Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-08-08DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2382769
Courtney A Loveless, Christopher Quinn-Nilas
{"title":"A Study of the Dyadic Associations of Self-Compassion on Sexual Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction: Evidence of Differential Associations.","authors":"Courtney A Loveless, Christopher Quinn-Nilas","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2382769","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2382769","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent research has supported the positive effects of self-compassion for couples' relationships; however, these efforts have only recently been applied to couples' sexuality. Although there is some evidence supporting the associations between self-compassion and sexual satisfaction when satisfaction is conceptualized unidimensionally, it is unclear if and to what degree those associations are different for satisfaction and dissatisfaction when these constructs are assessed separately. The aim of this study was to understand the associations between self-compassion separately for sexual satisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction for romantic partner dyads. A sample of 230 married midlife Canadian couples participated in an online survey. Findings from distinguishable Actor Partner Interdependence Models indicated that women and men with higher levels of self-compassion reported more sexual satisfaction and less sexual dissatisfaction but the effects were stronger for satisfaction than dissatisfaction. Only men's self-compassion affected women's sexual dissatisfaction, but not vice versa. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to societal attitudes and application to sex and couples therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"879-891"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141903569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-02-26DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2319245
Wouter J Kiekens, Tessa M L Kaufman, Laura Baams, Jennifer de Lange, Margreet E de Looze, Gonneke W J M Stevens, H M W Bos
{"title":"A Latent Profile Analysis of Social Support, Online Contacts, and Preference for Online Communication Among Same- and Both-Sex Attracted and Other-Sex Attracted Adolescents.","authors":"Wouter J Kiekens, Tessa M L Kaufman, Laura Baams, Jennifer de Lange, Margreet E de Looze, Gonneke W J M Stevens, H M W Bos","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2319245","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2319245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess differences between other-sex attracted and same- and both-sex attracted adolescents in profiles of peer and family social support, online contacts, and preferences for online communication. Data stem from the 2017 Dutch \"Health and Behavior in School-Aged Children\" (HBSC) survey (<i>N</i> = 6,823; 4.0% same- and both-sex attracted; <i>M</i> age<i>=</i>14.73, <i>SD</i> = 1.59, range = 12-18). We conducted latent profile analyses to estimate profiles in peer and family social support, online contacts, and preferences for online communication. Then we assessed the association between sexual attraction and profile membership. A five-profile solution fitted the data best. Profiles were characterized as <i>high support, online contact, and average online communication preference</i> (35.6%); <i>high support, low online contact, and weak online communication preference</i> (42.9%); <i>average support, high online contact, and strong online communication preference</i> (9.9%); <i>low support, low online contact, and average online communication preference</i> (6.9%); and <i>low support, average online contact, and average online communication preference</i> (5.0%). Same- and both-sex attracted adolescents had higher odds than other-sex attracted adolescents of being in the latter three profiles than in the first profile. Thus, same- and both-sex attracted adolescents were more likely to report average to low rates of peer and family social support, high to low frequency of online contact, and an average to strong preference for online communication than other-sex attracted adolescents. The average to low levels of support especially influenced these sexual orientation-based differences in profile membership.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"466-475"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139974372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-03-22DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2326933
R Lewis, R Bosó Pérez, K J Maxwell, D Reid, W Macdowall, C Bonell, J D Fortenberry, C H Mercer, P Sonnenberg, K R Mitchell
{"title":"Conceptualizing Sexual Wellbeing: A Qualitative Investigation to Inform Development of a Measure (Natsal-SW).","authors":"R Lewis, R Bosó Pérez, K J Maxwell, D Reid, W Macdowall, C Bonell, J D Fortenberry, C H Mercer, P Sonnenberg, K R Mitchell","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2326933","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2326933","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite increasing scientific and policy interest in sexual wellbeing, it remains poorly conceptualized. Many studies purporting to measure it instead measure related but distinct concepts, such as sexual satisfaction. This lack of conceptual clarity impedes understanding, measuring, and improving sexual wellbeing. We present qualitative research from multi-stage, mixed-methods work to develop a new measure of sexual wellbeing (Natsal-SW) for the fourth British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles. Literature review and discussion generated a conceptual framework with seven proposed domains: respect, self-esteem, comfort, self-determination, safety and security, forgiveness, and resilience. Semi-structured interviews with 40 adults aged 18-64 then explored whether and how these domains aligned with participants' own understandings, experiences, and language of sexual wellbeing. Data were analyzed thematically. Participants conceptualized sexual wellbeing as distinct from sexual satisfaction and sexual health and as multidimensional, dynamic, and socially and structurally influenced. All seven proposed domains resonated with accounts of sexual wellbeing as a general construct. The personal salience of different domains and their dimensions varied between individuals (especially by gender and sexual orientation) and fluctuated individually over time. This study clarifies dimensions of domains that participants considered important, providing an empirical basis to inform development of a new measure of sexual wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"693-711"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140186355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-02-16DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2310705
Jessica T Campbell, Margaret Bennett-Brown, Ellen M Kaufman, Amanda N Gesselman, David A Frederick, Justin R Garcia, Kristen P Mark
{"title":"Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes.","authors":"Jessica T Campbell, Margaret Bennett-Brown, Ellen M Kaufman, Amanda N Gesselman, David A Frederick, Justin R Garcia, Kristen P Mark","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2310705","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2310705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Affectionate touch (e.g. hugging, handholding) is an essential component of many intimate relationships and is a primary contributor to overall relationship satisfaction as well as sexual satisfaction. Affectionate touch is understood to be a form of non-verbal communication in which the giver is expressing positive feelings toward the receiver. Here, we propose that affectionate touch also positively impacts receivers' body satisfaction, because affectionate touch is a positive message communicated toward the receiver's body. In a cross-sectional sample of romantically partnered women (<i>N</i> = 1,156), we assessed the association between affectionate touch frequency and body satisfaction. We also investigated whether affectionate touch is associated with relationship/sexual satisfaction in part because touch helps to improve women's evaluations of their own bodies. Our results showed that body satisfaction was a significant, partial mediator and a valid path through which affectionate touch shapes relationship quality. Receiving affectionate touch could bolster relationship satisfaction and self-perceptions among women. Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction amongst women, these results suggest that the underexplored associations between affectionate touch and body satisfaction may have significant impacts on a wide array of future empirical and applied research trajectories.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"776-786"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139742621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-03-22DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2328250
Wayne R Hawley, Gregory D Morrow
{"title":"Been There, Done That: The Impact of the Novelty of Penile Vaginal Intercourse (PVI) and Participants' Sex on Delay and Probability Discounting of PVI.","authors":"Wayne R Hawley, Gregory D Morrow","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2328250","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2328250","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Delay and probability discounting tasks are useful for understanding aspects of decision making. The current study, which employed a mixed-model design to assess discounting of penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI), was conducted online with male and female participants recruited from Prolific (<i>N</i> = 300; mean age = 34.1 years). Results of the novel delay and probability discounting tasks indicated that as the delay to PVI increased, or as PVI became less certain to occur, participants were instead more likely to choose to receive oral sex, the reward initially indicated as less desirable. Having previously engaged in PVI, however, enhanced this reversal of preferences on both tasks, which suggests PVI loses some of its value when no longer novel. Males and females similarly discounted PVI on the delay discounting task, which suggests biological sex may not impact the propensity to wait for a preferred sexual behavior. On the probability discounting task, however, males were more averse to a reduced probability of PVI occurring and instead opted for receiving oral sex. The sexual behavior discounting tasks developed in the current study, and ones like it, may prove useful for identifying preferences in sexual behaviors, and ultimately enhance sexual and relationship satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"809-817"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140186354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-09-04DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2395482
Liesse Frérart, Claudia De Roovere, Laura Sels, Eva Ceulemans, Erick Janssen, Peter Kuppens
{"title":"In the Mood: How Sexual Desire Predicts and is Predicted by Romantic Partners' Mood.","authors":"Liesse Frérart, Claudia De Roovere, Laura Sels, Eva Ceulemans, Erick Janssen, Peter Kuppens","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2395482","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2395482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The association between mood and sexual desire has been the object of significant scientific and public interest. How mood shapes and is shaped by sexual desire is typically studied within one and the same individual, yet sexual desire is often experienced in the context of a romantic relationship. To obtain a more complete picture of the relation between mood and sexual desire, we examined the temporal interplay between mood and sexual desire both within and between partners in a romantic relationship. Using data from an experience sampling study involving both partners of mixed-gender romantic couples (<i>N</i> = 188; <i>M</i><sub><i>age</i></sub> = 26.34, <i>SD</i><sub><i>ag</i>e</sub> = 5.33), we investigated how each partner's mood (in terms of positive and negative affect) predicted their own sexual desire as well as that of their partner and vice versa. Results of both concurrent and temporal analyses confirmed bidirectional associations between mood and sexual desire both within and between partners, such that (1) both a person's own and their partner's positive mood predicted an increase in sexual desire, and a person's own and their partner's negative mood predicted a decrease in sexual desire. In addition, (2) both a person's own and their partner's sexual desire predicted an increase in positive mood, and a person's own and their partner's sexual desire predicted a decrease in negative mood. Only a few gender differences were found. The results underscore how sexual desire can predict and be predicted by both romantic partners' mood, highlighting the need for interactional models of sexual desire.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"832-842"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142134453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-03-06DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2323742
Mari R Tarantino, Rose Wesche
{"title":"Queering Cisgender LGB+ Women's Sexual Health Scripts.","authors":"Mari R Tarantino, Rose Wesche","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2323742","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2323742","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The invisibility of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB+) women in sexual health research is of particular concern when it comes to understanding and supporting their sexual health practices. We conducted a qualitative secondary analysis of sexual health decision-making interviews among 22 LGB+ cisgender women who ranged in age from 20 to 26 (<i>M =</i> 23.1 years, <i>SD</i> = 1.8 years). Participants were mostly bisexual (<i>n =</i> 9), White (<i>n =</i> 13), and all reported at least some college education. Results showed that LGB+ women both reify and push against heteronormativity in their sexual partnerships. By queering definitions of \"sex\" beyond heterosexual intercourse, leaning into trust as a foundation of new sexual partnerships, and promoting accessible and realistic hygienic strategies for STI prevention, LGB+ women queer, or reimagine, new sexual scripts. These results highlight the need for relationship and sexual health scholars to direct focus toward the promotion of holistic sexual and relationship education and research which reflects LGB+ women's various sexual desires, goals and needs. Understanding LGB+ women's sexual scripts and health outcomes will ensure that this population continues to be validated and supported by clinicians, researchers, and educators.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"487-499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140040824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-05-22DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2352555
Stephanie B Ward, Samantha Nardella, Kate W Hamilton, Kate Walsh
{"title":"\"I Didn't Realize How Common it Was:\" A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Changes in Perceptions of Sexual Assault, Sex and Consent, and Sexual Behavior as a Function of the #Metoo Movement.","authors":"Stephanie B Ward, Samantha Nardella, Kate W Hamilton, Kate Walsh","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2352555","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2352555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This mixed-methods study examined awareness and perceived legitimacy of the #MeToo movement and how #MeToo changed perceptions of sexual assault and consent, as well as sexual interactions, in the United States. Adults residing in the U.S. were recruited through CloudResearch to complete an online survey in 2021. Quantitative data from 680 participants (<i>M</i> age = 45.8, 60% women, 77.4% White) indicated moderate awareness and perceived legitimacy of the #MeToo movement; Black, LGBQ+, and more politically liberal respondents had greater #MeToo awareness while younger, more liberal respondents, and those with greater rejection of rape myths rated #MeToo more legitimate. Among 354 participants (<i>M</i> age = 45.0, 65.3% women, 76.4% White) who answered at least one open-ended question with regard to changes resulting from the #MeToo movement, thematic analysis revealed nine primary themes: (1) Describing change; (2) Change in understanding; (3) More cautious; (4) Wrong or requires reporting/punishment; (5) Gendered social norms; (6) Easier to talk about; (7) #MeToo rhetoric; (8) Consequences for survivors, and (9) Empowerment. Several sub-themes were identified among the primary themes and implications for sexual assault prevention and response were discussed. The study findings are contextualized by social constructionism, with a particular focus on gender-based power dynamics, contributing to a growing literature documenting the cultural impact of the #MeToo movement.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"641-655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11582078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141082833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-03-13DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2319695
Meredith L Chivers, Bozena Zdaniuk, Martin Lalumière, Lori A Brotto
{"title":"Effects of Group Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy versus Supportive Sex Education on Sexual Concordance and Sexual Response Among Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.","authors":"Meredith L Chivers, Bozena Zdaniuk, Martin Lalumière, Lori A Brotto","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2319695","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2319695","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Low interest in sexual activity and impaired sexual response are among women's most frequent sexual concerns. Mindfulness-based treatments improve low sexual desire and arousal and associated distress. One theorized mechanism of change is the cultivation of increased mind-body awareness via greater concordance between psychological and physiological components of sexual response. We examined sexual psychophysiology data from 148 cisgender women randomized to receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MCBT: <i>n</i> = 70) or supportive sex education (STEP: <i>n</i> = 78) over eight weekly group sessions. Women completed in-lab assessments of subjective, affective, and genital sexual responses to an erotic film pre- and post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Both groups showed positive changes in sexual and affective responses, but these were generally more pronounced for MBCT. MCBT increased sexual concordance to a greater degree, and gains in sexual concordance predicted improvements in sexual distress throughout treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"750-764"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140112126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Sex ResearchPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2024-06-28DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2367562
Eunice Carmo, Nélio Brazão, Joana Carvalho
{"title":"The Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Adolescents in School and Community Settings: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Eunice Carmo, Nélio Brazão, Joana Carvalho","doi":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2367562","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00224499.2024.2367562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual Violence (SV) is a public health problem with serious long-term consequences for victims. This scoping review aimed at summarizing the implementation, methodology, characteristics, and efficacy of SV prevention programs conducted in school and community settings with middle and high school students. This study also gathered recommendations for future research. Studies were searched in three databases: EBSCOHOST, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Eighty-six peer-reviewed empirical studies about SV prevention programs applied in school and community settings with samples of middle and high school students were analyzed. Most original studies (46.3%) used sexual violence outcomes, although many approached sexual violence in the context of dating violence (43.3%). Most SV prevention programs were applied in the U.S.A. although studies were identified across the globe. Prevention programs tend to reduce SV attitudes, perpetration, and victimization and to increase SV knowledge, as well as bystander attitudes and behaviors. The evidence reveals the efficacy of these programs, although future studies are needed to clarify the specificities of SV prevention. This article provides recommendations considering the measurement of SV outcomes, the role of technology, the involvement of adults and communities, the timing of interventions, sexual education, and reporting practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":51361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sex Research","volume":" ","pages":"656-672"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}