Sexology Research Articles

Association for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness Exemplary Practices for Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness

In this document, we present exemplary practices for counseling sexology and sexual wellness. These professional guidelines advance practice, research, and education in sexuality and sexual health within the counseling profession. The exemplary practices are grounded in critical theories to center the experiences of diverse clients, contextualize the role of culture, environment, and history in shaping our sexualities, and celebrate varied ways of being. We detail 12 exemplary practice areas for sexuality counseling across the following domains: a) attitudes, beliefs, & understanding of historical influences; b) knowledge; c) counseling skills; d) action and advocacy; and e) counselor education and supervision.

Psychological Techniques for Counselling Individuals on Sexual Attitudes and Discrimination

The importance of studying the psychology of sexuality and exploring counselling techniques for individuals dealing with sexual attitudes and discrimination is steadily growing on a global scale. In recent years, democratic reforms, the rise of the feminist movement, increased communication freedom between men and women, the surge of research across various scientific disciplines, and other factors have all contributed to the growing public interest in this branch of sexology. The present era is shaping new laws and patterns, which are still being defined within today’s science. Emerging are new types, categories, subdivisions, and fields that form the structural framework of this scientific field. The categories within the psychology of sexuality are regularly reassessed. Today, the development of sexology as a scientific field demands focused attention from both the scientific community and the state. This includes the publication of specialized literature, the training of university-level educators, the creation of master’s programmes, and the formal recognition of the psychologist-sexologist profession (psychologist-consultant in sexology), along with the opportunity to defend master’s and doctoral theses in this discipline. This reflects the dual challenge of clearly defining the scope of the psychology of sexuality while emphasizing the need for psychologists to be actively involved in sexology. The article highlights the psychologist’s role within sexological support services, presents various models of psychological counselling for individuals facing sexual attitude issues and discrimination, and outlines ethical principles in psychological counselling.

Laboratory Sex Research: Perceptions of the Ace Community

ABSTRACT Asexuality is a sexual orientation centered around low or absent sexual attraction. Despite the growth of empirical scholarship on asexuality, laboratory sex research with asexual individuals remains significantly underutilized. As such, we conducted a qualitative survey aimed at examining asexual individuals’ perceptions of laboratory sex research as well as their perspectives/experiences on participation. Reflexive thematic analysis of 412 responses revealed 4 themes and 10 sub-themes focused on mapping the domain of asexuality, participants’ trust, distrust and ambivalence toward laboratory sex research, and developing best practices for overcoming challenges with asexual individuals. A large proportion of asexual individuals emphasized concerns related to the potential medicalization and pathologization of asexuality, with 34.6% exhibiting their unwillingness to participate. Nonetheless, 41.7% of asexual individuals expressed a desire to take part in laboratory sexuality studies. These findings indicate a strong interest in laboratory sex research, driven by the lack of knowledge about ace sexual functioning. To further improve ace individuals´ engagement and experience in such studies, a set of participant-driven recommendations was presented. As such, this study highlights the importance of grounding future laboratory sex research with asexual individuals in ethical and reliable procedures.

Utilising sandplay therapy to support children with intellectual disabilities and complex mental health needs in China’s child welfare institutions: a case study

Sandplay therapy (SPT) has demonstrated significant effectiveness for children with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other challenges. This case study explores its impact on emotional regulation, sexual psychology, and behavior in orphaned children with significant functional limitations residing in Chinese welfare institutions. Utilizing Jungian psychology, the child’s development was assessed through 26 SPT sessions and four interviews with simulated family members. The findings showed improvements in emotional functioning, self-care capabilities, and the management of sexual energy and emotions. Furthermore, interpersonal relationships within the simulated family improved, thereby achieving the counseling goals. SPT, with its focus on the unconscious and symbolic representation, offers unique advantages in addressing the emotional and behavioral challenges experienced by children with severe functional impairments in welfare environments.

Extending sexual scripting theory through critical discursive psychology: An analytical approach to explore the performance of sexual identities

Sexual scripting theory, a widely used tool in sexuality research, was originally developed by Gagnon and Simon to illuminate the social nature of sexual practices and identity construction. Later, they sought to develop the theory further to align with a social constructionist perspective. However, vestiges of individualism and cognitivism haunt sexual scripting theory largely due to the use of the symbolic interactionist concept of performance. To address this, we draw on the performance–performativity approach in critical discursive psychology that develops the notion of performance from a discursive perspective and offers a way of extending sexual scripting theory that offers a truly social explication of sexual identity construction. We provide a practical illustration of this extended theorising, drawing on data from a project about young people’s online engagement with pornography. We demonstrate how developing the notion of sexual scripts as discursive resources that enable the performance of sexual identities allows us to illuminate the social and situated nature of identity construction. This framework enhances understanding of the process of sexual identity construction and provides a valuable tool for studying how broader sexual scripts that are sociohistorically specific provide a scaffolding for the ways an individual can construct sexual identities. Overall, this paper offers a valuable contribution to discursive scholarship in psychology by presenting a nuanced analytical framework that coheres with a constructionist, performative view of identity.

Exploring midwives' training needs and preferences for providing sexual health education for pregnant women: a mixed-methods study.

Background Numerous studies highlight a common inadequacy among midwives in addressing sexuality and sexual health issues in pregnant women. These findings underscore the crucial need for sexual health education for midwives. Nevertheless, the specific training needs and preferences regarding sexual health education for pregnant women among midwives remain largely unexplored in existing literature. The aim of this study was to explore midwives' training needs and preferences for providing sexual health education for pregnant women. Methods The research employed a mixed-methods, institution-based cross-sectional study design conducted from July to August 2021. Convenience sampling was applied for quantitative research, while purposive sampling was utilised for the qualitative component. Midwives from 19 hospitals in Guangdong Province were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey addressing training needs and preferences for sexual health education for pregnant women among midwives. Qualitative data analysis was performed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 462 midwives participated in the quantitative study, while 12 skilled midwives were involved in the qualitative component. A significant majority (82.5%) of midwives expressed a strong desire to engage in sexual health education. Online education emerged as the preferred mode of training among participants. Key areas of interest included reproductive health, sexual psychology, sex sociology, and education methods, underscoring a consistent demand for comprehensive sexual health education within the midwifery community. Conclusions Our study emphasises the pressing need for enhanced sexual health education for midwives and explores their preferences for future training.

A Leisure Approach to Sex in Research

A Leisure Approach to Sex in Research

Has COVID-19 affected the publication productivity of neurosurgeons in UK and Republic of Ireland? A bibliometric analysis

Background Our aim was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the publication productivity of neurosurgeons in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Methods Using bibliometric data we quantified and analysed the academic output of neurosurgeons in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, between two time periods i.e., January 2017 to December 2019 and January 2020 to March 2022, as a representative capture of the academic climate before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The consultant neurosurgeons were grouped according to their departments, title, sex, subspecialities and additional research qualifications. Using data charts on Scopus author directory, the total number of publications, citations and h-indices of each neurosurgeon were obtained over the two time periods. The median and mean of these 3 parameters were computed and the median values were analysed and tested for significance using a Mann Whitney-U test according to the groups. Results Our analysis conveyed a statistically significant increase (2440 publications and between January 2020 and March 2022 there were 2548 publications p<0.05) in the total number of publications after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean number of citations (mean 55.24 vs 57.01, p<0.05), after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend was observed in both sexes, in authors without an additional MD/PhD and in authors who sub-specialized in neuro-oncology. Overall, there was a significant decrease in H-index after the start of the pandemic compared to before (median h-index:1.00 and 2.00; mean h-index:1.8 and 3.4 respectively). Conclusions There appears to be an apparent increase in total number of publications after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most authors have registered a reduction in citations and h-indices, suggesting a lower impact and unequal distribution of the abovementioned increase.

World Society, Women Authors, and the Expansion of Feminist, Gender, Sex, and Sexuality (FGSS) Research in Comparative Education, 1957–2010

World Society, Women Authors, and the Expansion of Feminist, Gender, Sex, and Sexuality (FGSS) Research in Comparative Education, 1957–2010

From the U.S. to Denmark and Beyond: It’s Time to Reimagine the Use of Control Variables in Observational Research

ABSTRACT Methodologists from a variety of social and behavioral sciences have called attention to misunderstandings, misclassifications, and misapplications of third variable “controls” in observational research. We are unaware, however, of a comprehensive discussion of these issues in the sexological literature. In this article, we attempt to detail several of the more important potential pitfalls within the context of a case study commentary on a recent Journal of Sex Research inquiry into Danish persons’ pornography use, sexual satisfaction, and sexual behavior. We emphasize that our own (still limited) edification came only through personal error and chart an optimistic path forward wherein the current state of practice can be transformed into theoretical progress and innovation.

Variation in Demographics, Hospital, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty According to Biological Sex

BackgroundThe effect of biological sex on the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. Accounting for biological sex in research is crucial for reproducibility and accuracy. Average combined data may mask sex-related variation and obscure clinically relevant differences in outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate hospital and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after THA by biological sex to elucidate differences and ultimately provide more equitable care. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing primary THA at a single large academic center between January 2013 and August 2020. Demographics, operative variables, hospital outcomes, and PROMs were compared between men and women patients. The PROMs included preoperative, 6-weeks, 6-months, and 1-year Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Visual Analog Scale, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement, University of California, Los Angeles, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System mental and physical scores, as well as satisfaction scores. ResultsA total of 6,418 patients were included (55% women). Women were older (P < .001), had a lower body mass index (P < .001), and were more likely to have public insurance (P < .001). Fewer women were discharged to home or self-care (P < .001). Women had higher rates of cementation (P < .001) and fracture within 90 days (P < .001), and these associations remained significant with adjusted multivariable analyses. Women had significantly higher pain and lower functional scores preoperatively; postoperatively, most PROMs were equivalent. ConclusionsImportant differences were observed in several areas. Demographic parameters differed, and a variable effect of biological sex was observed on surgical and hospital outcomes. Women had an increased incidence of cemented femoral components (indicated for osteoporotic bone) and postoperative fractures. Women’s PROMs demonstrated globally lower functional scores and higher pain preoperatively. Differences attributed to sex should continue to be investigated and accounted for in risk-stratification models. Future studies are needed to elucidate the underlying causes of observed biological sex differences and are essential for equitable arthroplasty care.

Positive sexuality, relationship satisfaction, and health: a network analysis.

Positive sexuality, defined as the happiness and fulfillment individuals derive from their sexual experiences, expressions, and behaviors, has been linked to relationship satisfaction and health. However, the intricate associations between positive sexuality and relationship functioning and health indicators have rarely been explored from a network perspective. This approach, by analyzing the interconnections among these factors within a broader system, can offer insights into complex dynamics and identify key variables for targeted interventions. The present study applied network analysis to uncover interconnections between positive sexuality, relationship satisfaction, and health indicators, highlight the most relevant variables and explore potential gender-based differences in a sample of 992 partnered individuals (51% women, aged 18-71 years). Networks were estimated via Gaussian Graphical Models, and network comparison test was used to compare men and women. Results indicated that variables related to positive sexuality were more highly interconnected than the rest of the network. There were small-to-negligible connections between positive sexuality and relationship satisfaction variables, both of which had negligible or no connections with health. The network was globally invariant across gender, though a few connections were gender-specific. The most important variables, regardless of gender, related to pleasurable feelings during sexual intercourse. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing positive sexual experiences within intimate relationships and have implications for research and clinical practice in positive sexuality.

Reproductive health education and early sexual behavior prevention assistance for Madrasah Aliyah students in Bandung

Health reproduction knowledge is a crucial factor in preventing acts of early sexual behavior. Early sexual behavior is reflected in many ways, from attraction to different sexes to building a relationship and making physical contact. Adequate knowledge of sexuality in teenagers especially in health reproduction would prevent teenagers from acting in early sexual behavior. This activity aims to increase knowledge about the health of reproductive organs and the prevention of early sexual intercourse among Madrasah Aliyah students. The method used is education regarding the health of reproductive organs, pre-marital sexual psychology, and social jurisprudence approaches. All material is presented interestingly and interactively. This activity found that 63 percent of the participants had previous knowledge of this topic. More than 50 percent of respondents were students, and students had quite good knowledge about reproductive health. Madrasah Aliyah students already have sufficient knowledge about reproductive health, but it has not yet been seen whether it is enough to prevent students from premature sexual behavior. However, we do not have any data regarding the act of early sexual behavior among respondents or how knowledge in health reproduction would relate to the act of early sexual behavior.

Cardiovascular and physiological risk factors in women at mid-life and beyond.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. After menopause, sex-specific and gender-specific factors may play an important role in increasing CVD risk, with changes in sex hormones, body fat distribution, lipid and metabolic profile, and structural and functional vascular modifications. Premature and early-onset menopause are detrimental to cardiovascular health due to the early cessation of the protective effect of endogenous estrogen. An independent association of menopause with an increased risk of CVD has been documented in early menopause (<45 years). Sex-related differences are relevant in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; different enzyme formations, drug compatibility, efficacy, and side effects vary for different sexes. Despite some progress in sex and gender research in CVD, disparities remain. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is available at mid-life for symptoms of menopause and may impact cardiovascular risk. Taken early, MHT may reduce CVD morbimortality. However, this is balanced against the risk of increased thrombosis. This paper reviews physiologic changes that contribute to cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women and discusses clinical implications. Specifically, it explores the atheroprotective effects of estrogen and MHT and the associations between menopause with lipid levels, hypertension, body composition, and diabetes for women at mid-life and beyond.

Low on the Kinsey scale: Homosexuality in Swedish and Finnish sex research, 1960s–1990s

This article addresses the history of sociological sex research and its reception in Sweden and Finland. It describes the background and implementation of the first study in Sweden in 1967, and how the methodology of this study was adopted in Finland in 1971. Both of these studies were followed up in the 1990s with surveys that documented the changes in sexuality, 1992 in Finland and 1996 in Sweden. As the studies were labelled ‘Kinsey studies’ of their respective countries, the article examines the effect that the work of Alfred Kinsey's research group had on them. In particular, the article pays attention to the role of homosexuality in the studies and their reception, both in the mainstream media and in lesbian and gay organizations’ magazines. The article argues that, even though the studies recognized their position on the continuum of sex research stemming from Kinsey's work, they did not have a similar role in normalizing homosexuality. On the contrary, the studies showed diminishingly small numbers of homosexual respondents, even in the 1990s, when lesbian and gay rights were rapidly developing, and the studies were used to argue against equality and minority rights.

A review of published studies on virtual reality in sexuality research.

Virtual reality (VR) technology contributes to greater approach of methodological safety to make ecological validity more feasible and a growing interest in sexuality behaviors. The aim of this study was to show VR in the sexuality area by a comprehensive review of outcomes, offer a synthesis of the studies, and make a methodological quality assessment of finding results. A secondary goal was to investigate the effect of immersion on diverse sexual responses outcomes. We designed a review based on a systematic review strategy describing types of studies, participants, data collection and outcomes; searched in 4 electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and SciELO), and made a full-text screening process. The study found 18 articles that met research criteria synthesized within 3 outcome groups: erection measures, level of immersion, and biomarker studies. Synthesis shows a lack of methodological aspects that impair results, such as description of methods from bias protection, randomization, or concealment. The literature still needs to improve its methodology, even though it already shows relevant data for intervention in sexual dysfunction, forensic psychiatry, sexual attraction, orientation, and use of pornography. Current methodological issues need better design to highlight relevant issues in sexuality with stronger quality of design, opening boundaries to new diagnostic or interventional technologies to sexual health.

SEXUALITY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR: THE OPINION OF SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

The study was an intermediate result of the content analysis of sexuality research. During the study, it was found that in the scientific literature there is no specificity in revealing the essence of the concepts of “sexuality” and “sexual behaviour”. The article presents a non-exhaustive and not the most detailed version of the understanding of sexuality and sexual behavior. At the same time, this is one of the attempts to build conceptual links between these categories. Revealing sexuality as a holistic process involving vari ous aspects of human life, sexual behaviour is one of the many components predicted by sexuality. Therefore, we consider it inappropriate to study and explore sexuality only in the context of sexual behaviour.

Longitudinal changes in sexual desire and attraction among women who started using the Natural Cycles app

Many women experience sexual side effects, such as decreased libido, when taking hormonal contraceptives (HCs). However, little is known about the extent to which libido recovers after discontinuing HCs, nor about the timeframe in which recovery is expected to occur. Given that HCs suppress the activities of multiple endogenous hormones that regulate both the ovulatory cycle and women's sexual function, resumption of cycles should predict libido recovery. Here, using a combination of repeated and retrospective measures, we examined changes in sexual desire and partner attraction (among partnered women) across a three-month period in a sample of Natural Cycles users (Survey 1: n = 1596; Survey 2: n = 550) who recently discontinued HCs. We also tested whether changes in these outcomes coincided with resumption of the ovulatory cycle and whether they were associated with additional factors related to HC use (e.g., duration of HC use) or relationship characteristics (e.g., relationship length). Results revealed that both sexual desire and partner attraction, on average, increased across three months after beginning to use Natural Cycles. While the prediction that changes in sexual desire would co-occur with cycle resumption was supported, there was also evidence that libido continued to increase even after cycles resumed. Together, these results offer new insights into relationships between HC discontinuation and women's sexual psychology and lay the groundwork for future research exploring the mechanisms underlying these effects.

Italian women who have sex with women: prevalence and co-occurrence of sexual practices.

Sexuality research on the sexual practices of women who have sex with women (WSW) has thus far mostly centered on risk factors and addressed a limited number of practices, with a focus on oral sex and insertive vaginal sex. This study arises from the need to fill such a significant gap, which prevents researchers, clinicians, and policy makers from being adequately up-to-date on the sexual habits and tendencies of this population. A multiple-choice questionnaire was completed by 723 WSW with a mean (SD) age of29.14 (6.94) years. The survey included closed questions on sexual practices, including genital and oral sex, but also nongenital sexual contact (petting and intercrural sex), anal sex, and kinky practices. The most common sexual practices were self-masturbation (99.03%), oral sex (performed or received, 98.20%), and insertive genital sex (performed or received, 89.07%). Half of our sample had tried kinky practices at least once in a lifetime (51.31%). Respondents tended to experiment sexually more with stable partners rather than with casual ones. Comparisons among practices in the lesbian and bisexual population are presented. Providers should be aware that sexual orientations have their own specificities, including sexuality and practices, which should increase their knowledge and comfort in working with sexual minorities. The novel topic of the study addresses the gap in sexuality research among WSW. Strengths include the sex-positive approach, the inclusion of an array of sexual practices, and the consideration of the specificities of the group. Limitations in the generalization of the results are the cross-sectional design and the explicit topic, which may have kept some persons from responding. We propose the framing of sex as going beyond genital contact, and we invite clinicians and researchers who come into contact with WSW to be aware that sexual orientation can be associated with specificities regarding sexuality and sexual practices.

A Behavioral Economic Examination of Sexual Behaviors in the Era of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis via Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use may be associated with condom use decisions. The current investigation examined sexual decision-making in the context of PrEP among young adult men who have sex with men (MSM) between 18 and 30years old, using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. For the quantitative aim, 99 MSM currently taking PrEP (i.e., PrEP-experienced) and 140 MSM not currently taking PrEP (i.e., PrEP-naive) completed an online survey, including the Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDDT), which captures likelihood of condom use. For the qualitative aim, 15 people from each group were interviewed about their (1) conceptualizations of risky sex and (2) ways they manage their sexual risk. Participants were, on average, 25.69years old (SD = 3.07) and 64% White. Results from the quantitative aim revealed, controlling for covariates, PrEP-experienced participants exhibited significantly lower likelihood of (1) using an immediately available condom and (2) waiting for a delayed condom (i.e., sexual delay discounting) compared to PrEP-naive participants. Qualitative themes explaining what young adult MSM consider to be risky sex included: (1) any sex as risky sex, (2) risky sex as "sex without a conversation," and (3) risky sex as sex with risk for physical harm. Themes on ways young adult MSM manage sexual risk were classified as proactive, reactive, and passive. Results suggest that PrEP use is related to condom use decisions. Taken together, quantitative differences in sexual delay discounting, but qualitatively similar conceptualizations and management of risky sex, suggest that the SDDT may be a useful tool in sex research to capture processes (i.e., delay discounting) underlying sexual decision-making that may be missed by traditional self-reports. Implications of results, including potentially providing (good quality) condoms with every PrEP prescription, and future research topics are discussed.