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Brandley B, Peters C. "Asexual Healing Is Like the Sun Shining on Your Face in an Open Field": A Found Poetry Analysis of Asexual People of Color's Wellness and Dis/Ability. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38873832 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2364437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Despite growing research about asexuality in the field, there is a lack of asexual-centric health communication research. We leverage a communication lens in examining the lives of asexual-spectrum people of color and their experiences with wellness, dis/ability, and/or neurodivergence. Asexuality's fraught relationship with dis/ability provides a generative location to interrogate co-constitutive systems of oppression. Thus, this article uses poetic inquiry on 33 in-depth interviews with asexual-spectrum people of color. The poems explore the participants' emotive and experiential dimensions of their stories at the intersections of racism, ableism, and allonormativity and emphasize asexual people of color's individual and collective pursuits of wellness and healing. Ultimately and looking forward, we recognize allonormativity as a systemic barrier to health and wellness, and aim to instill a commitment to asexual people of color's wellness, healing, and hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Brandley
- Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University
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2
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Nimbi FM, Appia C, Tanzilli A, Giovanardi G, Lingiardi V. Deepening Sexual Desire and Erotic Fantasies Research in the ACE Spectrum: Comparing the Experiences of Asexual, Demisexual, Gray-Asexual, and Questioning People. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1031-1045. [PMID: 38212438 PMCID: PMC10920473 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02784-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, an increasing number of people have identified within the asexual (ACE) spectrum recognizing an absence/low/situational sexual attraction to individuals of any gender. The current study aims to deepen the knowledge of sexual desire, erotic fantasies, and related emotions within the ACE spectrum. A total of 1072 Italian volunteers were recruited to take part to the present study via social media. Data were collected from October 2021 to January 2022 using the Sexual Desire and Erotic Fantasies questionnaire and the Sexual Desire Inventory-2. Participants were divided into four groups: asexual, demisexual, gray-asexual, and questioning. Focusing on sexual desire, asexual people reported significantly lower scores than the other groups in all the dimensions except for "negative feelings to sexual desire," while demisexual participants showed the higher scores in all the domains except for "negative feelings to sexual desire." The questioning group reported the highest scores in the "negative feelings toward sexual desire" compared to the asexual and demisexual ones. The asexual group reported significantly lower scores than the other groups in fantasies frequency, fantasies importance, negative emotions, and sharing and experiencing. The demisexual group showed higher frequency of romantic fantasies than the asexual and gray-asexual ones. The results showed some specific patterns of desire and fantasies among the asexual, gray-asexual, demisexual, and questioning groups. These data may provide relevant material to clinicians working with asexual patients who need greater awareness about the diversity and heterogeneity of the sexual experience within the ACE spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Maria Nimbi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Caterina Appia
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tanzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
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3
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Margolin L. Why is absent/low sexual desire a mental disorder (except when patients identify as asexual)? PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2023.2193575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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4
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Queering Relationships: Exploring Phenomena of Asexual Identified Persons in Relationships. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-022-09650-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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5
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Guz S, Hecht HK, Kattari SK, Gross EB, Ross E. A Scoping Review of Empirical Asexuality Research in Social Science Literature. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:2135-2145. [PMID: 35604513 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Research on asexuality as a part of the experience of human sexuality has increased over the last two decades. However, there has not yet been a systematic review of the extant literature on asexuality. This paper aims to provide a systematic scoping review of literature on asexuality with articles published in 2004 through August 2021. After a systematic search procedure, 48 studies were included. A codebook was developed to extract broad information about the literature on asexuality, including sampling techniques, research participant sociodemographics, and conceptualization of asexuality. Results of the review indicate that the research is currently split between qualitative and quantitative methods. The literature primarily relied on convenience sampling within asexual online communities. The primary online community was Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), which may have contributed to the majority of participants being White, presumptively cisgender, women between the ages of 20-30. Analysis of the overall literature scope demonstrates no support for asexuality as a medical condition (i.e., a disorder requiring treatment) and instead supports the need to recognize asexuality as a complex identity and sexual orientation. Implications for research are discussed, such as the need for additional research on the topic of human sexuality that includes asexuality as a sexual orientation as well as the need for more intersectional research within the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Guz
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Hillary K Hecht
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shanna K Kattari
- School of Social Work & Women's and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - E B Gross
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emily Ross
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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6
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Bradshaw J, Brown N, Kingstone A, Brotto L. Asexuality vs. sexual interest/arousal disorder: Examining group differences in initial attention to sexual stimuli. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261434. [PMID: 34914809 PMCID: PMC8675737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention is considered to be a critical part of the sexual response cycle, and researchers have differentiated between the roles of initial (involuntary) and subsequent (voluntary) attention paid to sexual stimuli as part of the facilitation of sexual arousal. Prior studies using eye-tracking methodologies have shown differing initial attention patterns to erotic stimuli between men and women, as well as between individuals of different sexual orientations. No study has directly compared initial attention to sexual stimuli in asexual individuals, defined by their lack of sexual attraction, to women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD), a disorder characterized by a reduced or absent interest in sex coupled with significant personal distress. The current study tested differences in the initial attention patterns of 29 asexual individuals (Mage = 26.56, SD = 4.80) and 25 heterosexual women with SIAD (Mage = 27.52, SD = 4.87), using eye-tracking. Participants were presented with sexual and neutral stimuli, and their initial eye movements and initial fixations to both image types and areas of erotic contact within sexual images were recorded. Mixed-model ANOVAs and t-tests were used to compare the two groups on the speed with which their initial fixations occurred, the duration of their initial fixations, and the proportion of initial fixations made to sexual stimuli. On two indices of initial attention, women with SIAD displayed an initial attention preference for sexual stimuli over neutral stimuli compared to asexual participants. This study adds to a growing literature on the distinction between asexuality and SIAD, indicating that differences in early attention may be a feature that differentiates the groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bradshaw
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalie Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Alan Kingstone
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lori Brotto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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7
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Ronis ST, Byers ES, Brotto LA, Nichols S. Beyond the Label: Asexual Identity Among Individuals on the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3831-3842. [PMID: 34661809 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-01969-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have suggested that asexuality, which has been conceptualized traditionally as a persistent lack of sexual attraction to others, may be more common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder than in the neurotypical population. However, no studies to date have considered how these individuals understand and conceptualize their sexual identity. The aim of this study was to provide a more nuanced understanding of asexuality among individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HF-ASD) than has been done in the past. Individuals with ASD, 21-72 years old (M = 34.04 years, SD = 10.53), were recruited from online communities that serve adults with ASD and Amazon's Mechanical Turk to complete an online survey of sexual and gender identity. Overall, 17 (5.1%) participants who met study criteria (N = 332) self-identified as asexual. However, 9 of the 17 people identifying as asexual expressed at least some sexual attraction to others. In addition, based on open-ended responses, some participants linked their asexual identity more with a lack of desire or perceived skill to engage in interpersonal relations than a lack of sexual attraction. Results suggest that researchers should be cautious in attributing higher rates of asexuality among individuals with ASD than in the general population to a narrow explanation and that both researchers and professionals working with individuals with ASD should consider multiple questions or approaches to accurately assess sexual identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott T Ronis
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, 38 Dineen Drive, Keirstead Hall, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - E Sandra Byers
- Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, 38 Dineen Drive, Keirstead Hall, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Lori A Brotto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shana Nichols
- ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, Huntington, NY, USA
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8
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McInroy LB, Beaujolais B, Craig SL, Eaton AD. The Self-Identification, LGBTQ+ Identity Development, and Attraction and Behavior of Asexual Youth: Potential Implications for Sexual Health and Internet-Based Service Provision. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3853-3863. [PMID: 34136992 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02064-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
While often included in the spectrum of sexual minority identities, asexuality receives comparatively little attention. Awareness and understanding remains limited, and knowledge has been generated primarily from adult populations. This paper employs a sample of 711 self-identified asexual youth (aged 14-24, M = 17.43 years) who identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider the implications of a number of different areas for service provision. Two-thirds (66.8%) of participants identified as gender minorities within the spectrum of transgender and non-binary identities. Findings include aspects of participants' LGBTQ+ developmental processes, including that only 14.3% had disclosed their LGBTQ+ status to everyone in their lives. However, just 2.4% had disclosed to no one. Their attraction and sexual activity were also explored, with 27.1% having never experienced any kind of romantic or sexual attraction and 20.6% having ever been sexually active. Findings regarding participants' accessing of LGBTQ+ health information and engagement in a range of offline and online LGBTQ+ community activities are also provided. Participants acquired more health information online than offline-including sexual health information. Recommendations for service provision, particularly implications for sexual health and Internet-based services, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B McInroy
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | | | - Shelley L Craig
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew D Eaton
- Faculty of Social Work - Saskatoon Campus, University of Regina, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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9
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Herbitter C, Vaughan MD, Pantalone DW. Mental health provider bias and clinical competence in addressing asexuality, consensual non-monogamy, and BDSM: a narrative review. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2021.1969547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cara Herbitter
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - David W. Pantalone
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Vu K, Riggs DW, Due C. Exploring anti-asexual bias in a sample of Australian undergraduate psychology students. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.1956574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kym Vu
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Damien W. Riggs
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work Flinders University GPO Box 2100 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Clemence Due
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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11
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Brown NB, Peragine D, VanderLaan DP, Kingstone A, Brotto LA. Cognitive processing of sexual cues in asexual individuals and heterosexual women with desire/arousal difficulties. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251074. [PMID: 33979379 PMCID: PMC8115827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Asexuality is defined as a unique sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others. This has been challenged, with some experts positing that it is better explained as a sexual dysfunction. Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD) is characterized by absent/reduced sexual interest/arousal paired with personal distress, with two subtypes: acquired and lifelong. Research suggests that while asexuality and acquired SIAD are distinct entities, there may be overlap between asexuality and lifelong SIAD. Findings from studies using eye-tracking and implicit association tasks suggest that these methodologies might differentiate these groups on the basis of their neural mechanisms. However, no study has compared their cognitive processing of sexual cues, and the literature on lifelong SIAD is minimal. The current study tested differences in the cognitive processing of sexual cues between asexual individuals and women with SIAD (lifelong and acquired). Forty-two asexual individuals and 25 heterosexual women with SIAD (16: acquired; 9: lifelong) completed three study components: a visual attention task, a Single Category-Implicit Association Task, and the sex semantic differential. ANOVAs examined group differences in: 1) visual attention to erotic cues, 2) implicit appraisals of sexual words, and 3) explicit appraisals of sex. Women with SIAD displayed a controlled attention preference for erotic images and areas of sexual contact, with longer dwell times to these areas relative to asexual individuals, who did not gaze preferentially at erotic cues. For implicit appraisals, all groups demonstrated negative-neutral implicit associations with sexual words. For explicit appraisals, women with acquired SIAD reported more positive evaluations of sex relative to asexual individuals and women with lifelong SIAD. This project sheds light on key differences between asexuality and low desire, and has implications for best clinical practice guidelines for the assessment of lifelong SIAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B. Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Diana Peragine
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Doug P. VanderLaan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
- Child and Youth Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alan Kingstone
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lori A. Brotto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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12
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Thorpe C, Arbeau K. Judging an absence: Factors influencing attitudes towards asexuality. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2020-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We used social identity theory to examine predictors of antiasexual bias in a sample of 1297 adults (48.6% female, 43.2% male, 6.4% nonbinary/other, 0.6% questioning). Multiple regression analysis found that social dominance orientation, right wing authoritarianism, singlism, low relational closeness with asexual individuals, and sexual orientation were significant predictors of antiasexual bias. In support of social identity theory, and consistent with existing research on antiasexual bias, non-LGBTQ+ participants ( n = 576) scored higher on measures of antiasexual attitudes compared to nonasexual LGBTQ+ ( n = 569) and asexual individuals ( n = 143). Shared status as sexual minorities appears to provide common ground between asexuality and other LGBTQ+ identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Thorpe
- Department of Psychology, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC
| | - Kelly Arbeau
- Department of Psychology, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC
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13
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Patterns of sexual behavior and psychological processes in asexual persons: a systematic review. Int J Impot Res 2020; 33:641-651. [PMID: 32778774 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-020-0336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Asexuality is commonly regarded as lack of sexual attraction. Research in asexuality grew progressively in the past two decades. However, asexuals' patterns of sexual behavior and psychological processes were not yet systematized. This review searched for articles that could potentially help establishing these patterns. Articles published in English until December 31st 2019 were retrieved from Medline, Embase, Cochrane, EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycARTICLES. A systematic search was conducted using an exhaustive list of key terms regarding asexuality and sexual behavior following PRISMA guidelines. Of the 195 initially retrieved, only 23 were considered for this review. Of the 23 articles, 16 were quantitative studies, 5 were qualitative studies, and 2 comprised quantitative and qualitative studies. Overall, current findings suggest that asexuals present great heterogeneity of sexual behaviors and psychological processes regarding sexuality, including different aspects and types of interpersonal and romantic relationships, sexual attitudes or fantasies. Conversely, data did not find support for the claim that asexuals present impaired sexual functioning. The little geographic and cultural diversity of the samples is a major limitation in these studies, preventing the properly representation of asexuals. Furthermore, asexuals may benefit from evidence on the biopsychosocial factors shaping sexual, emotional, and relationship well-being, as far as such evidence is built upon asexuals' lenses, rather than on heteronormativity criteria.
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14
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Sharan P, Purnima S, Rao R, Kedia S, Khoury B, Reed GM. Field Testing of ICD-11 Proposals for Female Sexual Dysfunctions in India: Cognitive Interviews with Patients. Arch Med Res 2020; 50:567-576. [PMID: 32062429 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's experiences of female sexual difficulties are shaped by cultural expectations. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the cultural validity and clinical utility of the classification of female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) in the International Classification of Diseases - 11th Revision (ICD-11) among Indian Women. METHODS A purposive sample of 22 married women with probable sexual problems underwent cognitive interviews that were conducted using a semi-structured guide. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed qualitatively to help establish the content and cultural validity of the ICD-11 classification of FSD. RESULTS Most participants had limited knowledge of the sexual act, felt unskilled in sex, and were led by their husbands in sexual matters. Many participants reported problems related to sexual dysfunction and sexual pain-penetration. Many participants with sexual pain-penetration issues and some with low sexual desire considered these symptoms to be problematic; however, this was rarely the case with the absence or lack of sexual arousal and orgasm. The application of the 'independent focus of clinical attention' requirement for diagnosis reduced cases by half for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and almost eliminated all cases of Female Sexual Arousal Dysfunction (FSAD) and Anorgasmia. Hence, this requirement was moved from essential (required) features to 'additional features' of the final ICD-11 sexual dysfunction guidelines. CONCLUSION Advancement toward a more precise nomenclature and classification system of FSD will facilitate better diagnosis which will ultimately lead to improved care for women with sexual dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratap Sharan
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
| | - Shivani Purnima
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravindra Rao
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Swati Kedia
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Brigitte Khoury
- Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Geoffrey M Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Global Mental Health Program, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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15
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Bulmer M, Izuma K. Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Sex and Romance in Asexuals. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2018; 55:962-974. [PMID: 28362218 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1303438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent surge of interest in sexuality, asexuality has remained relatively underresearched. Distinct from abstinence or chastity, asexuality refers to a lack of sexual attraction toward others. Past research suggests asexuals have negative attitudes toward sex, though no research has examined implicit attitudes. While preliminary evidence suggests that many asexuals are interested in engaging in romantic relationships, these attitudes have yet to be examined thoroughly, implicitly, or compared with a control group. This study investigated explicit and implicit attitudes toward sex and romance in a group of asexuals (N = 18, age M = 21.11) and a group of controls (N = 27, age M = 21.81), using the Asexuality Identification Scale (AIS), the Triangular Love Scale (TLS), semantic differentials, an Implicit Association Task (IAT), and two Single Category IATs. It was found that asexuals exhibited more negative explicit and implicit attitudes toward sex, as well as more negative explicit attitudes toward romance, relative to controls. There was no significant difference between groups on implicit romantic attitudes. Moreover, aromantic asexuals demonstrated significantly more negative explicit attitudes toward romance than romantic asexuals, though there was no significant difference between groups on implicit measures. Explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keise Izuma
- a Department of Psychology , University of York
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16
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Zheng L, Su Y. Patterns of Asexuality in China: Sexual Activity, Sexual and Romantic Attraction, and Sexual Desire. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2018; 47:1265-1276. [PMID: 29383460 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1158-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study examined patterns of asexuality in Chinese asexual people in terms of sexual activities, sexual/romantic attraction, and sexual desire. The sample included 227 (64 men and 163 women) asexual participants and 57 (26 men and 31 women) uncertain asexual participants recruited from social networks for asexual people. The control group included 217 (115 men and 102 women) heterosexual participants recruited from general social networks. Participants scoring 40 or higher on the Asexuality Identification Scale were classified as asexual. Asexual participants reported having less frequent masturbation, sexual intercourse experience, and sexual and romantic attraction compared to heterosexual participants. Lower sexual attraction among asexuals indicated that "people who experience little or no sexual attraction" would be a more appropriate definition of asexuality. The pattern of uncertain asexual participants' sexual/romantic attraction and sexual desire was intermediate between heterosexual and asexual participants. Asexual participants scored significantly lower on dyadic sexual desire and slightly lower on solitary sexual desire than heterosexual participants. There were significant differences in sexual activities and solitary sexual desire among romantic orientation categories. Homoromantic participants showed higher dyadic sexual desire and were more likely to engage in masturbation, indicating the heterogeneity among asexual people. The findings indicated that Chinese asexual people showed similar patterns of asexuality as in Western nations. Specifically, asexual people have little or no sexual attraction, non-partner-orientated sexual desire, and are heterogeneous in sexual activities and sexual desire. This implies similar mechanisms underlying the etiology of asexuality across cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Yanchen Su
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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17
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Chasin CJD. Considering Asexuality as a Sexual Orientation and Implications for Acquired Female Sexual Arousal/Interest Disorder. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:631-635. [PMID: 27848041 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0893-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C J DeLuzio Chasin
- Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada.
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Van Houdenhove E, Enzlin P, Gijs L. A Positive Approach Toward Asexuality: Some First Steps, But Still a Long Way to Go. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:647-651. [PMID: 28091869 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0921-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Van Houdenhove
- Department of Family Studies, Odisee University College, Brussels, 1030, Belgium.
| | - Paul Enzlin
- Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luk Gijs
- Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Yule MA, Brotto LA, Gorzalka BB. Human Asexuality: What Do We Know About a Lack of Sexual Attraction? CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-017-0100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Gupta K. "And Now I'm Just Different, but There's Nothing Actually Wrong With Me": Asexual Marginalization and Resistance. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2017; 64:991-1013. [PMID: 27632813 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1236590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between contemporary asexual lives and compulsory sexuality, or the privileging of sexuality and the marginalizing of nonsexuality. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews, I identify four ways the asexually identified individuals in this study saw themselves as affected by compulsory sexuality: pathologization, isolation, unwanted sex and relationship conflict, and the denial of epistemic authority. I also identify five ways these asexually identified individuals disrupted compulsory sexuality: adopting a language of difference and a capacity to describe asexuality; deemphasizing the importance of sexuality in human life; developing new types of nonsexual relationships; constituting asexuality as a sexual orientation or identity; and engaging in community building and outreach. I argue that some of these practices offer only a limited disruption of compulsory sexuality, but some of these practices pose a radical challenge to sexual norms by calling into question the widespread assumption that sexuality is a necessary part of human flourishing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Gupta
- a Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies , Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem , North Carolina , USA
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