Relational Intimacy Mediates Sexual Outcomes Associated With Impaired Sexual Function: Examination in a Clinical Sample

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: An Exploratory Study on Sexual Victimization Profiles Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in France

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a common form of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to (a) identify a typology of intimate partner sexual victimization among French women victims of IPV on the basis of the frequency of various forms of sexual violence and (b) evaluate whether these profiles differ in several clinical characteristics. A total of 93 women consulting a specialized hospital service were recruited. Cluster analyses suggested four profiles: highly frequent rapes (5.4%), predominant sexual coercion (20.4%), medium frequency of all forms (20.4%), and low frequency of all forms (19.4%). Further person-centered research focusing on IPSV is warranted.

Psychometric Evaluation and Adaptation of the Five-Factor Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS-W) for Use in Men: The Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS)

The Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W) is a psychometrically sound, widely used instrument for assessing sexual satisfaction and distress in women. Because the majority of scale items are gender nonspecific, numerous researchers have adapted this scale for use in male samples. The goal of the current study was to assess the reliability and validity of a slightly modified version of the SSS-W in a male sample (N = 268). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of five previously established factors provided evidence for consistency of internal structure in men. The adapted scale (SSS) exhibited acceptable test-retest reliability, as well as evidence for validity based on relationships with theoretically predicted variables. Taken together, there is evidence to suggest that the SSS may be a reliable and valid psychometric tool for the measurement of sexual satisfaction and distress in both men and women.

How Inclusion of Other in the Self Relates to Couple's Sexuality and Functioning - Results from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)

Closeness, in the sense of inclusion of other in the self, has been found to be an important factor for relationship well-being, satisfaction and pair-bonding. In the past ten years, the self-expansion theory has also been incorporated into sex research, although studies are still very scarce and not without limitations. The present research aimed at further elucidating the relevance of relational factors for couple's sexuality, and to clarify the role inclusion of other in the self plays for sexual satisfaction and sexual distress. A broadly representative sample of 3,046 men and women aged 18 to 75 was taken from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD). Throughout analyses, inclusion of other in the self and love were positively related to sexual satisfaction. Furthermore, inclusion of other in the self was negatively related to how strongly someone was distressed by experiencing sexual problems. Closeness seems to have a compensatory role especially for women with sexual problems, protecting them from experiencing sexual distress. In future research, couple's sexual satisfaction should not be compartmentalized from relational aspects. Results clearly promote the Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale as an interesting tool for both research and treatment.

Attachment Orientations, Sexual Behavior, and Relationship Satisfaction in Young, Mixed-Sex Couples: A Dyadic Approach

We examined if and to what degree attachment orientations of both partners moderate the link between different behavioral characteristics of the sexual relationship and relationship satisfaction in the early stages of romantic attachment. A sample of 126 young, mixed-sex couples (N = 252, mean age = 23.3, SD = 2.4; average relationship duration = 1.9 years, SD = 0.9) filled out questionnaires assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance, a range of intimate and sexual couple behaviors, and relationship satisfaction. Exploratory factor analyses revealed two behavioral factors: Intimate behavior (kissing, cuddling) and sexual behavior (oral sex, coitus). Although frequency of sexual behavior was not directly associated with relationship satisfaction, we found a significant positive interaction with anxious attachment, indicating that higher frequencies of sexual behavior were associated with greater self-reported relationship satisfaction in more anxiously attached individuals. Exploration of the effects of intimate behaviors on relationship satisfaction revealed significant positive associations as well, but, unexpectedly, only for avoidantly attached individuals. These results call for a dyadic and differentiated approach to the study of sexuality in couples and are in line with prior findings that the impact of intimate and sexual behaviors on relationship satisfaction varies depending on attachment orientations.

Online Compared to Face-to-Face Sexual Intimacy Enhancement Training Program Counseling with Cognitive-Behavioral Approach on Sexual Intimacy in Pregnant Women

Studies have shown sexual intimacy enhancement-training with cognitive-behavioral can affect women's sexual intimacy. Interventional study to compare online and face-to-face sexual enhancement-training with cognitive-behavioral approach on sexual intimacy was conducted on 48 pregnant women with sexual intimacy scores < 75 who were randomly divided online (n = 25) and face-to-face (n = 23). Six 90-minute session sexual intimacy enhancement-training were conducted. Data were collected Botlani's sexual intimacy questionnaire (primary outcome) and counseling satisfaction scale (secondary outcome) measured baseline and after 6 and 10 weeks. In each group sexual intimacy in 10^th week increased significantly compared to baseline (65.88 ± 5.51 vs 87.36 ± 8.39, p < 0.001) and (67.39 ± 5.26 vs 83.70 ± 5.61, p < 0.001) respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups in sexual intimacy scores in 6^th (82.32 ± 9.25 vs 79.87 ± 6.35, p = 0.29) and 10^th weeks (87.36 ± 8.39 vs 83.70 ± 5.61, p = 0.08) but totally intervention caused significant increase in sexual intimacy in 10^th week compared to baseline (p = 0.04). Satisfaction from intervention was significantly different in 6^th (65.72 ± 2.57 vs 61.21 ± 7.17, p = 0.021) and 10^th weeks (68.92 ± 2.79 vs 64.26 ± 5.15, p = 0.001). Intervention improved sexual intimacy in pregnant women via both online and face-to-face counseling, with more sexual intimacy and satisfaction in online group, could be useful in COVID-19 pandemic.

Inclusion of Other in the Self and Couple's Sexuality: A Scoping Review

To better understand the effect relationship closeness has on couple's sexuality a scoping review was conducted, that focused on the inclusion of other in the self scale (IOS). Authors reviewed quantitative journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 by searching PsychInfo, Medline, and PubMed, resulting in 24 studies. Results suggest positive associations between IOS and sexual well-being, functioning, desire, frequency and satisfaction, and negatively related to sexual distress. Also, the benefits of positive sexual experiences expand well beyond the sexual domain onto different personal and relational factors of health and well-being. Sampling designs considerably limit the generalizability of results.

Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among women attending college presenting for gynecological care at a university student health center

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women attending college (18-29 years of age) presenting for routine gynecological care at a university-based student health center. Participants: Location: University affiliated women's health care clinic. Methods: Study design: Descriptive, cross sectional study. Primary endpoint: Estimated prevalence of FSD in the 18-29-year- old population. A subanalysis between those with and without recent sexual activity was performed. Logistic Regression was performed to identify potential predictors of FSD among those affected. Results: Of 310 women, FSFI was estimated as ranging from 35.5% (not sexually active) to 42.3% (sexually active). Those of younger age (18-21), with prior mental health diagnosis, and self-reported problems with arousal were at increased risk for FSD. Conclusion: Screening for FSD in the 18-29-year-old population is justified and recommended.

What are the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women? A Brazilian cross-sectional analytical study

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analytical study.

SETTING

Population-based study of individuals living in the northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

From May to August 2017, 372 women aged ≥18 years were selected who gave exclusive, predominant or complementary breast feeding up to 23 months postpartum, and who did not have contraindications for the resumption of intercourse. Pregnant women, those diagnosed with mental health problems, users of medications that affect sexual function (antihypertensives, antidepressants or antipsychotics) and women unable to read or understand the instructions for the study were excluded.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The breastfeeding women completed the Female Sexual Function Index, the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and a questionnaire to collect participants' sociodemographic, clinical and interpersonal data. A bivariate analysis was performed, and variables with p values<0.20 were analysed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Sexual dysfunction was present in 58.3% of the study population. Factors significantly associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) included placing a low importance on sexual intercourse (adjusted OR [AOR]=2.49, 95% CI=1.22 to 5.09), limited communication with the partner (AOR=2.64, 95% CI=1.43 to 4.86), decreased frequency of sexual intercourse (AOR=2.17, 95% CI=1.30 to 3.61) and low quality of life (AOR=2.23, 95% CI=1.33 to 3.74).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of FSD appears with a great magnitude in breastfeeding women. The risk factors for sexual dysfunction are biopsychosocial and these findings may lead to improved counselling for prenatal and postnatal care.

Loneliness Mediates the Relationship Between Pain During Intercourse and Depressive Symptoms Among Young Women

Previous research suggests that women who experience pain during intercourse also experience higher rates of depressive symptoms. Loneliness might be one factor that contributes to this relationship. We hypothesized that women who experience more severe and interfering pain during intercourse would report higher rates of loneliness and higher rates of depressive symptoms. Further, we hypothesized that loneliness would mediate the relationship between pain during intercourse and depressive symptoms. A total of 104 female participants (85.6% white, 74.03% partnered, 20.9 [3.01] years old) completed an online survey including demographic information, PROMIS Vaginal Discomfort Measure, PROMIS Depression Measure, and Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Pearson correlations and bootstrapped mediation analysis examined the relationships among pain during intercourse, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Pain during intercourse, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were all significantly correlated (p < .05). Results of the mediation analysis indicated that loneliness was a significant mediator of the relationship between pain during intercourse and depressive symptoms (indirect effect = 0.077; 95% CI 0.05-0.19). After accounting for loneliness, pain during intercourse was not significantly related to depressive symptoms, suggesting that loneliness fully mediated the relationship between pain during intercourse and depressive symptoms. These findings are consistent with previous studies highlighting that pain during intercourse is related to depressive symptoms. The current study adds to that literature and suggests that more frequent and severe pain during intercourse leads to more loneliness, which then leads to increased depressive symptoms. This line of work has important implications for treating women who experience depressive symptoms and pain during intercourse.