{"title":"Reevaluating gender-affirming care: biological foundations, ethical dilemmas, and the complexities of gender dysphoria.","authors":"Marc J Defant","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2456066","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2456066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper critically examines the scientific and ethical underpinnings of gender-affirming care, particularly for minors. While major medical organizations endorse such interventions as medically necessary, the evidence supporting their long-term safety and efficacy remains limited. Research into hormonal, neuroanatomic, and genetic influences reveals a strong biological basis for gender identity, challenging social constructionist arguments. There is a lack of robust, long-term studies that definitively demonstrate the outcomes of gender-affirming medical treatments, such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy, for minors. Questions remain about how these interventions affect physical health (e.g., bone density, fertility) and mental well-being over decades. These gaps in the evidence, particularly for adolescents, raise ethical concerns about the appropriateness of irreversible medical treatments. This analysis highlights the tension between the social constructivist framework of gender and the medicalization of gender dysphoria. It explores the implications of rising desistance rates, co-occurring mental health conditions, and increasing non-binary identities within current clinical paradigms. Drawing on evidence from cases involving gender detransitioning, the impact of hormones, and neurological development in both straight, gay, and trans individuals, the paper underscores the importance of cautious, evidence-based approaches that prioritize psychological maturity and comprehensive mental health assessments. Ultimately, the paper advocates for rigorous longitudinal research, enhanced mental health evaluations, and the development of noninvasive therapeutic options in particular anda reevaluation of treatment models to ensure ethically sound and scientifically supported care for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"200-210"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143007476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Madison E Williams, David Lafortune, Cloé Canivet, Éliane Dussault
{"title":"Sex Toy Use in Québec (Canada): Prevalence Across Demographics, Motivations, and Links with Erotophobia and Sexual Satisfaction.","authors":"Madison E Williams, David Lafortune, Cloé Canivet, Éliane Dussault","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2464092","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2464092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sex toys are widely used in both solitary and partnered sexual activities, yet the sociodemographic characteristics and sexual wellbeing of users remain under-researched. This study examined solo and partnered sex toy users' sociodemographic characteristics and levels of erotophobia and sexual satisfaction in a Canadian community sample (<i>n =</i> 1,959). Participants completed an online survey, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, an inventory of sex toy usage, and validated measures of erotophobia and sexual satisfaction. Comparative analyses (i.e., <i>t</i>-tests, chi-squared) examined the differences in characteristics between individuals who use sex toys and those who do not, while binomial logistic regressions tested the main factors associated with solitary and partnered sex toy usage. Women, younger adults, self-identified virgins, homosexual or bi/pansexual individuals, and those with a history of childhood sexual victimization were more likely to report sex toy use. Sex toy users reported higher sexual satisfaction and lower erotophobia in both solo and partnered contexts than those who had not used sex toys. These findings offer important insights into the characteristics of sex toy users and suggest that further research is needed to understand how individual and sociocultural factors contribute to the relationship between sex toy usage and sexual wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"283-297"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143458506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leonor de Oliveira, Pablo Vallejo-Medina, Joana Carvalho
{"title":"The Mediating Role of Sexual Boredom in Women's Sexual Desire and Satisfaction.","authors":"Leonor de Oliveira, Pablo Vallejo-Medina, Joana Carvalho","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2024.2442958","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2024.2442958","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual boredom in women is associated with various levels and dimensions of sexual desire, as well as lower sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, the directionality of these relationships remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether sexual boredom mediates the relationship between partner and attractive-other sexual desire and sexual and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 1155 Portuguese women in long-term monogamous relationships. Participants, aged 18-66 years (M = 31.60, SD = 5.65), were involved in cohabiting relationships of 1 year or more. Linear regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were conducted, revealing that sexual boredom emerged as a stronger predictor of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to dimensions of sexual desire. Additionally, sexual boredom partially mediated the relationship between partnered sexual desire and satisfaction and fully mediated the relationship between attractive other-related sexual desire and satisfaction variables. Notably, sexual boredom explained up to one-third of sexual satisfaction (32%) and slightly less of relationship satisfaction (27%). These findings underscore the importance of addressing sexual boredom in long-term relationships to promote women's sexual health. Furthermore, they suggest that experiencing sexual desire for attractive non-partners is not indicative of sexual and relationship dissatisfaction unless accompanied by sexual boredom.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"96-109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142864739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Debby Herbenick, Callie Patterson Perry, Bethany Lumsdaine, Tsung-Chieh Fu, Mary Balle, Owen Miller, Ruhun Wasata, J Dennis Fortenberry
{"title":"What Are Americans' Favorite Aspects of Partnered Sex? Findings From a U.S. Nationally Representative Survey.","authors":"Debby Herbenick, Callie Patterson Perry, Bethany Lumsdaine, Tsung-Chieh Fu, Mary Balle, Owen Miller, Ruhun Wasata, J Dennis Fortenberry","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2024.2432261","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2024.2432261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using data from an online, cross-sectional U.S. nationally representative survey, we analyzed participants' responses to an open-ended item that asked them to look back on their entire lives and to describe their favorite aspects of being sexual with a partner. These text responses (n = 2755) were grouped into 22 codes, the most common of which were closeness/intimacy, specific sex acts, feels good, love/caring, satisfying/pleasing a partner, and orgasm. The present study extends the existing literature on positive aspects of sexuality.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"42-57"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142729944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of Positive Airway Pressure Treatment on the Sexuality of Female Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.","authors":"Filiz Manga Günaydın, Zahide Yılmaz Güneş","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2462055","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2462055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to show the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on sexuality that has been negatively affected in female patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study included 26 females diagnosed with OSAS. Analyses were made of the sociodemographic data and polysomnography (PSG) and PAP titration data. Before and after 2 months of PAP treatment, the patients were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). There was determined to be a 2.67 ± 5.19 unit increase in the total FSFI measurements (<i>p</i> = 0.015, <i>p</i> < 0.05) post-PAP compared to before PAP treatment, and of the FSFI subscale measurements, a 0.65 ± 0.97 unit increase in desire (<i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and a 0.75 ± 1.80 unit increase in satisfaction (<i>p</i> = 0.042, <i>p</i> < 0.05). These increases were determined to be statistically significant. The ESS measurements showed a statistically significant decrease of 2.04 ± 4.69 units from pre to post-PAP (<i>p</i> = 0.036, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and there was a 3.04 ± 6.27 unit decrease in the BDI measurements (<i>p</i> = 0.021, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Correction of oxygen saturation with PAP treatment and a decrease in depressive complaints in female patients with sleep apnea may significantly improve sexual functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"261-270"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143408774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ryan L Rahm-Knigge, Neil Gleason, Kristen P Mark, Eli Coleman
{"title":"Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory Short Form (CSBI-SF): Development and Psychometric Evaluation.","authors":"Ryan L Rahm-Knigge, Neil Gleason, Kristen P Mark, Eli Coleman","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2470214","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2470214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI-13) assesses concerns related to compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) and has previously demonstrated strong psychometric properties. To enhance research and clinical screening utility, a short-form of the CSBI-13 was developed by modifying the CSBI-13 to items that screen for CSB and potential CSBD diagnosis. Using a confirmatory factor analytic approach, the resulting five-item CSBI-SF demonstrated strong model fit and internal consistency comparable to the original CSBI-13, as well as associations with other CSB measures and known correlates (religiosity, attachment style, and emotion dysregulation). The CSBI-SF provides a valid and reliable brief assessment of CSB.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"323-334"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143483436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"My (Un)Sexy World: A Mixed-Methods Study.","authors":"Vesile Koçak, Hamide Aygör","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2449875","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2449875","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual dysfunction is frequent problem among women during the postpartum period, which is a sensitive period of life. Body image and genital self-image, which is an aspect of body image, are significant issues. Women with a heightened focus on their physical appearance and negative body image are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction linked to their body image. The aim of this research was to examine the relationships among sexual dysfunction, genital self-image, and body perception during sexual intercourse in the postpartum period and to explore the causes of sexual dysfunction. To accomplish these aims, a consecutive, mixed-methods study was performed, consisting of a survey (<i>N</i> = 379) and follow-up interviews (<i>n</i> = 24) with women up to 1 year postpartum in Turkey. Having a vaginal birth, being multipara, and desiring genital plastic surgery are associated with a negative genital self-image and sexual dysfunction in women postpartum. Negative genital self-image was also found to be associated with sexual dysfunction. When examined in-depth, complications during birth and the postpartum period (e.g., perineal trauma, episiotomy, lacerations, stitches), combined with preexisting problems, contributed to sexual dysfunction in women postpartum. The postpartum period is often a very sensitive time, during which women's lives may change completely. Birth complications that may affect their sexual lives and women's perceptions about their genital organs may be related to sexual dysfunction. Genital self-image needs to be addressed when providing postpartum care.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"129-141"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143074898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Critiques of the Cass Review: Fact-Checking the Peer-Reviewed and Grey Literature.","authors":"Kathleen McDeavitt, J Cohn, Stephen B Levine","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2455133","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2455133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Cass Review's final report, published in April 2024, made recommendations to the UK's National Health Service regarding structuring of services for minors with gender-related distress. It recommended cautious use of hormonal interventions in this population and use of research protocols. Some clinician-researchers disagree with the Cass Review's recommendations and have written critiques. A critique of the Cass Review posted on Yale Law School's website in July 2024 has received extensive media coverage. Its references identified three other critiques. In these papers, there were multiple claims that were incorrect or that lacked essential clarification/contextualization. These claims involved (1) the Cass Review's contents and processes; (2) the pediatric transgender healthcare evidence base; (3) existing clinical practice guidelines, including claims that there is international medical consensus; (4) evidence-based medical practice and guideline development; and (5) conclusions regarding the validity of the Cass Review's findings. The Cass Review's careful, balanced investigations and judgments were a comprehensive, evidence-based response to the controversies in this pediatric clinical arena. Recently-published critiques of the Review have contained incorrect or inadequately contextualized claims. Because accurate information about medical interventions is essential to informed consent, it is important to correct errors in potentially influential publications.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"175-199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143189764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Greta Hübener, Johanna Schröder, Peer Briken, Safiye Tozdan
{"title":"Solo Versus Co-Perpetrators in the Context of Female-Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse - Findings from an Online Survey on Affected Individuals.","authors":"Greta Hübener, Johanna Schröder, Peer Briken, Safiye Tozdan","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2462048","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2462048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Female-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major social taboo that often results in individuals facing challenges in disclosing their experiences and accessing appropriate support services. The present study aims to identify the differences between CSA by female solo perpetrators and CSA by female co-perpetrators. We analyzed data from an anonymous online survey involving individuals who reported their experiences of female-perpetrated CSA. A total of 186 participants were divided into those who had been abused by solo perpetrators (n = 88) and those who had experienced CSA by female co-perpetrators (n = 98). We compared their experiences across various characteristics. Our findings suggest that those affected by CSA by female co-perpetrators report abuse that had an earlier onset, was more severe, and lasted longer than the experiences reported by those affected by CSA by female solo perpetrators. The reports further indicate that CSA by female co-perpetrators is more likely to be committed by unknown perpetrators and occurs more frequently in religious institutions than CSA by female solo perpetrators. These findings highlight a need to raise awareness about different forms of female-perpetrated CSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"247-260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143492373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan Manuel Martínez Preciado, Carolina Sandoval-Salinas, Héctor Corredor Ayala
{"title":"Infidelity in Men with Erectile Dysfunction and Its Association with the Severity of the Condition: A Comparative Analysis Across Six Ibero-american Countries.","authors":"Juan Manuel Martínez Preciado, Carolina Sandoval-Salinas, Héctor Corredor Ayala","doi":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2456317","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0092623X.2025.2456317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, data from 7,440 patients from six Ibero-American countries were analyzed, focusing on men who consulted for erectile dysfunction (ED). Participants were queried about infidelity in their relationships. Results showed a negative correlation between infidelity and the severity of ED, suggesting that the likelihood of infidelity decreases as the severity of ED increases. Additionally, alcohol consumption and age were identified as significant predictors of infidelity, with notable country-specific variations. No significant associations were found between infidelity and other variables such as comorbidities affecting erectile function, sexual activity frequency, or suspected hypogonadism, measured using the AMS questionnaire.</p>","PeriodicalId":17171,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"211-218"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}