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Volume 7
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Sexes, Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2026) – 16 articles

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23 pages, 2929 KB  
Article
Examining Sex Differences Across the Lifespan on the Mobile Half-Version of the Connors Continuous Performance Test
by Spenser Barry, Jordan Price, Chris Beasley and Len Lecci
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020031 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Viewed by 153
Abstract
Concussions exert a massive cost on our economic and healthcare systems. Many of the most commonly employed neurocognitive measures in concussion assessment have been shown to be psychometrically problematic. Additionally, norms are established from largely male populations. The present study investigates the use [...] Read more.
Concussions exert a massive cost on our economic and healthcare systems. Many of the most commonly employed neurocognitive measures in concussion assessment have been shown to be psychometrically problematic. Additionally, norms are established from largely male populations. The present study investigates the use of a validated and reliable measure of concussion sequelae, the mobile half-version of the Connors Continuous Performance Test 3rd Edition (CCPT-3), on a representative population to study the influence of sex and age on normative values collected at baseline. Baseline data were analyzed from 71,976 participants across a wide range of academic and athletic contexts, as well as healthcare settings. Multiple regressions examined the influence of sex as a function of age in different developmental groups: children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults. Sex effects emerged during childhood, peaked during adolescence, and decreased in adulthood. Females showed better accuracy (fewer commission and omission errors), whereas males had faster response speeds (hit-rate RT). Effect sizes were generally in the small to very small range (sex effect sizes ranged from Cohen’s d = 0.02 to 0.39). The findings highlight the importance of accounting for sex and age in cognitive test performance and underscore the impact of correcting for even small effects when working with large samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biological and Psychosocial Basis Underlying Sexual Response and Differences)
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13 pages, 558 KB  
Article
Drug Use, Mental Health, and Gender Identity Among Mexican University Students
by Xóchitl De San Jorge-Cárdenas, María del Carmen Gogeascoechea-Trejo, Patricia Pavón-León, María Cristina Ortiz-León, Monserrat Armenta-Reséndiz and Betzaida Salas-García
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020030 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Viewed by 147
Abstract
Drug use, mental health, and gender identity are complex phenomena influenced by multiple social, psychological, and cultural factors. Previous research indicates that the university stage represents a period of vulnerability for mental health, especially among students whose gender identity differs from the traditional [...] Read more.
Drug use, mental health, and gender identity are complex phenomena influenced by multiple social, psychological, and cultural factors. Previous research indicates that the university stage represents a period of vulnerability for mental health, especially among students whose gender identity differs from the traditional categories of man or woman. This study aimed to examine the association between gender identity, drug use, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among students at a public university in Mexico. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted through a public invitation survey among undergraduate students enrolled in a public university in Mexico. Data were collected using the Drug Use Questionnaire for University Students administered through the LimeSurvey platform. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, gender identity (man, woman, and other identity), drug use, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The results indicate that students who identified with another gender identity showed a higher likelihood of using the substances analyzed compared with those who identified as women, particularly prescription drugs and marijuana. Additionally, they presented higher odds of reporting anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with those who identified as men. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and support strategies to improve mental health among students with diverse gender identities. Full article
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15 pages, 260 KB  
Article
Psychological Distress and Well-Being in Relation to Sexual Minority Status Among Malaysian Undergraduates: Findings from a Multi-Institutional Survey
by Muhamad Nur Fariduddin, Ching Sin Siau, Norhayati Ibrahim, Bee Suan Wee, Chee Seong Low, Choy Qing Cham, Kai Shuen Pheh, Jocelyn Ker Sin Lee, Latha Ravindran, Meng Chuan Ho, Mimi Fitriana, Pei Boon Ooi, Ponnusamy Subramaniam, Roy Rillera Marzo, Sharifah Munirah Syed Elias, Suzanna Awang Bono, Lei Hum Wee, Hui Zhu Thew, Rosediani Muhamad and Caryn Mei Hsien Chan
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020029 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 166
Abstract
Psychological distress is increasing among university students, especially sexual minority individuals in Malaysia, who face stigma and challenges within a sociocultural and dual legal system. This study examined the relationship between sexual minority status and both negative (psychological strain, distress, suicidality) and positive [...] Read more.
Psychological distress is increasing among university students, especially sexual minority individuals in Malaysia, who face stigma and challenges within a sociocultural and dual legal system. This study examined the relationship between sexual minority status and both negative (psychological strain, distress, suicidality) and positive (self-esteem, purpose in life, social support, religiosity) mental health indicators among Malaysian undergraduates. A cross-sectional, multi-institutional survey was conducted utilizing an existing dataset, yielding a final analytical sample of 2244 participants (1870 heterosexual and 374 sexual minority students). Data were analyzed using Welch’s ANOVA and multiple logistic regression, controlling for demographic variables. Heterosexual students reported significantly lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and suicidality compared to gay, bisexual, and participants with other sexual orientation. In the fully adjusted model, sexual minority identity remained significantly associated with higher deprivation strain (aOR: 1.043), depression (aOR: 1.025), and suicidality (aOR: 1.117). Conversely, identifying as a sexual minority was linked to lower religious commitment (aOR: 0.961) and lower perceived family support (aOR: 0.943). Self-esteem and purpose in life lost statistical significance in the fully adjusted model. Sexual minority undergraduates in Malaysia face heightened psychological distress and suicidality, underscoring the need for comprehensive campus mental health interventions. Full article
18 pages, 1153 KB  
Review
The Multifaceted Role of Olfaction in Human Sexuality: A Narrative Review
by Marco Leuzzi, Giuseppe Seminara, Maria Carmela Zagari, Sabrina Bossio and Antonio Aversa
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020028 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 217
Abstract
Olfaction plays a fundamental yet often underappreciated role in human sexual behavior, attraction, and relationship dynamics. Beyond the debated existence of human pheromones, emerging evidence supports a broader framework of chemosensory communication influencing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of sexuality. This review synthesizes [...] Read more.
Olfaction plays a fundamental yet often underappreciated role in human sexual behavior, attraction, and relationship dynamics. Beyond the debated existence of human pheromones, emerging evidence supports a broader framework of chemosensory communication influencing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of sexuality. This review synthesizes recent literature examining the relationship between olfactory function and human sexual experience in a clinical context. We provide an overview of how olfactory capacities can impact on 3 types of close mating-related aspects: (1) chemosignals and socio-sexual effects, (2) olfactory function and sexual behavior, and (3) olfactory dysfunction and sexual outcomes. Accumulating evidence suggests that olfactory function is associated with sexual satisfaction, partner bonding, and relationship stability. Conversely, olfactory dysfunction, whether congenital or acquired, appears to negatively affect sexual motivation, intimacy, and emotional aspects of sexual experience. Current findings indicate that olfactory processing may represent a clinically relevant, yet often overlooked, component of sexual health. Integrating olfactory assessment into clinical andrological practice may provide additional insight in cases of unexplained sexual dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Exclusive Papers Collection of the Editorial Board of Sexes)
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18 pages, 818 KB  
Article
Disability, Gender, and Inequities in Perceived Quality of Sexuality Education: A Cross-Sectional Population Study
by Elena S. Rotarou, Andrea Yupanqui-Concha and Dikaios Sakellariou
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020027 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 259
Abstract
Sexuality education is a key component of sexual and reproductive rights; however, important inequities persist across populations, particularly among people with disabilities. This study examines perceived quality of sexuality education in Chile, with a primary focus on disability-related inequities and a specific analytic [...] Read more.
Sexuality education is a key component of sexual and reproductive rights; however, important inequities persist across populations, particularly among people with disabilities. This study examines perceived quality of sexuality education in Chile, with a primary focus on disability-related inequities and a specific analytic emphasis on women with disabilities. We analysed data from the 2022–2023 National Survey on Health, Sexuality, and Gender (n = 17,679). The outcome was self-reported perceived quality of sexuality education. Survey-weighted descriptive analyses and ordinal logistic regressions were conducted. One model included the full sample, and a second focused on women with disabilities (n = 2324). Predicted probabilities were estimated for key interactions. Nearly half of participants reported poor sexuality education (47.2%). Predicted probabilities indicated consistently lower probabilities of reporting good sexuality education among people with disabilities across gender groups and most age groups. Among women with disabilities, higher education (secondary: odds ratio (OR) = 2.53, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.84–3.49; tertiary: OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12–2.72), foreign nationality (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.27–6.50), and good self-rated health (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.14–2.66) were associated with higher perceived quality, indicating heterogeneity within this population. These findings highlight consistent disability-related inequities in the perceived quality of sexuality education and underscore the need for inclusive, accessible, and gender-sensitive approaches grounded in human rights. Full article
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19 pages, 288 KB  
Article
Sexual Touching While Sleeping: Occurrence, Context, Responses, and Perceptions of Sexual Assault Among Undergraduates
by Michelle Drouin and Tara Cornelius
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020026 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 729
Abstract
Sexual consent is central to cases of sexual assault and rape. Logically, sleeping persons cannot consent; yet there has been scant research examining the experience of sexual touching while sleeping. The current research is the first known to specifically examine sexual touching with [...] Read more.
Sexual consent is central to cases of sexual assault and rape. Logically, sleeping persons cannot consent; yet there has been scant research examining the experience of sexual touching while sleeping. The current research is the first known to specifically examine sexual touching with a sleeping partner, with a goal of understanding the contextual features surrounding, responses to, and perceptions of the legality and acceptability of these behaviors. Undergraduate participants from two universities (N = 724) completed several measures assessing their experience of sexual touching while sleeping, the context, sexual precedence, responses, and their perceptions of such touching. A significant proportion reported waking up to someone touching them sexually (n = 233; 32.2%), including genital touching and penetration, and about one in ten (n = 71; 9.8%) reported completely sleeping through a sexual act. Participants had been touched sexually while sleeping by a range of individuals from spouses to strangers, but it was more common among established sexual partners. Perceptions of legality and acceptability of sexual touching while sleeping were influenced by relationship context and sexual precedence. Meanwhile, immediate, longer-term, and affective responses to specific sexual touching while sleeping incidents varied by both relationship type and sexual precedence. This research provides important avenues for education and prevention efforts, particularly in light of the discordance between perceptions of legality and acceptability and current conceptualizations of consent and legal statutes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sexual Behavior and Attitudes)
15 pages, 266 KB  
Article
Sexual Objectification, Health and Well-Being in Spanish Women
by M. Pilar Matud, Lorena Medina, Carmen Rodríguez-Wangüemert and Ignacio Ibáñez
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020025 - 18 May 2026
Viewed by 382
Abstract
Sexual objectification is the treatment of a person as a body or a collection of body parts that are valued primarily for their sexual appeal. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relevance of sexual objectification to women’s health and [...] Read more.
Sexual objectification is the treatment of a person as a body or a collection of body parts that are valued primarily for their sexual appeal. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relevance of sexual objectification to women’s health and well-being across the life cycle, from middle adolescence to old age. Additionally, the relevance of age and education to sexual objectification and its association with traditional gender role attitudes was examined. This study was cross-sectional and the sample consisted of 6112 Spanish women between the ages of 16 and 85, who were assessed using seven questionnaires and scales. The results show that lower age and lower number of children were associated with greater importance of sexual and physical attractiveness and with a more sexualized image, although there were no differences between adolescent and emerging adult women. Greater importance placed on sexual and physical attractiveness, as well as total sexual objectification, was associated with greater mental distress, lower psychological well-being, lower life satisfaction, and lower self-esteem at every life stage. Greater importance placed on sexual and physical attractiveness was associated with more traditional gender role attitudes among all age groups, except for older women. We conclude that sexual objectification is a threat to women’s mental health and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Exclusive Papers Collection of the Editorial Board of Sexes)
10 pages, 239 KB  
Perspective
Time to Dump the Sex/Gender Dichotomy for Science and Society
by Anagha Joshi
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020024 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 568
Abstract
Women have been historically underrepresented in every step of scientific enquiry and, therefore, the knowledge of female bodies is lacking. Now the tide is turning to bring focus on the role of sex and gender in human health and disease. The increasing demands [...] Read more.
Women have been historically underrepresented in every step of scientific enquiry and, therefore, the knowledge of female bodies is lacking. Now the tide is turning to bring focus on the role of sex and gender in human health and disease. The increasing demands by publishers, funders, and policymakers to pay attention to both sex and gender are commendable. Nevertheless, the premise of the definitions of sex, framed as biological attributes of an individual, contrasting with gender, which is defined through the sociocultural roles, identities, and power structures, carries all pitfalls of the nature–nurture divide, undermining that they are deeply intertwined and interact continuously across the lifespan, shaping physiology and behavior. Current scientific studies rarely disentangle the two for etiological purposes, for their respective contributions to health outcomes. Despite this, there is a push to use both terms appropriately in research and society. This invariably results in the oversimplification of complex processes of sex/gender intertwining, leading to incomplete or misleading causal inferences. Here, I make a case for retiring the sex/gender etiological split in the scientific and public discourse and embracing sex/gender intertwining, rather than minimizing it. This will then enable researchers to focus on how they interact with other variables to produce phenotypes, bringing scientific clarity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Exclusive Papers Collection of the Editorial Board of Sexes)
12 pages, 521 KB  
Article
The Gendered Role of Resilience in First Responders in South Africa
by Anita Padmanabhanunni and Tyrone B. Pretorius
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020023 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 417
Abstract
First responders are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events and occupational stress, placing them at heightened risk for mental health difficulties. Despite the prominence of psychological resilience in first responder research, insufficient attention has been given to gender differences in how resilience functions [...] Read more.
First responders are routinely exposed to potentially traumatic events and occupational stress, placing them at heightened risk for mental health difficulties. Despite the prominence of psychological resilience in first responder research, insufficient attention has been given to gender differences in how resilience functions within male-dominated occupations. The present study investigated gender differences in the relationships between perceived stress, resilience, and mental health outcomes among South African first responders (n = 429). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5. Correlational and mediation analyses were conducted. There were no significant gender differences in overall levels of resilience. Perceived stress was associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD for both genders. Resilience showed significant direct protective effects for men across all mental health outcomes, whereas for women it was significantly associated only with depression and PTSD but not anxiety. Mediation analyses revealed that resilience mediated the relationship between perceived stress and mental health outcomes for men only. These findings suggest that resilience operates through gender-specific pathways. It underscores the importance of conceptualizing resilience as a contextually shaped process rather than solely an individual capacity in first responder populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)
21 pages, 679 KB  
Review
Endocrine Noise: Sex-Specific Disruption of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) Axis by Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
by Viktoria Xega, Martina Hong Yang and Jun-Li Liu
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020022 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1031
Abstract
Environmental chemicals are rarely considered stressors in the way that psychological or physical stressors are. Yet many endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interact with the body’s core stress response system. This review examines how EDCs alter hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) regulation and how biological sex influences those [...] Read more.
Environmental chemicals are rarely considered stressors in the way that psychological or physical stressors are. Yet many endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interact with the body’s core stress response system. This review examines how EDCs alter hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) regulation and how biological sex influences those responses. Drawing on human epidemiological data and experimental models, we describe how EDC exposure affects cortisol dynamics, feedback sensitivity, and adrenal signaling, with a particular focus on sex-dependent outcomes. We propose the concept of endocrine noise to describe how low-dose, often mixed EDC exposures introduce persistent interference into hormone signaling without necessarily causing overt endocrine deficiency or excess. In this framework, EDCs act as chronic, low-grade stressors that reset the timing, feedback precision, and rhythmic organization of the HPA axis rather than as isolated reproductive toxicants. We argue that EDCs should be understood as chronic, context-dependent stress modifiers that reshape sex-specific “risk architectures” for affective, metabolic, and immune disorders. Recognizing sex-specific HPA architecture and endocrine noise has immediate implications for study design and regulation, including the need for sex-stratified analyses, circadian-sensitive sampling of cortisol, and risk assessments that consider how the same exposure can push female and male stress systems in divergent directions. Full article
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13 pages, 362 KB  
Article
Sexual Cognitive Schemas Mediate the Relationship Between Personality and Sexual Function
by Zsuzsanna Kövi, Veronika Mészáros, Zsuzsanna Mirnics, Nahathai Wongpakaran, Tinakon Wongpakaran and Krisztina Hevesi
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020021 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 547
Abstract
Sexual cognitive schemas are central cognitive representations of sexual aspects of self that shape the interpretation of sexual experiences and may contribute to individual differences in sexual functioning. The present study aimed to validate the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context [...] Read more.
Sexual cognitive schemas are central cognitive representations of sexual aspects of self that shape the interpretation of sexual experiences and may contribute to individual differences in sexual functioning. The present study aimed to validate the Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC) in a Hungarian sample and to examine whether sexual cognitive schemas mediate the relationship between personality traits and sexual functioning. A total of 256 university students (202 females) completed the QCSASC and the Zuckerman–Kuhlman–Aluja Personality Questionnaire. Moreover, the Female Sexual Function Index was administered. The factor structure was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and associations among personality, schemas, and sexual function were tested using correlational, regression, and mediation analyses. Results supported a five-factor structure of the Hungarian QCSASC, identifying Helplessness, Incompetence, Rejection, Unattractiveness, and Unlovability schemas, all showing good internal consistency. Sexual cognitive schemas were positively related to Neuroticism and negatively to Extraversion. Female sexual function was related to the Incompetence schema. Personality traits showed no direct link with female sexual functioning; however, through the sexual cognitive schema, there was a significant indirect link between personality (Extraversion, Neuroticism) and female sexual functioning. These findings suggest that sexual cognitive schemas can represent a pathway between personality traits and sexual functioning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Exclusive Papers Collection of the Editorial Board of Sexes)
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13 pages, 509 KB  
Article
Development and Psychometric Validation of the Attitudes Toward Contraceptive Use Scale (ACUS) in University Students
by María Fernández-Martínez, Sebastián Sanz-Martos, Cristina Fernández-Martínez, Ganna Ovsyeyenko and Carmen Álvarez-Nieto
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020020 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Adolescence and youth are key stages for acquiring responsible sexual behaviour. Previous research has focused on measuring knowledge; however, in order to achieve the goal of developing safe sexual behaviour, it is necessary to complement this with measures of attitudes, for which there [...] Read more.
Adolescence and youth are key stages for acquiring responsible sexual behaviour. Previous research has focused on measuring knowledge; however, in order to achieve the goal of developing safe sexual behaviour, it is necessary to complement this with measures of attitudes, for which there is currently a lack of valid and reliable measurement tools specifically focused on attitudes toward contraceptive use. The objective of this research is to develop and psychometrically validate the Attitudes Toward Contraceptive Use Scale (ACUS) in university students. A cross-sectional correlational validation study was designed using Item Response Theory. The sample consisted of 411 nursing students aged between 18 and 25 years. The final version of the scale, comprising 12 items, was evaluated using the Rasch Rating Scale Model (Andrich model), and its reliability was assessed in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. The Rasch model showed an excellent overall fit, high item reliability (0.989), adequate person reliability (0.81), and good temporal stability (ICC = 0.796). The ACUS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing attitudes toward contraception among university students. It can be used to identify less favourable attitudinal profiles toward contraceptive use and subsequently guide educational interventions. Full article
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14 pages, 255 KB  
Review
New Directions for Sexual Consent in a Digitized World: A Narrative Review
by Rebecca Fisico, Margaret C. McKinnon and Heather Moulden
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020019 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1139
Abstract
Sexual interactions are complex human exchanges that are further complicated in the digital domain. This is because the introduction of technology to sexual interactions has prompted change in not only sexual activity but also communication pertaining to consent. Challenges have emerged in defining, [...] Read more.
Sexual interactions are complex human exchanges that are further complicated in the digital domain. This is because the introduction of technology to sexual interactions has prompted change in not only sexual activity but also communication pertaining to consent. Challenges have emerged in defining, interpreting, and communicating sexual consent within a digital context. Accordingly, it is critical to understand how sexual consent is understood and communicated within digital contexts. Herein, the literature concerning digital sexual consent was reviewed and critically analyzed. This narrative review describes digital sexual consent practices, as well as critically analyzes the literature pertaining to sexual consent to identify similarities and differences between in-person and digital consent practices. It is suggested that digital sexual consent should be viewed as a subset of sexual consent rather than a separate sexual consent practice. Future directions pertaining to research and application are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sexual Behavior and Attitudes)
11 pages, 778 KB  
Article
Self-Reported Aspects of Vulvodynia Assessed Through the Administration of an Online Questionnaire
by Cristina Rizzo, Antonella Verrone, Sofia Galeazzi, Lidia Morgante and Giuseppe Morgante
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020018 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 489
Abstract
Vulvodynia is a chronic gynecological condition characterized by unexplained vulvar pain, which may significantly impact every aspect of women’s quality of life, encompassing physical, psychological, and social well-being. Due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and associated comorbidities, vulvodynia is often misdiagnosed and/or not [...] Read more.
Vulvodynia is a chronic gynecological condition characterized by unexplained vulvar pain, which may significantly impact every aspect of women’s quality of life, encompassing physical, psychological, and social well-being. Due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and associated comorbidities, vulvodynia is often misdiagnosed and/or not adequately treated. This descriptive observational study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire, which was distributed through social media channels and included 29 questions (25 multiple-choice and four open-ended questions) and aimed to investigate participants’ most frequent symptoms, comorbidities, impact on quality of life, and treatment efficacy and costs. Analyzing a total of 221 answers, we found that burning (85%) and abrasion/irritation sensation (73%) are the most common symptoms, and they are most frequently localized in the vestibular area, while irritable bowel syndrome (35%) is the most common comorbidity. A significant negative effect on individual functioning was confirmed, also due to a noticeable diagnostic delay (4.5 years on average) and treatments’ prohibitive costs potentially impairing participants’ compliance. Our study provides valuable insights into self-reported aspects of women affected by vulvodynia, raising healthcare professionals’ awareness of this issue. Better knowledge of peculiar aspects of vulvodynia may help improve its diagnosis and promote a more personalized and efficient therapeutic approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Exclusive Papers Collection of the Editorial Board of Sexes)
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20 pages, 870 KB  
Article
Let’s Write About It: Rethinking Sexual Consent Through Therapeutic Writing with Women in Chile
by Anita Tobar-Henríquez, Bárbara Berger-Correa, Sofía Monsalves and Ernesto Guerra
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020017 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 872
Abstract
As high rates of sexual violence worldwide have increasingly been met with educational initiatives promoting sexual consent as a core preventive strategy, it becomes crucial to understand how consent is actually conceptualized in specific sociocultural contexts. This study examines how a group of [...] Read more.
As high rates of sexual violence worldwide have increasingly been met with educational initiatives promoting sexual consent as a core preventive strategy, it becomes crucial to understand how consent is actually conceptualized in specific sociocultural contexts. This study examines how a group of adult women in Chile conceptualize sexual consent and how their understandings align with, expand or diverge from the definition promoted by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), a widely adopted international framework. Using a therapeutic writing methodology designed to support emotional safety and reflective depth, 34 women completed a collective writing workshop. For this paper, the main writing exercise was analyzed through thematic analysis. Results show three overarching themes: sexual consent as a self-directed and desire-aligned experience; the intricacies of giving in to sexual encounters as shaped by social expectations, emotional pressures, and relational considerations; and the tensions when differentiating consent from giving in, a distinction experienced as meaningful yet fluid and learned over time. Together, these findings reveal that our participants’ conceptualizations of sexual consent extend beyond normative international models, highlighting the need for attuned consent frameworks and educational approaches designed to prevent sexual violence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sexual Behavior and Attitudes)
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19 pages, 256 KB  
Article
Blurred Lines: Exploring Bisexual Identity in the Face of Invalidation in a Spanish-Speaking Sample
by Alejandro Kepp Termini and Marta Evelia Aparicio-García
Sexes 2026, 7(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7020016 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1502
Abstract
(1) Background: This article explores the qualitative dimensions of bisexual identity through the lived experiences of bisexual individuals. (2) Methods: Drawing on an online questionnaire completed by 226 participants from a Spanish-speaking sample, the study uses a grounded theory-based analysis of participant narratives. [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This article explores the qualitative dimensions of bisexual identity through the lived experiences of bisexual individuals. (2) Methods: Drawing on an online questionnaire completed by 226 participants from a Spanish-speaking sample, the study uses a grounded theory-based analysis of participant narratives. (3) Results: The analysis identifies key components of bisexual identity, such as self-recognition, fluidity, and community belonging, as well as recurrent experiences of invalidation, promiscuity stereotypes, and intracommunity discrimination. The findings highlight the processes by which participants navigate and define their bisexuality, emphasizing the interaction between personal introspection, contact with audiovisual media, societal perceptions, and external validation in identity formation. (4) Conclusions: These results provide a nuanced exploration of how bisexual identities are constructed amid persistent challenges of invalidation, erasure, and limited community recognition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sexual Diversity: Orientation, Gender, Identity, and Attraction)
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