaya koymak, ilgili araştırma bulguları doğrultusunda zihin yetersizliği olan yetişkinlerin cinsellik eğitimine ve cinsel yaşamına ilişkin yürütülen araştırmalara ve uygulamalara yönelik öneriler geliştirmektir. Çalışma bir derleme çalışması olarak planlanmış olup, ilk olarak zihin yetersizliği olan yetişkinlerin cinsellik eğitimi kapsamında çalışılan becerilerin nasıl sınıflandırıldığı ve bu becerilerin cinsellik becerileriyle olan ilişkisi ortaya konmuştur. İkinci olarak araştırmalarda bu bireylerin cinselliği nasıl algıladıkları incelenmiş, cinsellik eğitiminin önemi ve bu süreçte karşılaştıkları sorunlar paylaşılmıştır. Son olarak araştırma bulguları ışığında zihin yetersizliği olan yetişkinlerin cinsel yaşamına ilişkin uygulamaya ve ileri araştırmalara yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur.