Sexual Preference and the Self-Reported Role of Olfaction in Mate Selection

Introduction

Olfactory cues are important in mating in many species, including humans. These odorants may be relevant because of their value as a cue to the reproductive fitness of a potential mate (Trivers 1972), but they could also be important as a signal of mate appropriateness in terms of sexual preference (Lübke and Pause 2015). One way to discriminate between these ideas is to examine whether the importance of olfaction in determining a mate is decreased in homosexual individuals, for whom selecting a mate is dissociated from the selection of a reproductive partner. The present research question asked whether the value of olfactory cues for attraction varies between homosexual and heterosexual groups.

Method

The present study examined odor importance in mating by presenting the Romantic Interest Survey (Herz and Inzlich 2002) to 453 individuals: 142 heterosexual women, 161 heterosexual men, and 150 gay men.

Results

Regression analysis indicated that heterosexual men valued the sense of smell when selecting a mate more than gay men did. In contrast, gay men valued the sound of a partner’s voice more than did heterosexual men. Heterosexual men and women did not differ by sex in terms of the value of olfaction; both men and women value olfactory aspects of a potential mate highly.

Conclusions

The higher value of olfactory cues to heterosexual individuals supports the idea that olfaction in mate selection may act as a cue to reproductive fitness, and indicates that olfactory information is not as valuable to gay men in mate selection.

Implications

These findings suggest that many people seem to be looking for similar attributes when searching for a potential romantic partner, and that olfaction is an important aspect of the process.

     

Sexual orientation disparities in the co-occurrence of substance use and psychological distress: a national population-based study (2008–2015)

Purpose

Although strong evidence documents the elevated prevalence of both substance use and mental health problems among sexual minorities (i.e., gay, lesbian, and bisexuals), relatively less research has examined whether risk of the co-occurrence of these factors is elevated among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals. The object of this study was to (1) explore sexual orientation-based differences in substance use, psychological distress, and their co-occurrence in a representative sample in Sweden, and (2) examine if greater exposure to stressors, such as discrimination, victimization/threats, and social isolation, could explain these potential disparities and their co-occurrence.

Methods

Data come from the cross-sectional Swedish National Public Health Survey, which collected random samples of individuals (16–84 years of age) annually from 2008 to 2015, with an overall response rate of 49.7% (n?=?79,568 individuals; 1673 self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual). Population-level sexual orientation differences in substance use (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) and psychological distress were examined.

Results

Our findings showed significantly elevated prevalence of high-risk alcohol use, cannabis use, and daily tobacco smoking, among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals. These substantial disparities in substance use more often co-occurred with psychological distress among sexual minorities than among heterosexuals. The elevated risk of co-occurring psychological distress and substance use was most notable among gay men relative to heterosexual men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]?=?2.65, CI 1.98, 3.55), and bisexual women relative to heterosexual women (AOR?=?3.01, CI 2.43, 3.72). Multiple mediation analyses showed that experiences of discrimination, victimization, and social isolation partially explained the sexual orientation disparity in these co-occurring problems.

Conclusions

This study adds to a growing body of research showing that sexual minorities experience multiple threats to optimal health and points toward future interventions that address the shared sources of these overlapping health threats in stigma-related stress.

     

Using Integrative Data Analysis to Examine Changes in Alcohol Use and Changes in Sexual Risk Behavior Across Four Samples of STI Clinic Patients

Background

Patients in sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics report high levels of alcohol use, which are associated with risky sexual behavior. However, no studies have examined how changes in alcohol use relate to changes in sexual risk behavior.

Purpose

We used parallel process latent growth modeling to explore how changes in alcohol use related to changes in sexual behavior across four samples of clinic patients.

Methods

Patients participating in HIV prevention trials from urban clinics in the Northeastern and Midwestern USA (N?=?3761, 59 % male, 72 % Black) completed measures at 3-month intervals over 9–12 months. Integrative data analysis was used to create composite measures of alcohol use across samples. Sexual risk measures were counts of partners and unprotected sex acts. Parallel process models tested whether alcohol use changes were correlated with changes in the number of partners and unprotected sex.

Results

Growth models with good fit showed decreases that slowed over time in sexual risk behaviors and alcohol use. Parallel process models showed positive correlations between levels of (rs?=?0.17–0.40, ps?<?0.001) and changes in (rs?=?0.21–0.80, ps?<?0.05) alcohol use and number of sexual partners across studies. There were strong associations between levels of (rs?=?0.25–0.43, ps?<?0.001) and changes in (rs?=?0.24–0.57, ps?<?0.01) alcohol use and unprotected sex in one study recruiting hazardous drinkers.

Conclusions

Across four samples of clinic patients, reductions in alcohol use were associated with reductions in the number of sexual partners. HIV prevention interventions may be strengthened by addressing alcohol use.

     

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sociodemographic Factors Prospectively Associated with Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among South African Heterosexual Men

Background

Intimate partner violence directed at women by men continues to be a global concern. However, little is known about the factors associated with perpetrating intimate partner violence among heterosexual men.

Purpose

History of childhood sexual abuse and other sociodemographic variables were examined as potential factors associated with severe intimate partner violence perpetration toward women in a sample of heterosexual men in South Africa.

Methods

Longitudinal logistic generalized estimating equations examined associations of childhood sexual abuse and sociodemographic variables at baseline with intimate partner violence perpetration at subsequent time points.

Results

Among participants with a steady female partner, 21.81 % (190/ 871) reported perpetrating intimate partner violence in the past year at baseline. Having a history of childhood sexual abuse (p < .001), binge drinking (p = .002), being employed (p = .050), and more difficulty controlling sexual impulses in order to use a condom (p = .006) at baseline were associated with self-reported intimate partner violence perpetration in the past year at subsequent time points.

Conclusions

With high levels of recent severe physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence perpetration in South Africa, comprehensive interventions are urgently needed. To more fully address gender-based violence, it is important to address associated factors, including exposure to childhood sexual abuse that could impact behavior later in life and that have long-lasting and deleterious effects on men and their female partners.

     

Sex Differences in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction

Purpose of Review

Sex differences in the treatment of sexual dysfunction are partly due to neurobiological differences, as well as, the central and peripheral physiological effects of hormones and neurotransmitter actions on reproductive systems in men and women. Differences in epidemiology of complaints and diagnostic considerations, variance in medical comorbidities, and interference from related medications also contribute to the need for different strategies for treatments of sexual dysfunction according to gender.

Recent Findings

Flibanserin and ospemifene are new medication treatment options that may help some women with symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Summary

Various therapies are available to address sexual dysfunction and sex differences are relevant to consider, in terms of diagnosis, effectiveness of treatments, and side effect profiles that may help determine indication, safety, and outcomes for specific treatments.

     

Threats to Belonging,Immune Function,and Eating Behavior: an Examination of Sex and Gender Differences

Purpose of Review

The first goal of this review is to discuss the evidence linking belonging threats to immune function and food intake. The second goal is to evaluate whether the links among belonging threats, immune function, and eating behavior differ based on gender.

Recent Findings

Threats to belonging are linked to elevated herpesvirus antibody titers, dysregulated appetite-relevant hormones, and increased food consumption. Furthermore, these relationships are largely consistent for both men and women. Threats to belonging are also linked to elevated inflammation. However, some studies showed that these effects were stronger among women, others demonstrated that they were stronger among men, and others determined that the links were consistent for men and women.

Summary

Understanding why belonging threats are inconsistently linked to inflammation across men and women is an important next step. We conclude the review with four concrete recommendations for researchers studying belonging threats, immune function, and eating behavior.

     

Advances in the Assessment of Sexual Deviance

Purpose of Review

This paper reviews recent research into four different approaches to the assessment of offense-related sexual deviance.

Recent Findings

Two of these approaches, structured rating scales and phallometry, have a sufficient basis in research for clinical use but have undergone significant refinements in recent years. One approach, the use of cognitive tasks to indirectly assess sexual deviance, is approaching the point where it has a sound research basis for clinical use though too many promising tasks have yet to make the transition from laboratory to clinical practice. This approach has however begun to map the earlier stages of sexual response including preconscious processes. The final approach, assessment through neuroimaging, is at the earliest stage of development with research findings having yet to reach sufficient stability for clinical application.

Summary

Existing assessment technologies, despite their limitations, allow professionals to assess offense-related sexual deviance. New approaches, currently being developed, potentially allow a better understanding of underlying processes and, when sufficiently mature, will be more therapeutically useful.

     

The Influence of Childhood Adversity on Rural Black Men’s Sexual Risk Behavior

Background

Young Black men living in resource-poor rural environments are disproportionately affected by both adverse childhood experiences and HIV/STIs. The influence of childhood adversity on sexual risk behavior remains to be examined among this vulnerable population.

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the influence of overall adversity as well as three subcomponents, abusive parenting, parental neglect, and witnessing family violence, on men’s engagement in sexual risk behavior. We hypothesized that adverse experiences would predict engagement in sexual risk behaviors including multiple sexual partnerships, inconsistent condom use, frequent sexual activity, and concurrent substance abuse and sexual activity. We tested formally the extent to which defensive relational schemas mediated these associations.

Methods

Hypotheses were tested with data from 505 rural Black men (M age?=?20.29, SD?=?1.10) participating in the African American Men’s Health Project. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Self-report data were gathered from participants via audio computer-assisted self-interviews.

Results

Bi-factor analyses revealed that, in addition to a common adversity factor, neglect independently predicted sexual risk behavior. Men’s defensive relational schemas partially mediated the influence of the common adversity factor as well as the neglect subcomponent on sexual risk behavior.

Conclusions

The present research identified a potential risk factor for sexual risk behavior in an understudied and vulnerable population. Adverse childhood experiences in general, and neglect in particular, may place many young Black men at risk for engaging in sexual risk behavior due in part to the influence of these experiences on men’s development of relational schemas characterized by defensiveness and mistrust.

     

Association between obesity and depressive symptoms in Mexican population

Purpose

Obesity and depression are among the leading causes of disability in Mexico, but their association has not been explored yet. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between obesity and depression in Mexican population.

Methods

We used data from the health and nutrition survey (ENSANUT 2012), which is representative of the Mexican population. Obesity was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity by measuring waist circumference. Depressive symptoms were reported using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Short-Form (CES-D-SF, scale 0–21). Regression analyses were performed between obesity and depression, adjusting for gender, age, living with a partner, education, and diabetes history.

Results

Obese women had 1.28 (95% CI 1.07–1.53) times the odds of having depression in comparison with normal-weight women, whereas no association was found for men (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.74–1.19). A significant association between BMI and depressive symptoms score (β?=?0.05, 95% CI 0.02–0.07) was present in women, but no association was found for men (β?=???0.02, 95% CI ??0.05 to 0.00). There was a statistically significant association between waist circumference and depression scores again for women (β?=?0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.04) but not for men (β?=?0.00, 95% CI ??0.01 to 0.01). No associations were found between abdominal obesity and depression for both genders. No association was found between different obesity severity levels and depression for both genders.

Conclusion

Obesity was associated with depression in Mexican women, whereas no association was found between obesity and depression in men.

     

Neighborhood determinants of mood and anxiety disorders among men who have sex with men in New York City

Purpose

We examined the relationship between economic, physical, and social characteristics of neighborhoods, where men who have sex with men (MSM) lived and socialized, and symptom scores of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods

Participants came from a cross-sectional study of a population-based sample of New York City MSM recruited in 2010–2012 (n?=?1126). Archival and survey-based data were obtained on neighborhoods, where the men lived and where they socialized most often.

Results

MSM who socialized in neighborhoods with more economic deprivation and greater general neighborhood attachment experienced higher GAD symptoms. The relationship between general attachment to neighborhoods where MSM socialized and mental health depended on the level of gay community attachment: in neighborhoods characterized by greater gay community attachment, general neighborhood attachment was negatively associated with GAD symptoms, while in low gay community attachment neighborhoods, general neighborhood attachment had a positive association with GAD symptoms.

Conclusions

This study illustrates the downsides of having deep ties to social neighborhoods when they occur in the absence of broader access to ties with the community of one’s sexual identity. Interventions that help MSM cross the spatial boundaries of their social neighborhoods and promote integration of MSM into the broader gay community may contribute to the reduction of elevated rates of depression and anxiety in this population.

     

Risk factors of thyroid abnormalities in bipolar patients receiving lithium: a case control study

Background

Lithium-induced thyroid abnormalities have been documented in many studies. They may occur despite normal plasma lithium levels. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine possible relationship between lithium ratio, defined as erythrocyte lithium concentrations divided by plasma lithium concentrations, and thyroid abnormalities in bipolar patients receiving lithium and 2) to find other possible risk factors for developing thyroid abnormalities in the subjects.

Methods

Sixty-eight bipolar patients receiving lithium therapy were enrolled in a cross-sectional evaluation of thyroid function test and thyroid size. Patients were divided into two groups based on their thyroid function tests and thyroid sizes. Erythrocyte and plasma lithium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry for each patient. Lithium ratio was then calculated.

Results

No significant differences were found between age, positive family history of affective disorder, plasma lithium concentration, erythrocyte lithium concentration, and lithium ratio comparing the two groups. Thyroid abnormalities was significantly higher in women than in men (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Lithium ratio does not appear to have a predictive role for thyroidal side effects of lithium therapy. Female gender was the main risk factor. We suggest more frequent thyroid evaluation of bipolar women who are treated with lithium.

     

Einstellungen gegenüber Psychotherapie in Südkorea und Deutschland

Background

Due to the relatively recent introduction of psychotherapy in South Korea and against the background of collectivist and Confucian values, it has been suggested that South Koreans harbor more negative attitudes towards psychotherapy compared to Germans and that the social acceptance of psychotherapy is lower.

Methods

We compared the attitudes of 99 women from South Korea with 98 German women using the questionnaire on attitudes towards psychotherapeutic treatment (FEP). For the study of the South Korean women we translated the questionnaire into the Korean language.

Results

The results of the psychometric analysis suggest that the Korean version of the FEP is of acceptable quality. South Korean women reported a significantly more negative attitude towards psychotherapy compared to German women. Furthermore, South Korean women anticipated a more skeptical social attitude towards psychotherapy compared to Germans.

Conclusion

The presented results suggest the relevance of cultural imprinting in psychotherapy. They are discussed with respect to culture-specific self-concepts, concepts of disease and healing expectations and the increase of individualistic values in the Korean society.

     

Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Chronic pain patients increasingly seek treatment through mindfulness meditation.

Purpose

This study aims to synthesize evidence on efficacy and safety of mindfulness meditation interventions for the treatment of chronic pain in adults.

Method

We conducted a systematic review on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Outcomes included pain, depression, quality of life, and analgesic use.

Results

Thirty-eight RCTs met inclusion criteria; seven reported on safety. We found low-quality evidence that mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain compared with all types of controls in 30 RCTs. Statistically significant effects were also found for depression symptoms and quality of life.

Conclusions

While mindfulness meditation improves pain and depression symptoms and quality of life, additional well-designed, rigorous, and large-scale RCTs are needed to decisively provide estimates of the efficacy of mindfulness meditation for chronic pain.

     

Single-Session Behavioral Interventions for Sexual Risk Reduction: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Evidence-based, single-session STI/HIV interventions to reduce sexual risk taking are potentially effective options for implementation in resource-limited settings and may solve problems associated with poor participant retention.

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to estimate the efficacy of single-session, behavioral interventions in reducing unprotected sex or increasing condom use.

Methods

Data sources were searched through April 2013 producing 67 single-session interventions (52 unique reports; N?=?20,039) that included outcomes on condom use and/or unprotected sex.

Results

Overall, participants in single-session interventions reduced sexual risk taking relative to control groups (d ₊ ?=?0.19, 95 % CI?=?0.11, 0.27). Within-group effects of the interventions were larger than the between-groups effects when compared to controls.

Conclusions

Brief, targeted single-session sexual risk reduction interventions demonstrate a small but significant effect and should be prioritized.

     

Influence of sex,menstrual cycle,and oral contraceptives on the cerebrovascular response to paced deep breathing

Purpose

Deep breathing assesses autonomic function; however, many researchers/clinicians do not account for hyperventilation, brain blood flow or blood pressure.

Methods

Men and women (with/without oral contraceptives) participated. women participated during low and high hormone phases of the menstrual cycle. Blood pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide, middle cerebral artery velocity and cerebrovascular resistance were assessed.

Results

Deep breathing decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide and middle cerebral artery velocity while increasing cerebrovascular resistance in all participants; blood pressure decreased in men. There were no influences of menstrual cycle or oral contraceptives.

Conclusions

Men have different autonomic responses to deep breathing compared to women.

     

Inhalant use in adolescents in northern Russia

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of inhalant use in Russian adolescents and to investigate associated psychosocial problems from a gender perspective.

Methods

Data on inhalant use and comorbid psychopathology were collected by means of self-reports from 2892 (42.4% boys) sixth to tenth grade students in public schools in Arkhangelsk, Russia. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess differences in the levels of internalizing and externalizing problems in boys and girls, who were non-users and users of inhalants.

Results

The prevalence of inhalant use was 6.1% among boys and 3.4% among girls. Compared with non-users, inhalant users scored significantly higher on internalizing and externalizing problems, functional impairment and lower on academic motivation, with psychopathology increasing with age. While there were no gender differences for internalizing problems, increased levels of externalizing problems in inhalant users were gender-specific (significantly higher in boys).

Conclusions

Inhalant use is related to significantly higher levels of comorbid psychopathology in Russian adolescents. Comprehensive, evidence-based prevention and intervention policies are needed to address inhalant use and its harmful effects.

     

Gender differences in the effects of childhood adversity on alcohol,drug, and polysubstance-related disorders

Purpose

To examine gender differences in the associations between childhood adversity and different types of substance use disorders and whether gender moderates these relationships.

Methods

We analyzed data from 19,209 women and 13,898 men as provided by Wave 2 (2004–2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to examine whether gender moderates the associations between childhood adversity and DSM-IV defined lifetime occurrence of alcohol, drug, and polysubstance-related disorders. We used multinomial logistic regression, weighted to be representative of the US adult civilian, noninstitutionalized population, and we calculated predicted probabilities by gender, controlling for covariates. To test which specific moderation contrasts were statistically significant, we conducted pair-wise comparisons corrected for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni’s method.

Results

For each type of substance use disorder, risk was increased by more exposure to childhood adversity, and women had a lower risk than men. However, moderation effects revealed that with more experiences of childhood adversity, the gender gap in predicted probability for a disorder narrowed in relation to alcohol, it converged in relation to drugs such that risk among women surpassed that among men, and it widened in relation to polysubstances.

Conclusions

Knowledge regarding substance-specific gender differences associated with childhood adversity exposure can inform evidence-based treatments. It may also be useful for shaping other types of gender-sensitive public health initiatives to ameliorate or prevent different types of substance use disorders.

     

Clinical Relevance of Steroid Use in Neuro-Oncology

Background

Corticosteroids are commonly used in the management of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors and CNS metastases to treat cancer- and treatment-related cerebral edema and improve neurologic function. However, they are also associated with significant morbidity and mortality, given their wide range of adverse effects.

Purpose of Review

To review the mechanism of action, pharmacology, and toxicity profile of corticosteroids and to critically appraise the evidence that supports their use in neuro-oncologic practice based on the latest scientific and clinical data.

Recent Findings

Recent data suggest that corticosteroids may negatively impact survival in glioma patients. In addition, corticosteroids should be incorporated as a standard criterion to assess a patient’s clinical and radiographic response to treatment.

Summary

Corticosteroids should be used judiciously in neuro-oncologic patients, given the potential deleterious effects on clinical outcome and patient survival. Anti-angiogenic agents, which lack these adverse effects, may be a reasonable alternative to corticosteroids.

     

Loss of group memberships predicts depression in postpartum mothers

Purpose

The postpartum period presents the highest risk for women’s mental health throughout the lifespan. We aimed to examine the Social Identity Model of Identity Change in this context. More specifically, we investigated changes in social identity during this life transition and their consequences for women’s postpartum mental health.

Methods

Women who had given birth within the last 12 months (N = 387) reported on measures of depression, social group memberships, and motherhood identification.

Results

Analyses indicated that a decrease in group memberships after having a baby, controlling for group memberships prior to birth, was associated with an increase in depressive symptomology. However, maintaining pre-existing group memberships was predictive of better mental health. New group memberships were not associated with depressive symptomology. Identification as a mother was a strong positive predictor of mental health in the postpartum period.

Conclusions

The social identity model of identity change provides a useful framework for understanding postpartum depression. Interventions to prevent and treat postpartum depression might aim to support women in maintaining important social group networks throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

     

Gender difference in QTc prolongation of people with mental disorders

Background

We examined gender difference in QTc interval distribution and its related factors in people with mental disorders.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of patients discharged from a university psychiatric unit between November 1997 and December 2000. Subjects were 328 patients (145 males and 183 females) taking psychotropics at their admission. We examined patient characteristics, medical history, diagnosis, and medication before admission.

Results

Mean QTc interval was 0.408 (SD = 0.036). QTc intervals in females were significantly longer than those in males. QTc of females without comorbidity was significantly longer than that of males.

Conclusion

The influence of gender difference on QTc prolongation in people with mental disorders merits further research.