Search Results (312)

Background/Objectives: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common yet underrecognized consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS) with multidimensional determinants spanning neurological, physical, and psychosocial domains. However, the relative and incremental contribution of fatigue compared with disability and psychological factors remains insufficiently clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction in MS and to identify independent and incremental predictors using a hierarchical analytical framework. Methods: In this cross-sectional case–control study, 140 patients with MS and 140 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed. Sexual functioning was evaluated using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19). Fatigue severity, anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, disability (EDSS), and quality of life were measured using validated instruments. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted within the MS cohort to determine independent predictors of MSISQ-19 domain and total scores and to evaluate the incremental contribution of fatigue. Results: Sexual dysfunction was significantly more prevalent in the MS group compared with controls (70.7% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.001). Patients with MS demonstrated higher fatigue, anxiety, depression, and poorer body image, self-esteem, and quality of life (all p < 0.001). Within the MS cohort, individuals with sexual dysfunction exhibited greater symptom burden and disability. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that fatigue produced the largest increase in explained variance across all MSISQ-19 domains (ΔR² range: 0.11–0.19) and remained the strongest independent predictor (β range: 0.29–0.42; p ≤ 0.001). Anxiety retained independent associations with selected domains, whereas disability indices did not remain independently significant after adjustment. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction in MS reflects a multidimensional burden extending beyond neurological impairment. Fatigue demonstrated the most consistent associations across sexual dysfunction domains, with anxiety contributing to selected aspects of functioning. Given the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Multidimensional assessment incorporating fatigue and psychological factors may improve the identification of clinically relevant and potentially modifiable determinants within comprehensive MS care. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but remains under-recognized in routine care. This study aimed to quantify the burden of SD in men and women with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), describe sex-stratified patterns across primary/secondary/tertiary domains, and examine associations with fatigue and MS-related health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, RRMS participants were voluntarily recruited online via a QR code linking to a Google Forms survey. Men completed the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), and women the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). MS-specific SD domains were assessed using the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ), alongside the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire (MSQOL-54). Sex differences were tested using parametric/non-parametric methods as appropriate, with false discovery rate (FDR) and Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results: Thirty-seven participants were included (16 men; 21 women). Mean age did not differ by sex (35.9 ± 4.0 vs. 38.9 ± 10.4 years; p = 0.23). All participants reported at least some degree of difficulty across MSISQ domains. Among men, 87.5% screened positive for erectile dysfunction within this sample (mild 37.5%, mild-to-moderate 12.5%, moderate 12.5%, severe 25.0%). When dysfunction type was defined as the highest MSISQ domain score, secondary SD was most frequent in both sexes (75.0% men; 76.2% women; p = 0.49). Women showed higher secondary domain scores at the uncorrected level (p = 0.04), but this did not survive FDR correction. In HRQoL and symptom measures, women reported markedly higher fatigue (FSS 46.1 ± 12.4 vs. 25.5 ± 12.7; p_FDR < 0.001) and poorer physical health indices, including pain-related outcomes. Conclusions: SD has represented a substantial burden within this RRMS sample, with secondary domain predominance in both sexes, highlighting the clinical relevance of symptom-related and functional interference. These findings support the value of multidimensional sexual health assessment in clinical research settings and may be relevant for clinical assessment and future research in MS. Full article

On the 25 September 1987, CBS aired the first episode of Beauty and the Beast. This television fantasy romance centred on the chaste relationship between Catherine Chandler (Linda Hamilton), a New York socialite turned District Attorney investigator, and the beastly Vincent, a man with leonine features who lives in a secret commune of outcasts beneath the city, played by Ron Perlman, but designed by Rick Baker. This article examines Vincent as a core part of Beauty and the Beast’s appeal and as a sight for affective spectacle. It will argue that due to television’s ability to provide audiences with intimacy and proximity, as well as Alexia Smit’s theories of tele-affectivity, Vincent, as a character and as part of the scenography of the television show, allows for “a multisensory, situated experience”. Taking a historical materialist approach, this article will examine the initial reaction to Vincent as a character in the prerelease material and the critical reception upon the release of the first season. It will also explore ideas of responsibility in the creation of Vincent and the tension and collaboration that take place between Perlman and Baker. Full article

Propitiating, or “adopting” child spirits is a traditional practice in Thailand that briefly joined a transnational trend in the mid 2010s of adopting dolls that had the look and feel of the realistic reborn dolls that were trendy in the United States in the 1990s. These “angel dolls,” or luk thep, are a recent innovation in the diverse practices of propitiating child spirits that highlight the intimate, familial, and affective dimensions of these spiritual practices. In recent decades new iterations of child spirit propitiation have emerged focusing on intimacy with the spirit, and the shifting aesthetics of the material form away from human remains or abstractions, to increasingly life-like or appealingly child-like material forms, and the increasing interest in mass-produced commodity forms of child spirits. A new-animist analytic identifies within these practices forms of personhood that are inter-dependent and relational. Full article

The article explores letter writing as both an artistic practice and a relational method of inquiry. Through an exchange of letters between two academics, the authors reflect on how their correspondence deepened their relationship and created space for honest, vulnerable communication. Their exchange began while collaborating on a program addressing racism, where they discovered that sharing personal stories could serve as a foundation for building authentic relationships across difference. By speaking openly about fears and truths typically hidden in academic spaces, their writing resisted the isolation of the academy and transformed silence into collective expression and action. The article includes the letters and poetry that emerged from this exchange, presenting storytelling as a liberatory and decolonizing practice grounded in feminist and decolonial traditions. The authors show how writing can simultaneously function as theory, resistance, and renewal. They ask where creative scholarly passions originate, how social location shapes the pursuit of justice, and what nurtures emerging ideas. Through critical reflection on their vulnerabilities and the process of building trust, they position letter writing as both creative expression and method. Meaning is generated through the act of writing itself, which becomes an invitation to activism and courageous storytelling. Ultimately, they argue that letter writing is an art form and a way of knowing that sustains continuous learning, deepens connection, and inspires action. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often occurs during early adulthood and substantially affects physical, psychological, and relational well-being. Although sexual health is a fundamental component of quality of life, it is rarely addressed in clinical practice and remains insufficiently explored in research. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of individuals with IBD regarding sexuality and intimate relationships. Methods: Qualitative phenomenological design was adopted. Nineteen adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis were purposively recruited from a gastroenterology and endoscopy unit of a university hospital in Southern Italy. Data were collected through in-depth, audio-recorded interviews conducted in Italian, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Cohen’s phenomenological method. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria were applied to ensure methodological rigor. Results: Five main themes and two subthemes emerged. Participants reported that IBD profoundly affected their sexual lives, not only through physical symptoms but also by eliciting emotional distress and avoidance behaviors. Stigmatization of symptoms such as incontinence and bloating frequently led to withdrawal from physical intimacy. Changes in body image, including weight fluctuations, scarring, and fear of a possible stoma, were associated with feelings of shame and self-alienation. Sexuality was often described as mechanical and emotionally detached, although some participants reported processes of relational reconnection. Concerns about relationship stability and uncertainty about the future were common, alongside a persistent lack of communication with healthcare professionals regarding sexual health. Conclusions: Sexual health in people with IBD is essential yet frequently overlooked. A holistic and empathetic approach that integrates sexual health into routine IBD care may enhance emotional well-being, improve partner communication, and strengthen the overall quality of care. Full article

Loneliness poses a significant risk to the physical and mental well-being of older individuals, making it a pressing public health concern. Particularly for minority groups like elderly single and widowed Black women, the consequences of loneliness can be even more pronounced. To gain deeper insights into the experiences of loneliness and coping strategies used by these women, a qualitative phenomenological research study was conducted, involving interviews with fourteen such individuals. The study revealed four main themes: lonelier with age; looking beyond the family for intimacy; family responses to loneliness; and coping with loneliness. Irrespective of living arrangements, all participants acknowledged experiencing varying degrees of loneliness. Despite having extensive social networks, many struggled with feelings of loneliness, alienation, and a lack of emotional closeness and connection. Consequently, these findings emphasize the importance of addressing loneliness in elderly single and widowed Black women, considering the intersectionality of race, gender, and mental health when assessing the risk of loneliness. Practical and policy implications suggest that professionals and physicians working with this group actively screen for loneliness and develop interventions and psychological support to help these women navigate their feelings of isolation. Full article

Background: Aspects of sexuality are often deprioritized or overlooked during the treatment of women with ovarian cancer, despite the profound physical and psychosocial impact of surgical and oncological therapies. This study aimed to explore experiences of sexuality and body image in women with ovarian cancer during the peri- and postoperative period. Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was based on twelve semi-structured, in-depth interviews with women aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Interviews were conducted in person or by telephone, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz with MAXQDA 24.11. Results: Participants described substantial changes in sexuality and body image throughout their disease trajectory. Participants emphasized a lack of attention to sexual health and well-being in ovarian cancer care and expressed a need for timely and sensitive dialogue with medical professionals, social support systems, and with themselves regarding sexuality and intimacy. Conclusions: Sexuality emerged as a key factor for overall well-being and empowerment in women with ovarian cancer, regardless of age or relationship status. The findings suggest that sexuality-related concerns are oftentimes overlooked in clinical care and may negatively influence recovery. Greater awareness and a holistic, patient-centered perspective may help support sexual health and well-being throughout the disease trajectory. Full article

Breast cancer entails profound physical, emotional, and relational changes that persist beyond biomedical treatment and may substantially affect women’s body image, sexuality, and engagement in daily occupations. This descriptive phenomenological qualitative study examined the lived experiences of eight Spanish breast cancer survivors through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted after completion of oncological treatment. Transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis with iterative interpretation. Three interrelated findings were identified: (1) bodily changes linked to mastectomy and adjuvant therapies disrupted continuity with the previously known body, eliciting estrangement, vulnerability, and grief for the former bodily self; (2) sexuality emerged as a particularly vulnerable domain, shaped by diminished desire, vaginal dryness and pain, shame, altered self-perception, and the need to renegotiate intimacy within the couple; and (3) coping and meaning-making were strengthened by psychological support, efforts to emotionally protect family members, and, notably, peer support and helping other women as key sources of resilience. These findings highlight the need for integrated, culturally sensitive, person-centered survivorship care that explicitly addresses sexuality, body image, and emotional well-being. Occupational therapy may contribute by supporting embodied identity reconstruction, participation in meaningful occupations, and the reconfiguration of intimacy after breast cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis affects ~10% of women, causing chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and, often, infertility. As endometriosis literacy and awareness are low in society and among health care providers (HCPs), patients are often on their own. The aim of this study was to identify information needs of patients, their social networks and HCPs based on the perspective of the patients as experts. Methods: Four participatory workshops (two online, two in-person) with 45 Austrian women (ages 20–50) diagnosed with endometriosis were conducted. Using pinboards for target groups (patients, partners/social networks, HCPs) and reviews of existing materials, we explored gaps and co-created ideas for information material and dissemination. Results: Participants emphasized the need for comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based information on disease progression, multimodal treatment options, and life-stage-specific topics such as fertility, surgical aftercare, or menopause. The necessity of legal and financial guidance (e.g., disability rights or prescription fee exemptions) was highlighted, alongside clear pathways to specialized care. Some of the existing materials or contents were criticized as outdated, inconsistent, or difficult to read. For their social networks, participants requested simple, empathetic materials explaining disease chronicity, intimacy/fertility challenges, and practical support during pain episodes. HCPs were urged to update clinical knowledge, proactively address symptoms, validate pain experiences, and be transparent about treatment side effects and psychosocial burdens. Conclusions: A centralized, co-created, and easily accessible information ecosystem could support patient autonomy, improve trust, and reduce diagnostic delays. Strengthening self-help groups and life-stage-tailored information are critical to improving self-management and mitigating endometriosis’s socioeconomic impact. Full article

Reception history explores how the Bible has been translated, interpreted, reinvented, and deployed by exegetes, artists, politicians, and others. Given the Bible’s historical and global significance, reception history must also include evaluating how scholars themselves have “read” the biblical literature. This article examines the work of two influential scholars of Hebrew Bible, Howard Eilberg-Schwartz and Theodore Jennings. Eilberg-Schwartz’s groundbreaking God’s Phallus: And Other Problems for Men and Monotheism (1994) and Jennings’ Jacob’s Wound: Homoerotic Narrative in the Literature of Ancient Israel (2005) both treated an underexplored subject: divine masculinity. In their monographs, Eilberg-Schwartz and Jennings present biblical homoeroticism—divine as well as mortal—as a valuable path for establishing intimacy among men and for “transing” the men of the Hebrew Bible. Both works, however, partake in two long-standing exegetical traditions: mitigating, ameliorating, and even attempting to redeem the Bible’s often violent deity, and reinscribing binary premises that biblical narratives typically feature. The article concludes that scholars must resist the tendency to rehabilitate a violent deity, as well as challenge the Hebrew Bible’s (and scholars’ own) binary premises. Full article

Desire, a transformative force, is one of contemporary serial narratives’ most intricate and multifaceted dimensions. Far from being reducible to a mere representation of sexual attraction, desire in television seriality operates as a prism through which to explore issues of intimacy, identity, and power. This paper seeks to analyze how desire is staged and problematised within a set of emblematic series that have significantly shaped contemporary cultural imagination. Grey’s Anatomy explores the entanglement of desire with professional life, emotional fragility, and collective trauma, constructing narratives where eros intersects with affective labour and the negotiation of identity within high-pressure contexts. Sex and the City proposes a very different model, placing female desire at the centre as a space of autonomy, experimentation, and confrontation with the normative frameworks of late capitalist society. By contrast, The Handmaid’s Tale reimagines desire within a dystopian theocracy, assigning it an overtly political function: here, erotic impulses and affective attachments become acts of resistance against systemic repression and biopolitical control. More recently, Sex Education embodies a cultural shift, presenting desire through a plural and inclusive lens that embraces diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, and relational practices. These case studies, when viewed collectively, reveal how television series rework cultural codes of sexuality and intimacy, producing new imaginaries of the body, pleasure, and identity. In this perspective, serial narratives emerge as key cultural laboratories, reproducing and challenging dominant ideologies of desire while offering audiences opportunities for recognition, critique, and affective engagement beyond the screen. Full article

Throughout her oeuvre, Mary Lavin (1912–1996) engages with the nuances of “celibate moments” within masculine life cycles. This periodic sexlessness is often expressed through the complexities of strained or upended marital unions, as in “A Happy Death”, as well as the homosocial and fraternal relationships depicted in “The Joy Ride” and “The Becker Wives.” Within these overlooked narrative spaces, we can consider the relational implications of sexlessness, singleness and marital struggle on interpersonal relationships and the intimacies of masculine sexual identity in post-independent Ireland. In Lavin’s work, the short story is not a conclusive form, and celibacy is not always a permanent practice or observed behaviour. Instead, celibacy can be transient, often silent but equally charged with generative or destructive potential. This article will theorise male celibacy as part of Lavin’s commitment to silence and restraint and include this as part of her refusal of conventional romantic closures. Celibacy in this case takes on a significant positionality within interpersonal characterisations, not merely as a passive symptom of unhappiness or a given consequence of marital decline or spousal death, but as an active and at times frustrated response to hegemonic expectation. To conceive of masculine celibacy in these works, this article considers how celibacy functions within domestic short fiction and Lavin’s conceptualisation of everyday estranged intimacies. Full article

Camille Rosalie Claudel was one of the most important and creative sculptresses of 19th- and 20th-century France. Her life and work were strongly influenced by her love affair with Auguste Rodin, a famous sculptor of the time. The relationship ended, and Claudel was later taken to a psychiatric clinic by her family, where she spent the last 30 years of her life. Many individuals have written about this love affair and its effect on Claudel; however, to date, her life has not been analysed or interpreted in terms of attachment theories, intimacy, and love. Therefore, this article explores attachment and attachment style in the context of intimacy and love in Claudel’s life. The research methodology used in this research is psychobiography; the research paradigm is hermeneutic–interpretivist while Camille Rosalie Claudel is chosen purposefully as a subject of research. Findings show that the development of love, intimacy, and attachment throughout Claudel’s lifetime was complex and strongly affected many aspects of her life, such as her relationship with her parents and siblings, her romantic love relationship with Rodin, her work, her art, and her personal development. Conclusions are drawn, and recommendations are given. Full article

This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing attitudes towards homosexuality and people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Slovenian high school students. The analysis identifies gender, school type, and religious affiliation as significant predictors of these attitudes. Consistent with previous research, gender differences emerge, with male students displaying more negative attitudes towards homosexuality compared to their female counterparts. This discrepancy is particularly pronounced among students attending vocational schools, aligning with existing data on attitudes towards sexuality. Sociological theories predicting social changes in intimacy, with women at the forefront, contribute to understanding this gender disparity. Full article