Sexes, Volume 5, Issue 4 (December 2024) – 20 articles

Sexual stimuli are thought to be highly salient and have been shown to automatically attract attention at the cost of processing other stimuli. We examined whether this effect was greater for men and whether men would show a category-specific effect with greater effects due to female images than male images. In two studies, participants performed a simple perceptual task while trying to ignore a distractor stimulus that could have sexual or neutral content. As expected, sexual stimuli produced a slowing of decision times under all conditions. The effect of erotic stimuli was greater for men (Experiment 1) and was category-specific (Experiment 2) while the response of women was not category specific (Experiment 2). However, all indices of distraction showed poor levels of reliability. The results show that early automatic distraction from sexual images show both quantitative and qualitative gender differences. Full article

Most genotypically XX females born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have undergone feminizing genital reconstructive surgery within their first few years of life or in early childhood. Reconstructive surgery may impact the sexual function of patients later in life, including their satisfaction with sexual activity. A review of the sexual function of CAH patients with previous reconstructive surgery was conducted through PubMed using several search terms, including (((sexual function) AND (female)) AND (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)) AND (reconstruction), and focused on articles published within the past 25 years. Relevant cited references within these articles were reviewed as well. Most studies demonstrated worse sexual function in female CAH patients compared to controls, while some showed comparable sexual function between the two groups. Further research is necessary to clarify these conflicting findings and improve long-term care of these patients, especially as it relates to their sexual health. Full article

The general objective of the study is to study the degree of gender-based violence that exists among students at the University of Huelva. The sample of 678 students (540 women and 138 men) answered an anonymous and voluntary questionnaire, which was made up of several validated questionnaires. The results show that many of the students have rarely suffered or carried out any type of violent behavior in their relationships, although there is a very low percentage who claim to have suffered gender-based violence, so we can affirm that it is a phenomenon present to a greater or lesser extent. It is observed that students easily relate physical aggressions to gender-based violence while they hesitate to relate psychological aggressions to it. This difficulty can be supported by other studies that state that adolescents believe that some actions of psychological violence—such as being jealous—are simply signs of love. This is compounded by the large number of romantic myths that are increasingly spread through social networks, media, family patterns, etc. More educational interventions are therefore needed to prevent these outcomes from leading to unhealthy relationships disguised as excessive romanticism. Full article

Sexual shame negatively affects women’s sexual functioning, impacting arousal, desire, orgasm, and pain. This review summarizes the existing literature, highlighting the multiple, interacting factors contributing to sexual shame including sociocultural messages, body and genital self-image, sexual self-schemas, sexual pain, comorbid chronic disease, illness, medical disorders, and sexual trauma. The relationship between sexual shame and sexual functioning is often reciprocal, demonstrating sexual shame as a potential causal and maintaining mechanism underlying women’s sexual difficulties. We present a model proposing the mechanisms by which sexual shame affects sexual functioning, underscoring the need for comprehensive approaches to mitigate the impact of sexual shame and foster sexual well-being for women. Growing research emphasizes emotional processes in models of sexual function, and emotional pathways underlying sexual difficulties and dysfunction. Given the impact of sexual shame on women’s sexual functioning, therapeutic approaches that target sexual shame are recommended to help alleviate difficulties with sexual arousal, desire, orgasm, and sexual pain. Full article

In recent years, the practice of female genital cosmetic surgery, particularly labiaplasty, has increased in Spain, as reported by aesthetic surgery associations. The aim of this article is to describe and represent the labia minora in online information and assess whether it includes elements that may contribute to body dysmorphia. To achieve this, a qualitative content analysis was conducted on the most accessible Spanish-language websites, selected based on their PageRank. The results show that 71.4% of the analyzed websites promote labial reduction, with the majority being commercial sites from medical aesthetic centers. A significant bias towards the medicalization of female genital diversity is revealed, contributing to the creation of the problem: labial hypertrophy is presented as a pathological condition without objective medical criteria, while critical information regarding risks is often omitted. There is a need to reassess the representations, assumptions, and sociocultural values that inform these medical practices and influence their narratives. Full article

In Belgium, sex work was recently decriminalized to enhance street-based sex workers’ (SSWs’) health. This qualitative study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of the impact of the working environment on street-based sex workers’ occupational safety, health, and well-being in Brussels. In-depth interviews with seven stakeholders directly involved with SSWs were conducted, with data analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis of study data resulted in one theme: “A power imbalance and a lack of concerted efforts among stakeholders are detrimental to the occupational safety, health, and well-being of street-based sex workers”. In Brussels, the majority of SSWs face various challenges due to structural vulnerabilities, thus limiting their choices regarding their work environment and further compromising their health. Limited access to resources and severe constraints within their working environment contribute to a lack of safety and adverse health outcomes. A stigma mechanism fueled by ideology and personal interests prevents the enforcement of their rights regarding their working environment, safety, and health promotion. The lack of involvement of key stakeholders, especially from the public sector, prevents the majority of street-based sex workers in Brussels from benefiting from a sound working environment and the promotion of their health, safety, and well-being. Full article

Work-related quality of life (WRQoL) was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for women. This study sought to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 on Brazilians’ WRQoL from a gender-based perspective. A sample of 326 participants, 187 women and 139 men, completed an online survey containing the Fear of COVID-19 scale, the Negative Impacts of COVID-19 scale, and the Work-Related Quality of Life scale. t-tests compared the results between genders. Pearson correlation tested the association between the variables. Linear regressions assessed the predictive factors of WRQoL. Women reported significantly higher levels of COVID-19-related fears, and lower levels of all seven dimensions of WRQoL, with significant differences for overall WRQoL, well-being, career satisfaction, and control over work. A negative correlation was found among overall WRQoL, fear of COVID-19, and the negative impact of COVID-19. Gender, fear, and negative impacts of COVID-19 were significant predictors of general well-being (explaining 24.6% of variance); regarding the seven dimensions evaluated, gender explained two of them, fear of COVID-19 explained four, and the negative impact of COVID-19 explained six of them. These results contribute to the analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on increasing gender inequality in a manner unfavorable to women in the Brazilian organizational context. Full article

The prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) across different cultures and nationalities has long been a topic of debate, with early studies suggesting that men in such regions as the Middle East and Asia experience higher rates. However, the validity of these claims has been questioned due to methodological inconsistencies and the lack of comparative studies that apply uniform diagnostic criteria across different populations. This narrative review aims to analyze the existing literature to assess whether justifiable support for cultural or national differences regarding PE prevalance truly exists. The review focused on empirical studies spanning from 1995 to 2024 that included men from multiple nationalities or cultures. Studies on patient or specialized populations or that assessed only ejaculation latencies (EL) were excluded. Three categories of studies were reviewed: (1) studies including multiple nationalities within a single analysis, (2) studies from different countries that used an identical method to determine PE status, and (3) studies employing varied methodologies to determine PE status. The review found that differences in PE prevalence across cultures are more likely due to methodological variations than true cultural or national differences. While some trends, such as slightly higher rates in Latin American and Asian countries, were noted, no consistent patterns emerged. Studies using standardized methods, like the PEDT, generally showed prevalence rates between 5% and 15%, with no clear outliers across regions. Thus, current evidence does not support significant cultural or national differences in PE prevalence. Methodological inconsistencies, such as reliance on self-report and non-standardized diagnostic criteria, likely contribute to perceived differences. Future research should focus on using standardized methodologies and include more studies from underrepresented regions, such as Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Adolescence is a stage of significant intrapersonal and interpersonal changes, influenced by cultural and historical shifts. This study aims to analyze the changes in heterosexual behaviors among adolescents in Western countries over the past 50 years approximately. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA model, utilizing the online databases EBSCO, WoS, and Scopus, covering the period from 1980 to 2024, across ten European countries. The review focused on studies published in scientific journals with regional or national samples. In addition to the 30 selected studies, three more were included due to their relevance as cited in the selected articles. Despite the considerable methodological heterogeneity, the results showed a relative stabilization of the differences in sexual behaviors of boys and girls throughout time. Those differences were more evident in Southern European countries. Some changes were also noted, such as the delay in the initiation of the first sexual intercourse, a trend observed over the last decade. The findings are discussed in terms of the sexual script theory, highlighting the importance of these mental frameworks in the heteronormative sexual socialization of boys and girls. Future research should emphasize the diversity of heterosexual behaviors, their significance, and the emotional experiences that accompany them. Full article

Using semi-structured, qualitative interviews of 25 heterosexual Muslim women residing in the US, the author examines the extent to which respondents simultaneously constructed and deconstructed the gender dichotomy when explaining sexuality, countering reductionist accounts of Muslim women’s sexuality. Integrating concepts of religiosity and gender norms, respondents reconfigured the dominant discourse of power and sexuality in innovative ways. One of the main themes that emerged from this research is that male sex drive discourse, typically associated with power and “machismo” within the traditional sexual script, was reimagined by Muslim women as an indicator of women’s greater strength in the eyes of God. Full article

As gender-based violence, obstetric violence is a complex phenomenon that represents a matter for debate worldwide. The main objective of this exploratory study is to understand the experiences of obstetric violence during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period of racialised Brazilian women in the Portuguese National Health System. Using a qualitative case study research approach, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with ten racialised Brazilian women who gave birth in Portugal. A thematic qualitative analysis was used. The findings reveal significant cases of obstetric violence, which include the complexities and lack of support, assistance and monitoring networks, structural inequalities, neglect, and intersectional discriminatory practices based on racial and cultural prejudices, as well as reflection. These experiences not only affect the physical health of mothers but also have profound psychological and emotional consequences. This study highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive care and the implementation of policies to prevent obstetric violence, ensuring that the rights and dignity of migrant mothers are upheld. By highlighting these critical issues, this study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on maternal health care and promote social justice for these historically marginalised groups. Full article

Trauma recovery research requires the development of instruments that capture gender-based violence (GBV) survivor recovery phases. The salutogenic concepts in Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) (manageability, comprehensibility, and meaning) could help capture trauma recovery stages, but the factorial structure of the SOC-13 has remained problematic. Moreover, most SOC revisions generally abandon the original intent of the SOC-13, developing scales that capture essential but different aspects of positive psychology. This study used mixed methods to develop the Sense of Meaning Inventory (SOMI), preserving the original concepts but updating the language, removing cultural idioms, and revising the response scales to stabilize the subscales. The qualitative phase evaluated and updated the items of the scale while retaining the original concepts. The quantitative phase conducted a two-sample psychometrics reliability and validity evaluation of the new scale with GBV survivors, finding a three-factor solution. This scale may be more amenable for international research and theory testing in GBV and other health conditions. Full article

Communication concerning sexual consent among young people is a significant concern for prevention in our society today. While sexual consent awareness campaigns (SCACs) hold importance in various communication modes, they predominantly rely on speech acts despite scientific literature providing other elements beyond these. This research aims to fill this gap through dialogues between young people and the scientific literature. A content analysis of 23 international and national campaigns was conducted alongside fieldwork in Spain with 77 young participants (18–25 years old) and 24 professionals from the field of education and society engaging in dialogue with scientific evidence on sexual consent. The results provide three aspects for future campaigns: (a) to be based on scientific evidence, (b) to introduce clear examples of coercive discourse and interactive power, and (c) to aim at new alternative masculinities rather than targeting potential victims. Full article

This narrative review offers a deep dive into the theoretical and empirical literature on adolescent online health information-seeking behavior, specifically in relation to sexual health. It presents ways in which motivational influences impact adolescent social media use to seek sexual health information and offers insight into how Longo’s comprehensive and integrated model for understanding health information, communication, and information-seeking and self-determination theory may be used as frameworks for improved understanding in adolescent use of social media for seeking information related to sexual health. The main objectives of this article are, first, to examine the existing literature pertaining to social media, namely its main characteristics and uses by adolescents, its use as an educational tool, and its relation to health information; second, to explore information-seeking and learning through online platforms, particularly social media; and third, to provide a framework utilizing self-determination theory to better understand adolescent motivation in health-seeking behavior. This manuscript advances current knowledge and practices in supporting adolescent skill-development surrounding information-seeking and evaluation behaviors. Such practices will only become more beneficial as young people seek information in various settings (e.g., online, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence systems), particularly sensitive information such as that related to sexual health. Full article

Peer-reviewed journal articles provide the data for this study, given that their findings undergird the quantitative data referenced by prominent organizations, courts, and policy-makers. The “Espy file”, based on the research of Major Watt Espy, Jr., is used to identify studies due to the dataset’s esteem and prolific usage. It is the largest known dataset of men’s and women’s executions in the United States since 1608 and has been of monumental significance to capital punishment research. The protocol established by the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) is the methodology followed due to its conformity to scientific standards and acceptance in scholarly communities. The initial sampling frame involved 613 studies which were narrowed to 79 peer-reviewed journal articles that cited or utilized the Espy file. The empirical findings justify the contention that past and current studies, while interdisciplinary, require new voices and approaches to contribute to the study of capital punishment. Mainstream death penalty research does not generally incorporate critical theories including, for example, gender, intersectional, Black feminist, Queer, and other theories that focus less on quantitative data and more on how capital punishment is a reflection of institutional, historical, and social processes that are hierarchical and defined by power. The findings suggest that not only are executed women removed from many analyses, but so are inclusionary methodologies and theoretical approaches that could bolster the legitimacy of academic studies (inside academia as well as the judicial system) and our understanding of capital punishment in general. Full article

University women are vulnerable to engaging in risky sexual behaviors (RSBs), which are related to academic stress, alcohol, and tobacco consumption. The aim of this study was to identify profiles of university women who associate RSBs with alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption level, and frequency of academic stress. A total of 534 female university students from Mexican universities answered an online questionnaire with five instruments related to their sexual behavior, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, and academic stress. They were studying to become professionals in health sciences, administration and social sciences, engineering, and “others” with grade point averages ranging from 5.7 to 10/10. They had to sign an informed consent and acknowledge having had at least one sexual relationship with anal or vaginal penetration before participating. A multiple correspondence analysis yielded a parsimonious solution with the following three dimensions that explained 38.60% of the variance: 1 “pregnancy”; 2 “number of sexual partners”; 3 “substance use”. Using a point cloud clustering strategy based on the Euclidean distance between categories in a two-dimensional space, five profiles were identified: Conservative and Prudent, Active Promiscuous, Vulnerable Reproductive Health, STI Risk, and Moderate Risk Behaviors. The estimation of ellipses with 95% confidence from the calculation of centroids allowed for the integration of two profiles: Lower probability of RSB and Higher probability of RSB. The contribution of academic stress was null with respect to the model solution, so this variable was discarded. The results identified particular risk profiles in female university students. These findings are useful for the development of differentiated intervention strategies to reduce RSB in this vulnerable group. Full article

The extent to which estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone influence mating behavior across the menstrual cycle is unclear. The Proactive and Responsive Mating Strategies Scales (PARMSS) were developed to separately examine two specific components of sexuality and were used here to test divergent hormonal associations. Preliminary psychometric data (N = 364 females) suggest that both scales consist of one factor and demonstrate strong psychometric properties (internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct and convergent validity). The PARMSS were used in a repeated-measures observational study to examine the relationships between changes in endogenous hormone levels and both proactive and responsive mating intentions with potential new short-term or long-term partners in healthy pre-menopausal participants (N = 38). At two points in their cycle, participants provided salivary hormone samples in the laboratory and reported the likelihood of engaging in proactive and responsive behaviors with men in photos and vignettes. Participants reported greater responsive than proactive intentions. Increases in estradiol and testosterone across the cycle were associated with increases in short-term mating intentions, particularly responsivity to potential short-term relationship partners. No associations were found for intentions that were proactive or that involved potential long-term partners or for progesterone. Changes in the three hormones explained changes in short-term responsive mating intentions (22% of the variance). The results suggest (a) cyclical changes in estradiol and testosterone are differentially associated with changes in responsive vs. proactive mating intentions and (b) context-dependent changes (i.e., short-term vs. long-term mating intentions and possibly relationship status). The findings require replication with larger and diverse samples. Full article

Social power can activate behavior toward goal attainment. In the context of romantic and sexual relationships, social power may facilitate competitor derogation tactics and self-promotion tactics to attract a partner. We hypothesized that perceived invulnerability to harm would provide a pathway linking social power to competitor derogation, whereas self-perceived mate value would provide a pathway linking social power to self-promotion. Findings from 218 participants (M_age = 38 years) revealed that experimentally manipulated social power enhanced perceived invulnerability, which in turn was positively associated with competitor derogation. Social power did not affect ratings of self-perceived mate value. Women more strongly endorsed self-promotion in pursuit of a short-term (vs. long-term) relationship, whereas men’s ratings did not vary by relationship goal. Our findings suggested that social power may influence goal-directed thinking and behavior in the context of romantic and sexual relationships. Full article

We sought to understand how the mental state of religious queer individuals is affected by religious marginalization and queer identity. Using a multi-method approach, we analyzed data from 626 participants to assess how a queer status affected psychological distress and life satisfaction, the mediating effect of strength of faith on the relationship between the queer status and life satisfaction, and the moderating effect of experiences with marginalization on the relationship between the strength of faith, psychological distress, and life satisfaction. Queer status was found to have a significant impact on queer individuals’ psychological wellness and life satisfaction. Marginalization experiences decreased psychological wellness and life satisfaction. Our qualitative analyses add to these results, describing the weaponization of queer identity in religious settings. These results can be attributed to the strong main effects of queer status and strength of faith on psychological distress and life satisfaction rather than tertiary variables. Full article

This study explored the relationships among psychological, relational, and sexual factors and their impact on sexual satisfaction among Italian women during the COVID-19 lockdown. Data were collected via an online survey with 3803 participants. The survey assessed mental health, relationship quality, frequency of sexual intercourse, frequency of masturbation, body awareness, and sexual satisfaction. Correlation analyses revealed positive relationships among all the variables and negative relationships with low mental health. A network analysis showed that sexual satisfaction was the most central variable, strongly linked to relationship quality, frequency of sexual intercourse, and body awareness. An exploratory mediation model examined the indirect effects of mental health and frequency of masturbation on sexual satisfaction through the other variables as mediators. The results indicated that mental health negatively influenced sexual satisfaction both directly and indirectly through relationship quality and body awareness, while frequency of masturbation had a positive indirect effect through body awareness. These findings highlight the complex interplay among mental health, body awareness, relational factors, and sexual satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches in enhancing sexual well-being. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causality and explore interventions that promote positive body awareness and relationship quality. Full article