Grace M Wetzel,Carly Wolfer,Cheryl L Carmichael,Diana T Sanchez
{"title":"An Experimental Investigation of Sexual Scripts by Partner Gender: Anticipated Clitoral Stimulation and Partner Orgasm Pursuit Shape Women's Orgasm Expectations.","authors":"Grace M Wetzel,Carly Wolfer,Cheryl L Carmichael,Diana T Sanchez","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03169-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03169-4","url":null,"abstract":"Research has found that bisexual women expect clitoral stimulation and orgasm more when hypothetically partnered with another woman versus a man, which is consistent with the widely documented heterosexual orgasm gap. The current research aims to (1) investigate \"perceived partner orgasm pursuit\" (i.e., the participant's perception that her partner is pursuing her orgasm) as a novel mechanism to explain this difference in orgasm expectations, and (2) demonstrate that manipulating the interpersonal sexual script with a male partner to include sufficient clitoral stimulation can increase orgasm expectations when women have sex with men. In Study 1, we found that bisexual or pansexual women (N = 457) partnered with a woman in a hypothetical scenario expected greater clitoral stimulation, partner pursuit of her orgasm, and likelihood of orgasm than those partnered with a man. In Study 2, bisexual or pansexual women (N = 362) who were partnered with a man in a hypothetical scenario that specified (1) clitoral stimulation or (2) opportunity to orgasm via her most reliable route expected her partner to pursue her orgasm and expected orgasm, at similar rates to women who were partnered with a woman whose sexual behavior was unspecified. On the contrary, women partnered with a man in a hypothetical scenario which specified vaginal intercourse only expected the lowest likelihood of orgasm. In both studies, condition predicted expected clitoral stimulation, which predicted perceived partner orgasm pursuit, which predicted orgasm expectations. This research suggests that sexual scripts explain differences in orgasm expectations by partner gender, and these expectations can be changed by shifting the sexual script at the interpersonal level to include sufficient opportunity for (and pursuit of) women's orgasm via clitoral stimulation. Findings are discussed in the context of contributors to and solutions for the orgasm gap.","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":"232 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144311366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stef Adriaenssens, Jef Hendrickx, Patrick Heegemann
{"title":"Does the Law Affect the Justification of Prostitution? A Natural Experiment on the Impact of European Law Changes on Prostitution Norms.","authors":"Stef Adriaenssens, Jef Hendrickx, Patrick Heegemann","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03140-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03140-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While most evaluations of the effects of prostitution policy focus on externalities such as violence, STDs, or risks of human trafficking, this contribution studies the impact on the public's social norms regarding prostitution. European countries that criminalized the purchase of physical sexual services often explicitly aim to change the public's normative evaluation of prostitution. In the same logic, some expect that legalization or regulation of prostitution would \"normalize\" prostitution. We tested these conjectures empirically with the help of a multi-case study. We estimate the normative effect of six European cases of national legislative changes in Europe, thus not only diversifying the legal change but also bringing in understudied cases. Legal changes include the criminalization of the purchase of sexual services according to the so-called \"Nordic model\" (Sweden, Norway, and France), a passage to a regulated regime (the Netherlands), and the decriminalization of selling sex (Slovenia and Spain). The evolution of the normative acceptance of prostitution was measured with European Values Study and World Values Study data collected from the 1990s until 2008. The effects were modeled through a difference-in-differences approach combined with a matching procedure. The results indicated that criminalization indeed decreased the public's acceptance of the phenomenon of prostitution. At the same time, decriminalization has effects in both directions: In Spain, norms have become more liberal, while in Slovenia, they have become more judgmental. This more judgmental shift also occurred after the regulatory turn in the Netherlands. Factors related to the specific dynamic of the public debate around the law change probably drive these contextual differences.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144309482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sexual, Romantic, and Community Experiences of Individuals at the Intersection of Autism and Asexuality.","authors":"Randolph C H Chan, Fei Nga Hung","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03170-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03170-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study investigated the prevalence of autism among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum and explored the potential differences in sexual, romantic, and community experiences between autistic and non-autistic individuals on the asexual spectrum. The study included a global sample of 10,419 individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum from the 2020 Ace Community Survey. They completed a questionnaire on asexual identification, romantic relationships, sexual behaviors, and community engagement. The results revealed an autism prevalence rate of 6.9% among individuals on the asexual spectrum, which is higher than the prevalence rate in general populations. Autistic individuals had a stronger identification with their sexual orientation than non-autistic counterparts. They were also more likely to disclose their asexual identity, be in a partnered relationship with others on the asexual or aromantic spectrum, and participate in online LGBTQ communities. The results emphasize the necessity for heightened awareness and understanding of the intersection between autism and asexuality among healthcare professionals, social service providers, and educators. The findings have significant implications for inclusive and affirming sexuality education for individuals on the autism spectrum. Such education is crucial in promoting self-acceptance and empowering them to have greater control over their (a)sexual journeys.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144293176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Suicidal Risk in Patients with Sex Addiction: Frequency, Sociodemographic, and Clinical Characteristics.","authors":"Benoît Schreck, Eduardo Valenciano-Mendoza, Marianne Balem, Susana Jimenez-Murcia, Elsa Thiabaud, Solène Tillet, Anais Saillard, Yann Donnio, Marie Grall-Bronnec, Gaelle Challet-Bouju","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03167-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03167-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sex addiction is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense and repetitive sexual urges, thus causing marked distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Sex addiction may co-occur with other psychiatric conditions, including suicide risk, but few studies have explored such co-occurrences in depth, and these studies were based on small samples. A total of 136 patients referred to the Nantes University Hospital for sex addiction between 2013 and 2022 were included. Sex addiction was diagnosed using Goodman's scale for the diagnosis of behavioral addictions. Suicide risk was assessed using the suicidality module of the MINI 5.0. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the presence of suicide risk. Suicide risk was detected among 46% of patients. Four variables were found to be associated with suicide risk: a higher proportion of relatives aware of the sex addiction, a higher frequency of anxiety disorders, a higher frequency of mood disorders and a lower level of self-directedness. The frequency of suicide risk in patients with behavioral addictions is greater than that reported in previous studies. Mood and anxiety disorders are two factors that are often found to be associated with suicide risk among individuals with sex addiction, while awareness of sex addiction by relatives and a low level of self-directedness are two factors that have not been previously identified. In fact, it may be relevant to improve the self-directedness dimension through psychotherapies and to consider the inclusion of the patient's partner in the treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144282285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aleksandar Štulhofer, Nantje Fischer, Thomas Hansen, Cynthia A Graham, Bente Træen
{"title":"Positive Sexual Aging: A Novel Concept and Bi-Country Development of a Brief Measure.","authors":"Aleksandar Štulhofer, Nantje Fischer, Thomas Hansen, Cynthia A Graham, Bente Træen","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03158-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03158-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexuality has been robustly linked to older adults' well-being. Although several approaches to measuring sexual health and sexual well-being in this population have been recently proposed, their conceptual framework is unclear or missing. Following the gerontological successful aging paradigm that focuses on dynamic adaptive processes, we constructed and tested a new measure intended to assess positive sexual aging. Using two probability-based samples of partnered women and men aged 65+ years (n = 727) from Norway and Croatia, we tested dimensionality, measurement invariance, associations with other relevant constructs, and network-of-items topology of a brief 4-item measure. This new measure-the Brief Positive Sexual Aging Scale (BIPSAS)-was invariant across country and age, but not gender. Marked gender differences were also found in the measure's network-of-items topology. Scores on the measure were significantly and meaningfully related to indicators of sexual communication and activity, relationship and life satisfaction, and psychological health. The opportunities for sexual expression facet had the highest overall centrality in the BIPSAS network, echoing its heightened importance for older people's sexuality. With a caveat that positive sexual aging in older women and men may not be directly comparable, this psychometrically sound and brief measure is suitable for use in a wide range of studies focusing on health, well-being, and sexuality among older partnered adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Satveer Dhillon, Roger Antabe, Daniel Amoak, Yujiro Sano
{"title":"The Association of Food Security Status with Transactional Sex Engagement Among Female Adolescents Aged 15-24: Evidence from Cameroon.","authors":"Satveer Dhillon, Roger Antabe, Daniel Amoak, Yujiro Sano","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03168-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03168-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transactional sex has been identified as a risk factor for HIV acquisition. While studies have investigated the various factors associated with transactional sex among women, its association with food security status in sub-Saharan African countries remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we utilized data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey and applied multivariate logit models to examine the relationship between food security status and engagement in transactional sex among unmarried adolescent girls and young women in Cameroon. Our results indicated that unmarried adolescent girls and young women (aged 15-24 years) experiencing moderate (OR = 3.00, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.66, 5.42) and severe (OR = 3.33, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.82, 6.11) food insecurity were more likely to engage in transactional sex in the previous 12 months before the DHS survey was conducted, compared to those without any experience of food insecurity. Based on these findings, we propose several implications for policymakers and offer directions for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel, Sophie Bergeron, Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Natasha Zippan, Léna Nagy, Mónika Koós, Shane W Kraus, Zsolt Demetrovics, Marc N Potenza, Beáta Bőthe
{"title":"For Whom Is Sexual Abuse Related to Compulsive Sexual Behaviors? Timing of Abuse and Sociodemographic Characteristics as Potential Moderators Across 42 Countries.","authors":"Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel, Sophie Bergeron, Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, Natasha Zippan, Léna Nagy, Mónika Koós, Shane W Kraus, Zsolt Demetrovics, Marc N Potenza, Beáta Bőthe","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03162-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03162-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual abuse, which includes child (CSA), adolescent, and adult unwanted sexual experiences (AASA), is related to compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB). However, we know little about who reports a stronger association between sexual abuse and CSB. We examined whether the association between sexual abuse and CSB varied across age-related sexual abuse categories, participants' age, genders, sexual orientations, relationship status, and countries of residence across 42 countries. We used data from the International Sex Survey among 82,233 adults (M<sub>age</sub> = 32.39; cisgender women: 55.8%) who completed online self-report measures. Results showed that even if all age-related categories of sexual abuse (i.e., CSA, AASA, and CSA + AASA) were significantly related to higher CSB with small effect sizes, CSA + AASA was more strongly related, followed by CSA, and then AASA. All forms of sexual abuse were more strongly related to CSB in younger participants, in cisgender men, and in single participants. Although CSA was related to higher CSB similarly across all sexual orientations, AASA and CSA + AASA were more strongly related to CSB among gay or lesbian, asexual, and queer or pansexual participants than among those reporting being heterosexual, homo- or heteroflexible, and another sexual orientation. Finally, the associations between sexual abuse and CSB were different across countries, with a complex pattern of findings. This large-scale, cross-cultural study supports the association between sexual abuse and CSB, providing a much-needed comprehensive depiction of the demographics linked to a stronger sexual abuse-CSB association.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144246200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Henry S G Close, Lewis Nitschinsk, Brendan P Zietsch, Fiona Kate Barlow
{"title":"Choosiness as a Predictor of Sexual (In)frequency in Single Heterosexual Adults.","authors":"Henry S G Close, Lewis Nitschinsk, Brendan P Zietsch, Fiona Kate Barlow","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03160-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03160-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing numbers of young men and women report celibacy or infrequent sex. In the present work, we consider \"choosiness\" as a potential correlate of partnered sexual activity for single people. We examined the tendency to be \"choosy\" in selecting a partner (i.e., choosiness) in two ways: choosiness based in reported essential characteristics in a partner (stated choosiness) and revealed by ratings of dating profiles (revealed choosiness). Results from a survey of 340 single, heterosexual, American participants (aged 18-40 years, 170 female) showed that choosiness relates to sexual frequency, but it depended on how it was measured. Stated choosiness was associated with more partnered sexual activity, whereas revealed choosiness was associated with engaging in less partnered sexual activity. These relationships remained significant even when controlling for pre-established correlates of sexual frequency, such as gender and self-rated attractiveness. This research provides a starting point for understanding choosiness and its role in single heterosexual adults' sexual experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144224156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefano Federici, Elia Mosconi, Maria Elena Rossler, Vittorio Mossuto
{"title":"Expressive Existential Psychoeducational Intervention Treatment for Maladaptive Sexual Behavior in a Boy with Trisomy 21 Syndrome.","authors":"Stefano Federici, Elia Mosconi, Maria Elena Rossler, Vittorio Mossuto","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03186-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03186-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this research was to provide a case report on the efficacy of an expressive existential psychoeducational intervention (EEPI) to reduce maladaptive sexual behaviors in an adolescent with intellectual disability. The method was based on a prospective longitudinal single-case assessment, using a descriptive approach, to assess the effectiveness of the intervention through the analysis of qualitative data obtained during a structured interview. We report the case of G, a 17-year-old male high school student with Trisomy 21 syndrome and moderate intellectual disability. G's parents requested an intervention to help their son acquire better adaptive sexual behavior skills-regarding appropriate management of masturbation, distinguishing between a public and a private place, managing aggression, and oppositional behavior-to avoid the risk of school exclusion and to improve his quality of sexual, emotional, and social life. Data on adaptive and maladaptive behaviors were collected using the Vineland-II and on sexual knowledge and behavior using the Sexual Knowledge and Behavior Assessment Tool. Both interviews were administered at the beginning (t1) and end (t2) of treatment. The Vineland-II was also administered 3 months after treatment (t3). The main outcomes of this case study concerned: (1) public/private management; (2) anger and aggression management; and (3) management of an autonomous masturbation path. Comparing the results of the pre- (t0) and post-treatment (t2) interviews and the Vineland-II administration at follow-up (t2), a significant reduction in G's maladaptive sexual behavior was observed. The EEPI, when carried out from a preventive perspective, was effective in the case of an adolescent with intellectual disability. The advantages and disadvantages of the EEPI model are discussed by comparing it with other pharmacological and behavioral treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144224157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sexual Orientation Disparity in Suicidality: The Indirect Effects of Perceived Pressure to Get Married, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness among Unmarried Chinese Adults.","authors":"Fangsong Liu, Eddie S K Chong, Qiyao Jiang","doi":"10.1007/s10508-025-03159-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03159-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study examined the indirect relationship between sexual orientation status and suicidality through perceived parental, social, and internalized pressure to get married, as well as perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. An online sample of 1420 Chinese unmarried adults (54.4% female, 41.8% male, and 3.9% non-binary; age: M = 25.4 years, SD = 4.8) completed self-report measures. The results showed that sexual minority individuals reported higher levels of perceived parental pressure to get married, social pressure to get married, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and suicidality, and lower levels of internalized parental pressure to get married compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Path analyses suggested that being a sexual minority was associated with increased suicidality through perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, as well as through social pressure to get married and then thwarted belongingness. Furthermore, being a sexual minority was indirectly associated with increased suicidality through internalized pressure to get married. These findings contribute to our understanding of how sexual orientation status contributes to suicidality among Chinese unmarried adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":8327,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Sexual Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144224158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}