Sexes

Stealthing, the nonconsensual removal of a condom during sexual intercourse, is a prevalent yet underreported form of sexual misconduct, particularly among college students. This white paper examines the legal landscape, gaps in responses, and the burden of stealthing on college students. It presents actionable strategies for college campuses to combat stealthing, including updating policies, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy, training staff, providing survivor-centered support services, integrating cultural competency, and ensuring transparent enforcement of processes. These strategies aim to empower college campuses to prevent and reduce stealthing, promote informed consent, and enhance survivor support. Full article

Measures of sexual orientation and family functioning are widely used among sexual minority populations. However, data on whether these measures are culturally syntonic and responsive to the needs of a particular population, such as Hispanic sexual minority youth (HSMY), are lacking. Therefore, this study assessed whether HSMY understand measures of sexual orientation and family functioning as intended. Authors conducted individual interviews with five HSMY to evaluate the face validity of a measure of sexual orientation (i.e., Klein Sexual Orientation Grid) and measures of family functioning (i.e., Parent–Adolescent Communication Scale, Parenting Practices Scale, Parental Monitoring of Peers). Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. For the sexual orientation measure, five themes were identified related to the: (1) clarity of questions, (2) challenging nature of questions, (3) difficulty of responses, (4) suggestions to improve response options, and (5) need for questions to include gender identity. For family functioning, three themes were identified: (1) relevance of the measures to sexual minority youth, (2) the importance of understanding family history and cultural context, and (3) capturing the context of how sexual minority status and disclosure impact family functioning. HSMY had generally positive feedback regarding these measures; however, they also suggested specific changes associated with wording and specificity of the measures to make them more relevant to HSMY’s unique needs. Full article

Young adults diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI), intellectual disability (ID), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience significant barriers in accessing sexual health education, contributing to poor sexual and relational well-being. The Educational Intervention and Training Program on Sexuality and Affectivity (eITPoSA) was developed to address this gap through a structured psycho-educational approach tailored to their cognitive and emotional needs. A pilot study was conducted with 12 participants diagnosed with SMI, ID, and ASD, who attended the training sessions covering topics such as body knowledge, genital sexuality, privacy, and hygiene. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were carried out using structured monitoring grids, with data analyzed through descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and Cohen’s d to evaluate effect sizes. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all domains, particularly in body knowledge (31.43% to 86.65%), genital sexuality (15% to 90%), and hygiene (47.27% to 96.36%). These findings suggest that the eITPoSA program effectively enhances sexual and relational competencies in young adults diagnosed with SMI, ID, and ASD. Future research should focus on expanding the sample size and exploring long-term retention of educational outcomes to further validate the program’s efficacy. Full article

The sharing of explicit sexual images through virtual platforms has grown exponentially in recent generations, causing various issues such as low self-esteem, sextortion, and cyberbullying, among others. Therefore, it is imperative to have a deeper understanding of this issue. This research aims to construct an instrument that allows for the identification of the motivations that lead to the practice of sexting in young university students. The research had two phases: conducting an Exploratory Factor Analysis, which included 320 university students (48.2% female and 51.8% male) aged between 18 and 30 (M = 20.4; SD = 2.62). In the second phase, 1056 university students (55.9% female and 44.1% male) within the same age range as the first phase participated (M = 22.38; SD = 2.64), for whom a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted. The final version of the scale consisted of a unidimensional model comprising eight items that assess internal and external motivations leading to the practice of sexting, with an adequate fit index (CFI = 0.991, TLI = 0.988, and RMSEA = 0.068). Additionally, an omega coefficient of 0.93 was found, indicating adequate reliability. It was concluded that the Sexting Motivation Scale (EMS by its initials in Spanish) demonstrates good reliability and construct validity, making it suitable for measuring motivation for sexting. Full article

Among the models of romantic relationships, consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is one in which several affective and/or sexual relationships are allowed simultaneously. This type of relationship, still considered non-normative, has experienced a considerable increase in recent years. However, research is still limited, and studies on the subject in Spain are scarce. To better understand the differences and similarities between monogamous and CNM relationships, this study investigated both relational models, divided by sex, for four factors concerning romantic relationships: relationship satisfaction, sexual desire, jealousy, and conflict resolution styles. In a sample of 210 persons, the results showed that CNM females reported significantly higher levels of consensus and dyadic sexual desire than monogamous females. Jealousy levels were similar in both types of relationships. People in CNM relationships displayed greater conflict resolution skills through negotiation and compromise, whereas monogamous females reported using the non-constructive style of conflict engagement more than CNM females and monogamous males. CNM males indicated a greater use of withdrawal compared to CNM females. Overall, females showed more passionate jealousy than males. This investigation highlights the importance of studying romantic relationships and their different models. Full article

Recent legal reforms incorporating the concept of sexual consent into the Penal Code, alongside high-profile scandals involving male idol groups and comedians, have heightened societal attention to sexual crimes in Japan. Although studies have extensively examined this topic, findings have been predominantly from Western or English-speaking countries, which raises questions regarding their applicability to other cultural contexts. To address this gap, this study examined whether the results of prior research could be generalized to Japan. This study examined six hypotheses derived from previous studies. Using a vignette-based online survey (N = 748), participants read a hypothetical sexual assault case and answered questions on sentencing, negative social reactions, and victim/perpetrator blaming. An analysis revealed that only one hypothesis was supported: respondents recommended longer sentences for perpetrators when the victim was male rather than female. Additionally, women were more likely to exhibit egocentric reactions, such as expressing more anger toward the perpetrators than the victims, than men. No other hypothesized gender-based differences, which included victim-blaming or harsher sentencing by male observers, were supported. These findings highlight the risks of generalizing research findings across cultural contexts and emphasize the importance of conducting culturally specific studies. Full article

Due to constantly evolving technology, a new challenge has entered the relationship landscape: the inclusion of robots as emotional and intimate partners. This article raises the question of the degree to which companionship and intimacy may be fulfilled by robots. Three hundred and fourteen undergraduates, the majority of whom were first- or second-year college students, responded to an online survey on robot acceptance. Factor analysis identified two constructs, which the authors labeled as simulated companionship (e.g., robots as companions/helpful assistants) and simulated intimacy (e.g., robots as intimate partners–emotional and sexual). Data analysis revealed a difference between companionship and intimacy regarding student robot acceptance for home use. Overall, there was greater acceptance of robots as companions than as intimate partners. Group differences for simulated companionship were found for gender, sexual values, commitment to religion, and sexual orientation. While robots may enhance various elements of human life, the data revealed the limits of outsourcing emotional intimacy, companionship, and sex to machines. Full article

Bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) is a multifaceted spectrum of consensual sexual practices, that has long intrigued the psychological community for its implications on mental health and personality. While previous research has shed light on its psychopathological aspects, less is known about the distinct psychosexual dimensions that characterize individuals who assume dominant or submissive roles within these dynamics. Our research aims to identify differences in personality traits between dominant and submissive individuals and explore the relationship between BDSM roles and mental health outcomes. While previous studies have explored personality traits in BDSM practitioners, research specifically examining the associations between BDSM roles and multiple psychological constructs remains limited. To address this, we employed Bayesian methods with non-informative priors, including ANOVA and linear regression, to evaluate the associations between self-identified BDSM roles and psychological constructs with the specific intent to build informative priors for future research. A sample of 99 BDSM practitioners from online forums participated, providing responses across several psychometric instruments. The study utilized comprehensive psychometric evaluations, including the Big Five Inventory for personality assessment, the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory for hypersexuality, the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale for sensation seeking, the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, and the General Anxiety Disorder scale for anxiety. Bayesian regression analysis revealed that dominant practitioners exhibit lower hypersexuality and agreeableness, while submissive practitioners show higher levels of agreeableness, depression, hypersexuality, and sensation seeking. These findings highlight distinct psychosexual profiles associated with BDSM roles and provide several implications for mental health professionals working with BDSM practitioners, emphasizing the need to assess and address underlying psychological factors. Future research should further explore these psychosexual dynamics to develop targeted interventions for enhancing psychological well-being and relationship satisfaction within the BDSM community. Full article

Foreign bodies in urological patients are commonly found in the lower urinary tract, especially in the bladder and urethra. Items such as pens, pencils, wires, and cables are often inserted for erotic stimulation, typically associated with alcohol intoxication or psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to present the adverse events of non-conventional sexual manipulation and the harmful effects of using atypical objects for masturbation purposes. The study presents a series of case reports describing patients with self-inflicted foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract, collected over 20 years at a single medical center. Most patients were admitted to the hospital with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) and signs of infection, such as abdominal pain and fever. Only 6 out of 12 patients revealed their intention regarding foreign body insertion. Additionally, 9 out of 12 patients did not attend the follow-up visit. Self-inflicted foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract vary in type and motive. Patients may be reluctant to disclose these circumstances, complicating diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to serious health risks and a reduced quality of life. Full article

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities experience an increased risk for sexual victimization. Because these rates are reported in aggregate, little is known about the unique experiences of sexual violence among individuals with differences of sex development/intersex variations (DSD/I). The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of sexual victimization in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with DSD/I as part of a larger qualitative study exploring experiences of minority stress, stigma, and resilience. Participants were recruited through multidisciplinary care clinics and DSD/I support groups in the United States and the Netherlands. Data on sexual experiences and sexual health were analyzed thematically, with a specific focus on reports of sexual victimization. Of the 20 participants, 25% reported experiences of sexual violence. Experiences were reported across gender identities and DSD/I diagnoses. Participants described experiences as (a) resulting from DSD/I, (b) exacerbated by DSD/I, or (c) healthcare practices experienced as sexual violence. Medicalization, early loss of (bodily) autonomy, and cisgender heteronormative reproductive societal norms were reported as possible factors associated with sexual victimization experiences. The sexual victimization of individuals with DSD/I appears prevalent and associated with specific risk factors and, therefore, deserves clinical and scientific attention. Full article

Climate action represents the most comprehensive of the 2015 United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in that climate change impacts all other goals. Urban overpopulation is a primary cause, as energy consumption is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions directing climate change. The population increase origin is attributable to the agricultural/urban developments that became geographically widespread approximately 6000 years ago. Simultaneously, religious belief stressed multiple children, with women obligated to produce them. This female duty created gender inequality and reduced the health and well-being of women, as pregnancy is a noted risk factor for decreased lifetime health. Regardless of the detrimental risk to their health and well-being, the gender inequality, and the adverse effects of birthing multiple children regarding climate action, women today continue to feel obliged to reproduce appropriately. This burden requires change to meet the three sustainable development goals of good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), and climate action (SDG 13). An author-developed mindfulness-based psychoanalytic narrative research method presents a means for promoting such change based on a qualitative narrative analysis of the responses of several participants regarding its success in clarifying the values of these women in overcoming career-related burnout. Full article

Sexual violence among school-aged girls is a global health problem. Research has shown that school-aged girls experience high rates of sexual violence that often go unreported. In Kenya, one in three girls experiences sexual violence before the age of 18. Sexual violence against girls can prevent them from safely attending school and cause health issues that affect school performance. This qualitative study explored community and environmental factors associated with sexual violence against school-aged girls in Kitui County, Kenya. A total of 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from Kitui South Sub County. The stakeholders were from six sectors, including the police, health, education, community, religious, and criminal justice sectors. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis to gain an understanding of the stakeholder’s perspectives and knowledge relating to sexual violence against school-aged girls. Stakeholders frequently identified the criminal justice system, culture and traditional beliefs, and threats to well-being as barriers to reporting sexual violence offenses. Girls who experience sexual violence often contend with shame from the community, and the effects of stigma include loss of resources, additional violence, poorer marriage prospects, unplanned pregnancies, school dropouts, or abandonment. Perpetrators often threatened or bribed the families of girls who experienced sexual violence with gifts or monetary incentives to prevent them from reporting the crime to local authorities, while the criminal justice system itself presents numerous challenges for victims. The reporting of sexual violence could be increased by focusing on intervention strategies that challenge attitudes, norms, and behaviors rooted in gender inequality. By addressing the underlying causes of stigma and inequality, we can create a safer environment for school-aged girls to report sexual violence and seek justice. Full article

This paper explores the ways that sex workers in one Canadian city cultivate resilience in their workplaces. In 2017–2019, a period following the enactment of Canada’s revised prostitution law, a cross-section of active sex workers (N = 59) from Victoria, Canada, were interviewed about what they do to keep safe in their sex work jobs, including what they do before or during dates, how their strategies for safety have changed over time, how they draw on their larger networks, and what resources they wish they could access to improve their abilities to remain safe. Using an ecological framework of resilience, our findings show that, despite job precarity, stigma, and criminalisation, participants were actively involved in developing strategies to keep safe at work. Their resilience is a combination of factors unique to each worker’s social location and their access to workplace safety measures, including screening techniques and tools, diverse social networks, and safe working locations. We call for a public health approach to sex work that builds on workers’ strengths and enacts policies that aim to dismantle the structural environments of risk in their occupation. Full article

(1) Background: The climacteric phase is a crucial period in a woman’s life, due to the changes that affect both her physical and psychological well-being. This study aims to explore the psychological risks associated with the climacteric period in Spanish women, evaluating the influence of conformity to female gender norms. (2) Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 429 women, using surveys to assess psychological risk (GHQ-12) and conformity to gender norms (CFNI-45). The sample was recruited from central Spain, covering women aged 45–64 years. (3) Results: 20% of the women showed signs or suspicion of psychological pathology, with a higher prevalence in younger women. Participants displayed greater conformity to gender norms related to domestic chores, but less conformity to norms of sexual fidelity and thinness. Health perception was identified as significantly influencing psychological risk and conformity to the norm of thinness, acting as a moderator in this relationship. (4) Conclusions: The study indicates that age and conformity to female gender norms influence psychological risk during the climacteric phase. Younger women and those with greater conformity to the norm of thinness exhibited higher psychological vulnerability. This highlights the need for interventions that address these factors in order to promote emotional well-being and a positive perception of health during this stage of life. Full article

This study explores the complexities of women’s self-representation on social media, examining its potential detrimental effects and consequences. This study examines image exposure through the lens of Machine Learning, within the framework of Instagram’s visual culture. By examining digital content and its impact on users, this study aims to shed light on the detrimental effects of objectification and harmful stereotypes on individuals and society. In this study, we explore women’s self-representation through the portrayal of their bodies. Leveraging Google Vision API, we investigate the feasibility of automating the identification of imagery among women users located in Mexico. Our findings reveal that Google Vision API is a useful tool for detecting racy and adult content. We identify a quantitative evidence between clothing and body parts in these images, suggesting that women often share photos in revealing attire. Contrasting conventional survey and manual labeling methods, our results highlight the potential use of machine learning techniques to analyze this sort of imagery. The analysis reveals that over 90% of the examined images contain some degree of nudity or provocative poses. These findings provide valuable insights into the self-representation of women on social media, highlighting prevailing visual trends and their potential sociocultural implications. Full article

Our study addresses prostitution as a phenomenon linked to the feminization of poverty, the exploitation of women, and gender inequality, highlighting the role of male demand in its perpetuation. Spain is positioned as one of the main destinations for prostitution, with a high incidence of men paying for sex, normalizing this practice. Male motivations, classified in categories such as loneliness, risk attraction, domination, and validation of masculinity, reinforce objectification and violence against women. The aim of this study is to explore the different motivational typologies of prostitution consumption perceived by the Spanish population, as well as the perceived differences between men and women with respect to these typologies. With a sample of 198 young Spaniards (57.1% female, M = 22.5 years), we used the Motives for Prostitution Consumption Scale (MCP). Factor analyses identified two main factors: experimentation and attraction to the forbidden and sexual needs, satisfaction, and companionship, consistent with previous typologies in the literature. Results revealed that women perceive control and dominance as predominant motivations, while men emphasize sexual and affective needs. The MPC demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency indices (α ≥ 0.70) and the ability to discriminate between groups with different perceptions of the motivations of women and men. Limitations include a predominantly young university sample and the need for further validation with more diverse populations. The study reinforces the importance of analyzing male motivations for prostitution use in order to design educational strategies to promote gender equality and reduce prostitution. Full article

The notion of resilience has been widely invoked as that essential resource by which sex workers may endure, cope, or thrive despite encountering adversities and stressors. A useful definition within the resilience discourse around sex work is the ability to connect, reconnect, and resist disconnection in response to hardships, adversities, and trauma. In this article, we will examine the history of ‘resilience’ and show how it has been ubiquitously applied to sex workers in some Pacific Island settings. The resounding message of resilience discourse is that sex workers must learn to cope, accommodate, and adapt themselves to conditions that oppress them, and in fact, presuppose a continued acceptance of a degraded place in the world. Rather than resistance as a political action aimed at changing the social, institutional, and economic structures that have placed sex workers there, resilience shifts the onus onto the individual sex worker or her community support to learn to adapt to those conditions. Resilience strategies may be pragmatic but, in the end, to present these as any kind of solution to sex worker struggles becomes little more than victim blaming. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical life period marked by significant vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours. Comprehensive sex education offers better sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. Aim: We aimed to analyse the effectiveness of sex education interventions on reducing risk behaviours among adolescents. Methods: A systematic peer review was conducted. The databases consulted were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials published between 2013 and 2023 and methodological quality ≥ 5 points as per the Van Tulder scale. Results: A total of 255 studies were identified, with 25 finally selected. Of them, sixteen dealt with non-condom use, one was about early sexarche, and eight combined several risk behaviours. There was predominance of in-person teaching at schools with lectures and varied activities. The sample was predominantly comprised by girls aged between 14 and 16 years old. Certain variability regarding content, technique, number of sessions, duration, locus, and teaching modality and staff was observed in the com-prehensive sex education interventions. Almost all the interventions were effective in reducing risky sexual behaviours; however, two studies failed to achieve a reduction in risky sexual behaviours. Full article

Understanding the factors influencing the age of sexual initiation among adolescents is crucial for addressing risky behaviours and supporting healthy development. This study aimed to identify determinants of sexual initiation age among Polish adolescents, focusing on gender differences and 15 factors related to lifestyle, family, school, and social environment. The analysis involved 3296 Polish adolescents aged 15–17 who participated in the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in 2018. The Cox proportional hazard model (aligned with censored data) revealed that frequent use of psychoactive substances is the main predictor of the age of sexual initiation (HR = 5.20; 95% CI: 3.66–7.38), with even moderate use having an impact (HR = 2.81; 95% CI: 2.04–3.86). Gender was not found to significantly influence the age of initiation, but the determinants did vary by gender. For boys, high physical activity and intensive socialising with peers are important factors influencing the age of sexual initiation. For girls, a positive self-assessment of appearance is more strongly associated with earlier initiation, while good academic performance and family support have a delaying effect. Effective intervention programs should consider these diverse determinants since they significantly shape adolescents’ decisions about sexual activity and their ensuing psychological experiences. Full article