A Conceptual Framework for the Evolution of Sexual Medicine and a Model for the Development of Alternative Sexual Health Services: 10-Year Experience of the Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Occupational therapy students' views on addressing sexual health

BACKGROUND

Sexual health is an important issue in daily life, but little is known about occupational therapy (OT) students' views on these matters.

AIM

To explore occupational therapy students' views on addressing sexual health in their future professional role.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study involving 37 OT students in 5 focus groups was performed and analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Three categories: 'Sexual health is part of occupational therapy and but not of the OT educational program'; 'Need for knowledge to identify and intervene related to sexual health problems'; and finally, 'Communication about sexual health-unknown, untried, but necessary', formed the theme, 'Willing to try, wanting to know more, and recognizing not only the difficulties and challenges but also the importance of sexual health in OT practice'.

CONCLUSIONS

OT-students consider sexual health as part of OT-practice, but experience lack of knowledge of sexual health related to disease/disability, cultural diversity, and age and sexual orientation. Educational programs need to cover these matters, including how to address sexual health in OT-practice, to enhance OT's future competence related to promotion of sexual health for clients.

SIGNIFICANCE

Knowledge on students' views are vital to guide education on this important, rather neglected, area.

Sexual Well-Being in Older Women: The Relevance of Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition

The aim of this study was to use the dual control model of sexual response (DCM) to investigate variation in sexual well-being among women 50 years of age and older. Data from 185 women 50 years of age and older (M = 59.46, SD = 6.96) were used to examine the relationships between sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI) and their lower-order factors to indicators of sexual well-being (i.e., sexual functioning, satisfaction, distress, frequency of sexual activity, and breadth of sexual behavior). Possible moderating factors were also explored. Independently, SE and SI were associated with the majority of the indicators of sexual well-being, and the directions of associations were consistent with the tenets of the DCM. SE and SI lower-order factors were significant predictors of sexual function, satisfaction, and frequency of sexual activity. Sexual distress was predicted more strongly by SI factors and breadth of sexual behavior by one SE lower-order factor (arousability). Partner physical and mental health and participant's own mental health were identified as moderating variables of these associations. Findings of this study are discussed considering the contribution of the DCM to understanding the role of diversity in older women's sexual well-being.

A Qualitative Exploration of Community-Based Organization Programs, Resources, and Training to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health

BACKGROUND

Youth development professionals (YDPs) working at community-based organizations (CBOs) can promote adolescent sexual health through programs. This study explored the programs and resources that youth access at CBOs and training YDPs receive.

METHODS

Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with YDPs. Qualitative content analyses were conducted using NVivo.

RESULTS

Most YDPs (n = 15, 71.4%) described sexuality-related programs for youth. Some YDPs provided informal information (n = 11, 52.4%) and/or referrals for youth (n = 6, 28.6%). Few YDPs (n = 8, 38.1%) were trained to address adolescent sexuality, but some (n = 10, 47.6%) sought outside resources.

CONCLUSIONS

YDPs have a unique opportunity to improve adolescent sexual health and sexuality. Five considerations for organizations that develop programs and training for CBOs are suggested.

The Influence of Sexual Attitudes on Mid-to Late-Life Sexual Well-Being: Age, Not Gender, as a Salient Factor

The influence of sexual attitudes on sexual activity and expression has been relatively understudied in older populations. In the current study, we sought to understand the role sexual attitudes have on sexual well-being among middle-aged and young-old adults. Using a diverse sample of participants over the age of 45 ( N = 384), a path model was analyzed to determine whether sexual attitudes contributed to sexual well-being. The model was then compared by gender. Results indicated: a) only age-relative sexual attitudes significantly contributed to sexual well-being; and b) the model was equally robust for both men and women, even though women held slightly more positive age-relative sexual attitudes than men. Therefore, among middle-aged and young-old adults, sexual well-being may be reduced by harboring negative ageist sexual attitudes. Efforts should be made to reduce stigma surrounding continued sexual activity and expression among the aged.