Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: A common condition which may present as vaginismus

In their first (hetero)sexual experience, young people are enticed into the gendered practices, meanings and power relations of heterosexuality. This paper draws on findings from two primarily qualitative studies of young people's sexual practices and understandings: the Women, Risk and AIDS Project and the Men, Risk and AIDS Project. The paper suggest that for young men, first (hetero)sex is an empowering moment through which agency and identity are confirmed. For young women the moment of first (hetero)sex is more complicated, and their ambivalent responses to it are primarily concerned with managing loss. By exploring and contrasting young people's accounts of their first sexual experiences and the meanings that virginity hold for them, the paper reveals the asymmetry of desire, agency and control within (hetero)sex. The paper concludes by considering the implication of these findings for practice.     

Developmental trajectories and milestones of lesbian,gay, and bisexual young people

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young people experience a variety of developmental trajectories that consist of milestones, the sequence and timing of which differ across individuals. They include early feelings of being different from peers, the onset of same-sex attraction, questioning one's sexuality, first same-sex sexual experience, recognition and self-labelling, disclosure to others, first romantic relationship, and self-acceptance. The invention of ‘gay youth’ during the 1970s and 1980s is briefly reviewed with an emphasis on the ways in which the portrait created by early research fails to capture the developmental trajectories of millennial young people. Although some young people struggle with mental health problems as they navigate these milestones, research documents the complexity, variety, and normative nature of the vast majority of LGB young people. A growing chorus of developmental, behavioural, and social scientists now emphasize that many contemporary young people forego sexual confusion, recognize the sex or gender to which they are attracted to and love, and believe they are as mentally healthy as heterosexual young people.     

Sexual surrogate partner therapy

Recently, scholars have become interested in the impact of culture on people's attitudes, emotions, and behavior. In this study, it was predicted that culture and gender would have an impact on people's sexual self-schemas – especially, women's self-schemas. It was also predicted that couples that verified one another's sexual self-schemas would be more satisfied than those couples that did not. Contrary to the predictions, race did not prove to be a good predictor of either women's or men's sexual self-schemas. However, self-construal was a significant predictor of women's sexual self-schemas. Again, contrary to prediction, whether or not couples verified one another's sexual self-schemas did not appear to be an important predictor of either sexual or general relationship satisfaction. Some unexpected findings were found, however. Women who perceived their partners to be passionate and men who perceived their partners to be romantic were more sexually and generally satisfied in their relationships than were their peers. Men were also less satisfied if they viewed their partners as more shy/embarrassed sexually. These data demonstrate that culture (as indicated by self-construal) may influence how women see themselves sexually and that perception (for both men and women) of their partner's sense of sexual self are important predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction.     

Male Sexual Orientation Affects Sensitivity to Androstenone

Androstenone has often been discussed as a human social chemosignal, as it is one of the major contributing substances to the human body odor for which humans possess specific receptors. Here, we investigated whether male sexual orientation influences the perception of androstenone. Sensitivity to androstenone, subjective ratings of intensity, pleasantness, unpleasantness, and familiarity of the odor, as well as self-reported emotional responses (valence, arousal, dominance) to the odor were assessed in 13 homosexual and 14 heterosexual men. Isovaleric acid served as a control substance. Homosexual men displayed significantly higher olfactory sensitivity to the odor of androstenone than heterosexual men (p?<?0.05), but they did not differ from heterosexual men in their sensitivity to isovaleric acid (p?>?0.25). Moreover, both groups did not differ in their judgments of or in their emotional response to androstenone or isovaleric acid. The current results indicate that men's sexual orientation significantly impacts the perception of androstenone but that this effect does not necessarily extend to subjective judgments.     

Culturally relevant assessment and treatment for gay men's online sexual activity

Psychotherapists working with gay male clients are often called upon to differentiate between 'sub-culturally normative' and potentially harmful online sexual behaviour. Therapists improve the accuracy of their sexual compulsivity diagnostic conclusions by including healthy gay male online sexual behavioural norms. This article deals with psychotherapeutic approaches when online behaviour may be interfering with a gay male client's stated treatment goals. Individual, couples, and group psychotherapy can provide important and rare opportunities for gay men to explore both problematic online sexual activity as well as the culturally normative aspects of gay men's online sexual activity.     

Young men in love: the (re)making of heterosexual masculinities through “serious” relationships

In this paper I examine how young men's experience of what they termed “serious” relationships are contexts in which they were engaged in the processes of exploring and, in some important ways, remaking their masculine identities. I refer to data drawn from in-depth interviews with eight middle-class, white young men who are reaching the end of their studies in a Scottish secondary school and planning to enter higher education. I identify and explore aspects of the intimate relationship in which these young men contest culturally patterned discourses of gender difference and show how, in trying to resolve these differences, their sense of masculine identities is altered. I suggest that familiar gendered differences – relating to the ways that sex and love, commitment and independence and emotional expressiveness are linked to heterosexual masculinity and femininity – are three of the distinct fields of which these young men are aware and via which they engage in “gender” work. I argue that how this work is done, the resources employed and the meanings that are generated are independent on specific local and temporal realities of these young men lives.     

Sex education: The challenge for the educators

This study examined the association between unwanted early sexual experiences (UESE) and sexual adjustment among 2,608 Belgian students (men = 1,017; women = 1,587) and 1,081 South African students (men = 335; women = 739) and the severity of the experience in its bothersomeness. Of Belgian women, 14.2% (226) reported UESE compared to 31.3% (231) of South African women; and of Belgian men 12.3% (125) indicated that they had an UESE compared to 56.4% (189) of South African men. Against expectations, those without UESE showed significant poorer sexual adjustment. The severity of UESE was also associated with greater bothersomeness by all respondents except for Belgian men at the time of completing the checklist. However, no association was found between severity and bothersomeness at the time of UESE.     

Literature update: A critical review

Can perfectionism contribute to marital and sexual dysfunction?

The examination of a range of variables that may have an effect between degrees of perfectionism in a man or his partner and marital satisfaction and sexual functioning is reported (MARTEN DI BARTOLO, P. &; BARLOW, D.H. (1996) Perfectionism, marital satisfaction and contributing factors to sexual dysfunction in men with erectile disorder and their spouses, Archives of Sexual Behavior, 25, pp. 581-588). Perfectionism was measured using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and measure of marital satisfaction by the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Rating scores of organicity and psychogenicity contribution towards erectile dysfunction using various criteria and different clinicians for each rating were obtained. Higher overall levels of perfectionism were found to be associated with high clinician ratings with regard to the influence of psychogenic variables in contributing to dysfunctional men's erectile difficulties. Neither dysfunctional men's nor their spouses' marital satisfaction scores were correlated with psychogenic ratings. Dysfunctional men's overall MPS scores were not related to either their own or their partner's DAS scores, although dysfunctional partners' MPS scores were negatively related to both their own and their partner's DAS scores. This is preliminary evidence that women's but not men's perfectionist tendencies affect both their own and their spouses' marital satisfaction. The MPS scores were significantly higher in women than in men, suggesting that women may be exhibiting perfectionist tendencies to a degree that begins to impact adversely upon relationship satisfaction.     

Is responsive sexual desire for partnered sex problematic among men? Insights from a two-country study

In contrast to the body of research focusing on female sexual desire, there has been very little research into patterns of male sexual desire. This study addresses this deficiency in the literature by providing empirical answers to the following three questions: (1) is there a pattern of responsive sexual desire – defined as being predominantly receptive to a partner's initiation of sexual activity without initially desiring it – among men? (2) Is this pattern associated with lower levels of sexual health than a more spontaneous pattern of male desire? (3) Are existing clinical observations regarding possible causes of reduced interest in partnered sex useful for understanding the more responsive men's sexual desire? A large online survey about men's sexual interest was conducted in 2011 among 2215 Norwegian and Portuguese men aged 18–75 years (the average age in the sample was 36.5 years). Sociodemographic, health-related, sociosexual and relationship-related information was collected. Three distinct patterns of male sexual desire were observed: decreased (23.6%), responsive (2.5%) and spontaneous (73.9%) desire patterns. Men in the more responsive and spontaneous desire groups significantly differed from participants in the decreased desire group, as they reported significantly higher levels of sexual interest, sexual satisfaction and frequency of sexual intercourse and were less likely to have experienced sexual health difficulties in the past 12 months. Interestingly, participants with more responsive and spontaneous desire patterns were indistinguishable in terms of a number of sociodemographic, health-related, sociosexual and relationship-related variables. The sole predictor of the responsive sexual desire pattern was proneness to relationship-related sexual boredom. Clinical observations about the roles of negative emotions, relationship strain and specific sexual arousal patterns (homoerotic, autoerotic and/or paraphilic) in the etiology of hypoactive sexual desire did not seem relevant for men with responsive desire.     

Sexual health for men in culturally diverse communities—some psychological considerations

This paper will look at some psychological issues for clinicians, educators and researchers in the provision of sexual healthcare for black and ethnically non-Western men. Brief reference will be made to the literature about men's sexual health needs in other cultures, and what has already been found to be theraputically effective. Culture-bound syndromes and the beliefs they betoken will be referred to in this context. Where clinicians have adapted Western techniques to suit diverse groups, these will be discussed, even if only partially successful. Differences between black and white men in STD prevalence and vulnerability to AIDS will be described. Clinicians are urged to increase their awareness, their knowledge base, their repertoire of clinical skills, and last but not least, their desire to establish better services for diverse communities.     

Gender,sexuality and HIV: Making a difference in the lives of young women in developing countries

Most new HIV infections are occurring in young people, with young women hit particularly hard in parts of the developing world. This paper explores the impact of gender and sexual norms on young women's sexual experiences, expectations and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. It argues that the power imbalance characteristic of sexual relations among men and women has many of its roots in adolescence. The data that support these findings were collected from studies conducted in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and the Pacific as part of the Women and AIDS Research Programme of the International Center for Research on Women. The paper concludes with recommendations for educators, therapists, and counsellors who work with young people and their families.     

Mental health assessment and south Asian men

Mental health services are now required to provide culturally appropriate levels of care, but statutory services have difficulties providing multi-cultural effective services. There has been a vacuum in the understanding of what constitutes culturally appropriate mental health assessment for Asian men. This study provides exploratory data on (i) current assessment procedures applied by different agencies and professionals providing mental health services and (ii) Asian men's experience of the mental health assessments. Mental health providers and male south Asian service users in south London were approached. We interviewed three mental health professionals and eight south Asian men who were using mental health services. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, and the interview recorded, transcribed and subjected to a content analysis. We identifed Asian men's and mental health professionals' views about the adequacy of current assessment procedures. Cultural issues including religious beliefs were rarely discussed with Asian men in distress, where such discussions were considered by the men to be potentially helpful in their assessment. Cultural beliefs influenced coping styles, but these were rarely assessed. Asian men appeared not to understand the nature of their diagnosis and the rationale for treatment, some perceiving their treatment as authoritarian and disrespectful. Mental health service providers should develop more effective and comprehensive assessment procedures which include the assessment of culturally grounded health beliefs and expectations as well as religious issues.     

Social support buffers young men's resilient coping to psychological distress

Aim

Social support and resilient coping can aid mental health. The aim of this study was to examine age effects of social support on men's resilient coping for psychological distress.

Methods

The sample consisted of 434 help-seeking Canadian men who completed standardized measures. Regression analyses tested a moderated moderation model, controlling for COVID-19 pandemic impact.

Results

Greater resilient coping was associated with lower psychological distress and this relationship was moderated by social support. Higher levels of social support had a significant positive effect on men's resilient coping for psychological distress. Findings indicated that younger men (18–24 years) were most positively buffered by social support.

Conclusions

Social support appears to be particularly important for young men's coping response to psychological distress. This is an important finding in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where social support networks have been challenged. Community-based and clinical programs and initiatives that proactively target young men's development of social connections and robust supportive networks, while bolstering their individual resilient coping skills, are likely to provide protections from psychological distress.     

Violence sexuelle exercée sur les femmes en Tunisie

BackgroundSexual violence exists everywhere in the world. It depends mainly on the cultural and religious norms conveyed in the various societies. This is a neglected area of research. Available data are insufficient, especially in Arab-Muslim context.MethodsIn this paper, we comprehensively review the scientific literature in order to clarify the cultural, religious and legal aspects of the concept of sexual violence against women in Tunisia, and ask the question of the urgent need to put in place strategies to counter this problem.ResultsThe National Office for Family and Population published in 2011 the results of the national survey on violence against women in Tunisia, including data on sexual violence and its impact on women's health and well-being. According to this survey, 14.2% of women reported having been sexually abused by an intimate partner during their lifetime and 9.0% reported having experienced it during the last 12 months. One out of every six Tunisian women has been the victim of a sexual violence in a conjugal setting. More men than women legitimized violence against women in contexts where family control, especially conjugal control, is exercised over them. In a study examining the impact of culture and religion on experiences and sexual practice of women in Tunisian society, the majority of respondents thought that sexuality in women was a religious duty and that they do not have the right to refuse their husbands or to rebel. Thus, women would be doubly sanctioned having neither the right to express their desire nor not to respond to their husband's desire. A survey of a representative sample of Tunisian women found that 56.9% of the participants reported being victims of domestic violence, particularly sexual violence (10.7%) consisting mainly of rape and sodomy, at least once in their lifetime. This survey showed that those victims expressed dissatisfaction with overall quality of life. Moreover, contrary to Western literature, sexual violence was the least reported form of violence by teenage girls in Tunisian schools. Indeed, cultural values of modesty, virginity and honor are socially much more demanded for girls, in Arab countries in general, reinforcing staggering silence and inaction around violence experienced by school-aged adolescents. In Tunisian society, the cultural “solution” to rape wants the woman to marry her rapist which safeguards her family's integrity by legitimizing the union.ConclusionSexual violence has detrimental effects on female victims’ physical and mental health. Even if the information on this form of violence is not easy to obtain in our environment, and that rates of subjects reporting sexual violence in their lifetimes are not important, the problem of sexual violence must be considered as a public health problem requiring urgent interventions and a greater institutional will.     

Speculations on the Role of Childhood Abuse in the Development of Eating Disorders Among Women

Abstract

Although many have suggested that child sexual and perhaps physical abuse may predispose young women to the development of eating disorders, others assert that little empirical evidence exists to support such assertions. Nonetheless, clinicians agree that for some women, the experience of abusive events in childhood may be conceptually important in understanding the complex genesis of their eating disorder and therefore in facilitating treatment. We propose that child abuse may be related to the subsequent development of eating disorders, particularly bulimic disorders, according to the following preliminary model. The model includes the elements of: 1) child abuse, including its developmental effects on seg- and body-concepts; 2) vulnerable temperaments; 3) predisposition to comorbid conditions, particularly aflective and alcoholl substance use disorders; 4) deficits in aflect regulation; and 5) family andlor peer environments emphasizing weight, appearance, and dieting.     

Body image preferences of self and others: A comparison of spanish and american male and female college students

Abstract

To study cross-cultural differences in various aspects of body image, we examined body size ratings of self, ideal, and ideal opposite sex, and predictions regarding the opposite sex, for men and women in two different cultures, one in which there is a high incidence of eating disorders (the United States) and one in which there is believed to be a lower incidence (Spain). Participants were 240 college students from universities in Spain or the southwest United States. A group-format version of the Body Image Assessment with both female and male silhouettes was administered to all participants. Women's ratings of current and ideal body sizes were very similar across countries, although there was a tendency for American women to be more dissatisfied with their body size. Greater differences were found for men in that, on average, American men wanted to be larger and Spanish men wanted to be smaller. Across countries, men's ratings of their ideal body size were consistent with what they predicted that women found attractive whereas women in both countries wanted to be thinner than what they predicted that men found attractive.     

Factors influencing young adults’ attitudes and knowledge of late-life sexuality among older women

Objectives: Although sexuality is valued throughout the lifespan, older women's sexual expression can be influenced by physical, mental and social factors, including attitudes and stereotypes held by younger generations. By gaining an understanding of what influences negative attitudes toward sexuality and beliefs about sexual consent capacity, the stigma associated with sexuality in late life may be reduced.

Method: Using vignette methodology in an online survey, we examined older women's health and young adults’ (N = 606; mean age = 18.86, SD = 1.42, range 17–36) general knowledge and attitudes toward aging and sexuality, personal sexual behavior, religious beliefs and perceived closeness with an older adult on attitudes towards sexual behavior and perceptions of consent capacity among older women.

Results: The health status of older women proved important in determining young adults’ acceptance and perception of sexual consent capacity regarding late-life heterosexual/autoerotic and homosexual behaviors. Specifically, young adults expressed lower acceptance and more doubt regarding capacity to consent to sexual expression when the older woman was described as cognitively impaired. Additionally, young adults’ personal attitudes toward late-life sexuality, but not knowledge, predicted acceptance toward sexual expression and belief in sexual consent capacity.

Conclusion: Attention toward the influence of older women's cognitive health and young adults’ attitudes toward late-life sexuality may prove beneficial in designing interventions to decrease the stigma associated with sexual activity in later life.     

A virtual reality intervention to improve the understanding and empathy for people with dementia in informal caregivers: results of a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Informal caregivers often experience psychological distress due to the changing functioning of the person with dementia they care for. Improved understanding of the person with dementia reduces psychological distress. To enhance understanding and empathy in caregivers, an innovative technology virtual reality intervention Through the D'mentia Lens (TDL) was developed to experience dementia, consisting of a virtual reality simulation movie and e-course. A pilot study of TDL was conducted.

Methods: A pre-test–post-test design was used. Informal caregivers filled out questionnaires assessing person-centeredness, empathy, perceived pressure from informal care, perceived competence and quality of the relationship. At post-test, additional questions about TDL's feasibility were asked.

Results: Thirty-five caregivers completed the pre-test and post-test. Most participants were satisfied with TDL and stated that TDL gave more insight in the perception of the person with dementia. The simulation movie was graded 8.03 out of 10 and the e-course 7.66. Participants significantly improved in empathy, confidence in caring for the person with dementia, and positive interactions with the person with dementia.

Conclusion: TDL is feasible for informal caregivers and seems to lead to understanding of and insight in the experience of people with dementia. Therefore, TDL could support informal caregivers in their caregiving role.