Sexual Pleasure Research Articles

Parental Sexual Socialization, Sexual Subjectivity, and Emotional Responses to Sexual Experiences among Adolescent Girls.

This study explored girls' sexual subjectivity as a pathway through which parental socialization influenced their emotions about past sexual experiences. A national online survey of 397 adolescent girls (Mage = 16.8 years) from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (33.0% Black, 25.7% Latina, 28.0% non-Hispanic White) assessed (1) parental messaging emphasizing relational, sex-positive, gendered sex role, abstinence-only, and sex-is-taboo discourses; (2) girls' sexual subjectivity including sexual body esteem, entitlement to sexual pleasure, and perceived sexual control; and (3) positive and negative emotional reactions to sexual experiences. Sexual subjectivity fully mediated the positive effect of relational messaging on positive emotional reactions and the negative effect on negative emotional reactions. Additionally, sexual subjectivity partially mediated the positive effect of gendered sex role messaging on negative emotional reactions. This study draws critical attention to placing the psychological aspects of girls' sense of their own sexuality and the emotional components of their sexual experience at the forefront of understanding the influence of parental sexual socialization on the sexual experiences of adolescent girls.

Healthy sexuality—not sexual health: for the sexual subject

The aim of this paper is to defend the emerging conceptualization of healthy sexuality (Bianchi in Figurations of Human Subjectivity: A Contribution to Second-Order Psychology. Springer, Berlin, 2020) against the traditional authoritative concept of sexual health as defined by the WHO. Becoming a sexual subject means following a sexual trajectory with episodes of one’s own bodily experiences, genital satisfaction, intimate attachment, acceptance of sexual identity, sexual pleasure, mutual sexual satisfaction and planned parenthood. In each of these episodes, the individual may experience feelings of pressure, fear, shame, pain and/or joy and pleasure. The extent to which the subject has a healthy sexuality depends on whether these feelings/emotions facilitate or inhibit healthy sexuality. The concept of healthy sexuality runs counter not only to quantitative statistical demographic measures of sexual health, but also to the existing arsenal of sexology questionnaires. Qualitative empirical research is being conducted into the facilitators and inhibitors of a healthy sexuality (in the first author’s PhD research).

“Something must kill a man”: Beliefs about condom use in prevention of Human Papilloma Virus among men at Kpong community

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent among sexually active individuals. A report by the Ghana Aids Commission highlights low condom usage among Ghana's sexually active youth. Despite this, there has been no exploration of views regarding condom use for preventing HPV infection. The purpose of the study was to examine the beliefs about condom use in preventing the human papillomavirus among men at Kpong community. MethodsThe study utilized a qualitative approach with an exploratory design, employing purposive sampling to select 40 participants. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed through content analysis. ResultsThe study produced three main themes and 8 subthemes. Despite most participants having used condoms before, primarily once (57.5 %) with a preference for “kiss condoms" (42.5 %). The primary reason for condom use was pregnancy prevention (45 %), instead of HPV infections (22.5 %). Most participants rarely used condoms, aiming to enhance sexual pleasure or assuming their partners were HPV-free. Some cited religious reasons, viewing condom use as sinful. ConclusionParticipants commonly do not use condoms to prevent HPV infections. Additionally, men have various religious and personal reasons for not using condoms to protect against HPV and other infections. This underscores the need for increased awareness of HPV transmission among men.

ПРИОРИТЕТЫ ВЫБОРА СРЕДСТВ КОНТРАЦЕПЦИИ СТУДЕНТКАМИ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА

Purpose: To determine the priorities of contraceptive choices of medical students depending on various factors. Materials and methods: 75 female students of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov participated in the study; mean age was 20,5 years, 77% were sexually active. Information was collected using a specially designed questionnaire that included questions about the characteristics of sexual life (duration, number of partners, frequency of partner changes, regularity of sex), methods of contraception and the reasons for their choice, diagnosis and prevention of STIs, the effect of contraception on the menstrual cycle and its characteristics, and sexual life. Pearson criterion at p≤0.05 was applied in data analysis. Female Sexuality Index (FSI) was assessed using The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Results: the predominant method of contraception choice among the respondents depending on sexual experience was the barrier method. With increasing sexual experience, the proportion of girls using interrupted intercourse increased and the proportion using hormonal contraception decreased. The predominant contraceptive method among girls who rarely change sexual partners was the condom, while girls with frequent changes in sexual partners preferred to use the standard day method. The reasons for choosing a contraceptive method were the fear of unwanted pregnancy, simplicity and ease of use of the method, and the lack of impact on sexual pleasure. The vast majority of all respondents were primarily afraid of HIV infection, syphilis, and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Girls using hormonal contraception were primarily guided by a doctor's prescription when choosing a method. The majority in this group had a positive effect of the method on the menstrual cycle and a decrease in pain in the mammary glands was observed with the start of contraception. The maximum index of female sexuality was found in the groups of girls using spermicides and the standard days method, and the lowest - in female students not using contraception. Conclusion: barrier and natural methods of contraception were the priority of choice for most of the respondents.

Ultrasound-guided staging and reversal of female genital mutilation.

FGM/C is common, effecting over 200 million women worldwide and has substantial associated morbidity. We seek improving the reversal procedure using ultrasound imaging. The use of peri- and intraoperative ultrasound imaging for reconstructive surgery following FGM/C for staging and surgical planning, with focus on the clitoral structures and blood flow. This is a case series of patients with FGM/C who were evaluated and underwent reconstructive surgical management at a single institution between 2018 and 2022. Ultrasound examination with Doppler imaging was performed. The electronic medical record was queried for data regarding patient characteristics, examination and ultrasound findings, and surgical and postoperative course. Seven patients are described in this case series who sustained the FGM/C with classifications ranging from Ia to IIIb. The primary complaints were dyspareunia or apareunia. Six of seven (86%) reported anorgasmia. Four of seven (57%) had prior vaginal deliveries, and one of seven (14%) was delivered only by cesarean sections, two of seven (29%) have not been able to have intercourse. Ultrasound examination was utilized to facilitate recognition of the anatomic structures during the reconstruction, and Doppler was used to evaluate the clitoral blood flow. Doppler was useful to delineate clitoral tissues from a closely involved periclitoral inclusion cyst, aiding in surgical excision while minimizing clitoral vascular or nerve injury. Postoperative anatomical restoration, sexual function, and alleviation of dyspareunia were excellent. None of the patients reported decreased sexual pleasure postoperatively. Ultrasound imaging with Doppler can be utilized to facilitate personalized approaches to optimize both anatomical and functional results in cases of genital reconstruction.

‘Does this hurt?’: feminism, pain and the problem of reification

Feminist debates around sex have often revolved around the vexed question of whether women can achieve genuine pleasure under patriarchy. Some ‘sex-negative’ feminists have claimed that the entire debate around ‘pleasure under patriarchy’ rests on an ontological mistake: when women say that they experience sexual pleasure with men, what they mean by ‘pleasure’ is actually pain. On this view, pain is assumed to have an objective existence regardless of whatever the subject is experiencing. Positing such a gap between ‘feeling pain’ as a subjective state of affairs and ‘being in pain’ as an objective fact presupposes a ‘detectivist’ theory of subjectivity, whereby the subject is taken to relate to her pain as a reified object. Examining how detectivism has haunted different feminist traditions – from 1970s feminist consciousness-raising and MacKinnon's anti-sex feminism, to contemporary feminist critiques of liberal consent – I argue that a detectivist theory of subjectivity limits the critical horizon of a feminist politics of pain: it ends up politicising marginalised pain only at the cost of falsifying the subjective nature of pain itself.

The role of sexual partner in women's seeking for labiaplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The primary reasons for labiaplasty usually revolve around aesthetic, sexual, and functional concerns. Upon delving deeper into these issues, it becomes apparent that sexual partners play a controversial role in influencing women's decisions to undergo surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sexual partners on women's choices to pursue labiaplasty. A comprehensive search was conducted across electronic databases covering the period from January 2000 to February 2024. After removing duplicates, a total of 931 articles were retrieved by searching keywords in titles and abstracts. The meta-analysis revealed that 36.7% of women who sought labiaplasty cited their partners' negative comments as a factor influencing their decision. After applying the eligibility criteria and excluding irrelevant articles, a total of 12 articles involving 962 participants were included in the analysis. With the exception of 2 articles, the majority of the studies suggested a discernible influence of male partners on women's decisions to seek labiaplasty. Frequently, sexual partners are not the primary decision makers, nor do they exert significant pressure when it comes to seeking labiaplasty. In certain instances, women seeking labiaplasty acknowledged that their sexual partners did influence their decisions, either by making disparaging comments about their genitalia or by directly pressuring or requesting them to undergo labiaplasty. Additionally, women might opt for labiaplasty out of fear of their partner's negative remarks or to enhance sexual pleasure for their partners. For a more accurate result, a meta-analysis was conducted noting a considerable heterogeneity. The findings of this study can be applied in prelabiaplasty counseling sessions to acknowledge and explore the role of the sexual partner in women's decision making. This study stands as the inaugural systematic review examining the impact of sexual partners on women seeking labiaplasty, encompassing all original studies exploring the role of the sexual partner. However, a notable limitation lies in the varied interpretations of the sexual partner's role, that the heterogeneous nature of these interpretations poses a challenge to providing a more precise answer through meta-analysis. Based on the findings of this systematic review, it is evident that sexual partners exert multifaceted influences on women's decisions to seek labiaplasty. While not serving as the primary decision makers, women opt for labiaplasty with the aim of enhancing attractiveness in sexual relationships and mitigating potential negative comments from their partners.

Clinical application of the Declaration on Sexual Pleasure of the World Association for Sexual Health.

Clinical application of the Declaration on Sexual Pleasure of the World Association for Sexual Health.

Where’s the Joy in That? Sexual Minority College Students Report Lower Physical Activity Engagement and Enjoyment Compared to Heterosexual Students

ABSTRACT Sexual minority (e.g. non-heterosexual) individuals are at greater risk for negative health outcomes, often linked to inadequate physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to assess PA levels and PA enjoyment among college students, by sexual orientation. Data were collected from a volunteer sample of college students enrolled in general health and wellness courses offered at a large, Northeastern U.S. university via an online survey. Participants self-reported demographic information, PA levels using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and PA enjoyment using a 7-item Physical Activity Enjoyment scale (PACES). Among participants (n = 1471), independent sample t-tests showed that sexual minority (SM) students reported significantly lower mean MET-mins/week of MPA (M Heterosexual = 568.09 ± 488.12 vs. M Sexual minority = 469.95 ± 471.51; p = .006) and VPA (M Heterosexual = 1089.54 ± 1110.64 vs. M Sexual Minority = 628.93 ± 942.78; p < .001), ST days/week (M Heterosexual = 1.93 ± 1.90 vs. M Sexual Minority = 1.00 ± 1.60; p < .001), and reported lower total PACES score (M Heterosexual = 7.80 ± 1.92 vs. M Sexual Minority = 6.87 ± 2.14; p < .001) compared to heterosexual students. Bootstrap mediation analyses with 5000 samples revealed that PACES has direct and indirect mediation effects on the association between sexual orientation status and MET-mins/week of MPA and VPA, and ST days/week. The current findings provide evidence of the underlying mechanisms linked to the physical activity disparities experienced by SM college students compared to heterosexual students. Additionally, PACES can serve as a facilitator to promote PA engagement among SM students. These findings can inform future intervention work to target PA enjoyment for meaningful behavior change.

A two-tool assessment of the quality of life of patients with breast cancer using generic and disease-specific tools in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Assessing the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer (BC) patients using a triangulation of tools is crucial for understanding their well-being and tailoring specific interventions to improve their overall experience. The study assessed the QoL of BC patients using a combination of generic and disease-specific validated questionnaires. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional design among BC patients attending the Oncology clinic in a Nigerian teaching hospital. The 23-item EORTC-BR23 questionnaire and the 15-item HRQoL 15D questionnaire were provided to consenting eligible respondents for data collection. Descriptive (e.g., frequency, percentages, mean, median, etc.) and inferential (T-test and one-way ANOVA) statistical analyses were conducted on the cleaned data, with significant p values set at less than 0.05. A total of 60 female BC patients participated in the study. Respondents that were aged 41-50 years and 50-60 years were 20 (33.3%) and 19 (31.7%) respectively. Patients who were diagnosed with BC one year ago before the study were 22 (39.3%) with 51 (85%) reporting no positive family history of BC. Patients who had undergone surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy were 52 (86.7%), 27 (45.0%), 14 (24.1%), and 54 (90%) respectively. The patients scored 30.00 ± 4.67% and 72.36 ± 2.93% for future perspective and body image, respectively, in the functional scales of the EORTC-BR23 with a maximum possible score of 100%. On the symptom scale, they scored 47.46 ± 2.52% and 63.40 ± 5.03% for side effects of therapy and being upset about hair loss, respectively. The patients' quality of life utility score in the 15-D tool was 0.79 ± 0.02. With p values less than 0.005, age, time since diagnosis, and cancer stage were influential determinants of patients' QoL. The QoL of the participants based on the HRQoL-15D was determined to be high. For the EORTC-BR23, respondents reported high quality of life for body image and sexual function but low quality of life for both sexual enjoyment and future perspective in terms of the functional scale. The symptom scale of EORTC-BR23 showed high symptoms for only the domain of upset by hair loss resulting in low QoL. Socio-demographic factor that affects the QoL of BC patients were age, number of years since diagnosis and stage of BC.

Pseudoephedrine for ejaculatory dysfunction after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular cancer.

To assess the impact of ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD; failure of emission or retrograde ejaculation) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testicular cancer and explore the efficacy of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as treatment. In a single arm, phase II trial, patients at ≥6 months after RPLND were invited to complete patient-reported outcome measures (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] quality of life questionnaire [QLQ]-30-item core, EORTC QLQ-testicular cancer-26, and Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory) evaluating HRQoL and sexual function in follow-up (ACTRN12622000537752/12622000542796). If EjD was reported, post-ejaculatory urine ± semen analysis was undertaken. In eligible patients, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg was administered orally every 6 h for six doses. The primary endpoint was sperm count >39 million sperm/ejaculate (>5th centile) following treatment. The trial was powered to detect a clinically relevant 36% achieving sperm count of >39 million sperm/ejaculate. Secondary endpoints included semen volume >1.5 mL, total motile sperm count, safety, and HRQoL impacts. Of the 58 patients enrolled, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 35 (29-41) years, with a median (IQR) of 37 (18-60) months from RPLND. EjD was reported in 33 (57%), including 27/52 (52%) receiving follow-up at our centre. There were no differences in global HRQoL; however, role functioning (P = 0.045), sexual problems (P < 0.005), and sexual enjoyment (P = 0.005) was poorer if EjD was present. In all, 24/33 (73%) patients with EjD consented to pseudoephedrine treatment. Of 22 evaluable patients, four (18%) achieved a sperm count of >39 million/ejaculate (P = 0.20), and four (18%) had a semen volume of >1.5 mL (P = 0.20). There was a mean increase of 105 million sperm/ejaculate (P = 0.051) and 1.47 mL increase in semen volume (P = 0.01). No safety concerns arose. Ejaculatory dysfunction is common after RPLND but did not impact global HRQoL in our cohort. Pseudoephedrine improved EjD for some; however, its efficacy was lower than expected. Pseudoephedrine may be considered on an individualised basis.

Immediate Psychological Implications of Risk-Reducing Mastectomies in Women With Increased Risk of Breast Cancer: A Comparative Study

BackgroundRisk-reducing mastectomy is recommended for high-risk patients but may have significant psychological consequences. This study aimed to determine the differences in anxiety, depressive symptomatology, body image and quality of life in women with an increased risk of breast cancer immediately before and after undergoing risk-reducing mastectomy. MethodsEighty-eight women with an increased risk of breast cancer due to BRCA1/2 mutations or a previous cancer diagnosis participated in this study. Instruments used were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Body Image Scale and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Breast 23, administered 15-30 days before and after surgery. ResultsFollowing surgery, there was an immediate and significant worsening in anxiety, depressive symptomatology and body image. There was a significant deterioration in global, physical, role, and social functioning, as well as in body image and sexual enjoyment scales. Additionally, there were increases in fatigue, nausea and vomiting, constipation, dyspnoea, insomnia, appetite loss, perceived financial difficulties, pain, systemic therapy side effects, and breast and arm symptoms. However, there was an improvement in future perspective. These changes occurred independently of whether participants had a cancer diagnosis or BRCA1/2 mutation. ConclusionRisk-reducing mastectomies have immediate psychological consequences. While these procedures improve future health perspective, they increase anxiety and depressive symptomatology and decrease body image and quality of life, regardless of cancer diagnosis or BRCA1/2 mutation. These findings highlight the psychological consequences of such surgical procedures, emphasizing the need for comprehensive psychological interventions both before and after surgery.

Cripping and queering gender-based violence prevention: bridging disability justice, queer joy, and consent education

Although frequently relegated to the periphery in conversations about gender-based violence prevention, the disabling impacts of traumatised subjectivity both affect survivors’ abilities to fully participate in sex and contribute to survivors being more than twice as likely to be sexually (re)victimised compared to peers without trauma histories. In this paper, we seek to crip and queer approaches to gender-based violence prevention, particularly consent education, by learning from 2SLGBTQ+ and disabled trauma survivors’ affective experiences of queer, crip sexual joy and the radically messy ways in which they establish their own care networks for deeply pleasurable sex through the principles of disability justice. Refusing pathologising understandings of survivors as those who need to be cured, we highlight traumatised subjectivity as emblematic of the ambiguity and ambivalence inherent in sex as well as the possibilities for caring, consensual sex that moves beyond the concept of consent employed in colonial, neoliberal capitalist societies’ binary (Yes/No) consent laws. Drawing on the work of crip and queer theorists such as Mia Mingus, Alison Kafer, Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha, and J. Logan Smilges, we reveal how disability justice principles, such as interdependence, collective access, and access intimacy, offer transformative understandings for anti-violence efforts.

Women’s Pornography Use Patterns and Sexuality Education in U.S. Public Schools

This study investigated the relationship between sexuality education in U.S. public schools and women's pornography use. Utilizing quantitative methods, we examined a sample of women attending U.S. public schools who reported regular pornography use. Results revealed that, regardless of the type of sexuality education received, women exhibited similar rates of pornography use, with 60% reporting its use. A substantial portion (69%) of the women began using pornography during childhood or adolescence. Women who received abstinence only sexuality education reported higher frequencies of pornography use compared to their comprehensive sexuality education counterparts. About 79% of women using pornography perceived it as a source of sexuality learning, especially regarding sexual pleasure. However, they expressed reluctance in using pornography for sexual education and did not consider it a preferred method for learning about sexuality. The findings suggest the need for comprehensive sexuality education that addresses essential topics, such as sexual pleasure and sexual script development, to cater to women’s diverse learning needs, ideally taught by parents or primary caregivers, but may be necessary for public education in the absence of parental instruction. Policymakers and educators should bridge these gaps to develop more effective sexuality education curricula. This study contributes valuable insights, highlighting the importance of an inclusive approach to sexuality education in U.S. public schools. Future research should explore the implications of different sexuality education approaches on women's sexual development and well-being, emphasizing comprehensive education to foster healthy sexual behaviors among women.

“I Think I Just like Having Sex”: A Qualitative Study of Sexual Assault Survivors and Their Sexual Pleasure

“I Think I Just like Having Sex”: A Qualitative Study of Sexual Assault Survivors and Their Sexual Pleasure

Cystoscopic extraction of a wired earphone from male urinary bladder

Abstract A foreign body in the urinary bladder is an uncommon urological emergency, resulting from scenarios such as iatrogenic injuries, self-insertion for pleasure, sexual abuse, assault, and migration from the adjacent sites. Self-inserted urinary bladder foreign bodies for sexual enjoyment pose a substantial issue for clinicians due to their difficulty in the diagnosis and therapy. Most patients were admitted late owing to embarrassment, resulting in severe short-and long-term consequences. This case study describes the intriguing presentation of a 57-year-old male who came to the surgery outpatient department 17 days after experiencing burning when urinating along with blood and dysuria. Wire-like radiodensities in the soft tissues of the pelvis were seen on an X-ray; their morphology was described as that of an earphone wire. The wired earphone foreign body was removed using a cystoscopy procedure. The patient’s hospital stay was minimal, and he was discharged with antibiotics and analgesics.

A prospective study to assess the quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer patients and factors affecting quality of life

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women globally, with an incidence rate of 11.7 %, surpassing lung cancer as the most frequently diagnosed cancer. In India, incidence rates begin to increase in the early thirties, peaking between the ages of 50 and 64. Historically, the female population has harbored significant fear towards this particular cancer due to the social stigma associated with the diagnosis. It not only poses a challenge to their self-image but also affects their sexual function, consequently having a negative impact on their psychological well-being. Recent advancements in treatment delivery techniques have decreased breast cancer mortality and enhanced disease-free survival rates. However, ensuring a good quality of life (QOL) remains a challenge. This study was conducted to assess the QOL of breast cancer patients and the factors influencing it. MaterialsPatients with histopathological proven malignancy of breast carcinoma aged above 18 years who were registered in our radiotherapy department were included in this cross-sectional study. Patient related, disease related and treatment related parameters were noted. QOL survey instruments used were EORTC-QLQ-C30 version 3.0, EORTC-QLQ-BR23. ResultsA total of 160 patients registered in our department from November 2019 to November 2022 were included in this study. The young breast (<45 years) cancer patients showed comparable QOL scores with older patients on most symptomatic and functional scales. The patients with an advanced disease had lowest scores on all functional scales but was not statistically significant. Breast conserving surgery (BCS) correlated very well with better functioning scores in our study though it did not achieve statistical significance. Patients undergoing BCS seemed more confident about their future prospectives and had better sexual enjoyment score. People living in urban area scored higher in both scales. ConclusionThis study indicates that QOL of breast cancer patients is closely linked to clinical and sociodemographic factors. Providing financial and psychological support to patients diagnosed with breast cancer may further enhance their QOL.

Supporting practitioners to talk about sexual wellness and pleasure during radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer

IntroductionRadiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancer has significant negative effects on sexual wellness and pleasure (1–3). Patients undergoing radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers have more sexual dysfunction and experience more sexual and depressive symptoms than those who undergo surgery alone (4). The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a crucial part of health and wellbeing and recognizes the importance of positive and respectful approaches to sexuality, alongside safe and pleasurable sexual experiences free from violence and coercion (5). MethodsTaking a sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure, this project aimed to support practitioners to have improved and impactful conversations with people receiving radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancers. A series of three professional development workshops were held to explore language, unpack assumptions and develop key competencies for practitioners. A fourth workshop involved co-development of resources for use by other practitioners. ResultsThe group united, sharing insights, learning, and developing practices through reflection developing critical awareness about damaging silences around sexual wellness and pleasure. Co-created resources included conversation cards and a poster. ConclusionThe project aimed to build and extend research findings to develop practitioner skills in supporting sexual wellness and pleasure for people receiving gynae-radiotherapy. The study shows the benefits of discussing norms and harms associated with biomedically focused conversations in gynae-radiotherapy to acknowledge diversity and validate concerns about sexual wellbeing and pleasure. Implications for practiceA sex critical approach to sexual wellness and pleasure should be considered a core principle of care for patients during their treatment for gynaecological cancers. Conversations are a key (free) resource within the practitioner-patient relationship that can address and improve patients’ psychosocial wellbeing.

Why Do People Watch Pornography? Cross-Cultural Validation of the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (PUMS) and Its Short Form (PUMS-8)

ABSTRACT Motivations for pornography use may vary across gender identities, sexual orientations, and geographical regions, warranting examination to promote individual and public health. The aims of this study were to validate the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (PUMS) in a diverse, multicultural sample, and develop a short form (PUMS-8) that can assess a wide range of pornography use motivations. Using data from 42 countries (N = 75,117; Mage = 32.07; SDage = 12.37), enabled us to thoroughly evaluate the dimensionality, validity, and reliability of the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (PUMS), leading to the development of the more concise PUMS-8 short scale. Additionally, language-, nationality-, gender-, and sexual-orientation-based measurement invariance tests were conducted to test the comparability across groups. Both the PUMS and the PUMS-8 assess eight pornography use motivations, and both demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Sexual Pleasure emerged as the most frequent motivation for pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations, while differences were observed concerning other motivations (e.g. self-exploration was more prevalent among gender-diverse individuals than men or women). The motivational background of pornography use showed high similarity in the examined countries. Both the PUMS and the PUMS-8 are reliable and valid measurement tools to assess different types of motivations for pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations. Both scales are recommended for use in research and clinical settings.

Safety and Pleasure Motives Determine Perceived Risks and Rewards in Casual Sex

AbstractPeople differ in their predispositions to value safety maintenance (i.e., disease prevention regulatory focus) or pleasure pursuit (i.e., pleasure promotion regulatory focus). Extending recent research, results of a cross-sectional study with participants living in Portugal and Spain (N = 770) showed that these individual differences resulted in a trade-off between potential health risks and pleasure rewards in sexual practices and experiences with casual partners. Specifically, people who were more focused on promotion (vs. prevention) reported riskier and more unrestricted sexual activities (more frequent condomless sex activities; more casual partners) and experienced more positive sexual outcomes (more sexual satisfaction; more positive and less negative affect related to condomless sex). This pattern of results remained the same after controlling for country differences, suggesting the robustness of our findings across different cultural contexts. Our study shows the complexity of sexual decisions and align with our reasoning that prevention-focused people tend to prioritize health safety, whereas promotion-focused people tend to prioritize sexual pleasure. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.