A busca de si-mesmo e da identidade nas transformações corporais / La búsqueda del yo y de la identidad en las transformaciones corporales / The search for self and identity in bodily transformations / La recherche de soi et de l'identité à travers les transformations corporelles

Este artigo procura analisar os principais acontecimentos e conquistas do processo de constituição da identidade no quadro da teoria do desenvolvimento emocional de Winnicott. Trata-se, em termos de caminho, ou método, de uma proposta de teoria psicanalítica aplicada à compreensão de fenômenos comportamentais de domínio público. Para analisarmos esse processo, apoiamo-nos na análise do sentido dado ao uso de tatuagens e de outras transformações corporais, nos casos em que estas implicam modificações que não seriam apenas adornos da pessoa, mas têm maior amplitude e podem estar a serviço de uma busca pela própria identidade. Consideramos que a identidade, ou sentimento de si mesmo identitário, está associada ao seguinte conjunto de experiências: a de ser, sem predicado; a de ser-com, associada aos fenômenos transicionais; a de ser-diferente-de, possível ao conquistar-se o status do eu sou; e a de ser-predicável, quando o indivíduo chegou à integração como uma pessoa inteira

Este artículo busca analizar los principales acontecimientos y logros del proceso de constitución de la identidad en el marco de la teoría del desarrollo emocional de Winnicott. Es, en términos de camino o método, una propuesta de la teoría psicoanalítica aplicada a la comprensión de los fenómenos conductuales en el dominio público.Para analizar este proceso, nos apoyamos en el análisis del significado que se le da al uso de tatuajes y otras transformaciones corporales en los casos en que implican cambios que no serían solo adornos de la persona, sino que tienen mayor amplitud y pueden estar al servicio de una búsqueda de la propia identidad. Consideramos que la identidad, o un sentido de identidad, se asocia con el siguiente conjunto de experiencias: la del ser, sin predicado; la del ser-con, asociada a fenómenos transicionales; la del ser-diferente-de, posible conquistando el estatus del Yo Soy; y el de ser predecible, cuando el individuo llega a la integración como persona total

The purpose of this article is to analyze the main events and accomplishments of the identity constitution process according to Winnicott's experience of the emotional development. It is, in terms of path, or method, a proposal of psychoanalytic theory applied to the understanding of behavioral phenomena in the public domain.To study this process, our analysis is based on the meaning given to the use of tattoos and other physical changes in cases involving modifications that are not merely adornments, they are more meaningful and part of the individual's search of his own identity. We consider that identity, or a sense of identity, is associated with the following set of experiences: Am-ness, without predicate; Am-with, related to the transitional phenomena; I-Am-Diferent-From, when it is possible to accomplish the I AM status, differentiating oneself from the world; and I-Am-Predicable, when the individual reaches integration as a Whole Person, when it is possible to ask about the identity question: I am x (x is a predicate of the I)

Cet article vise à analyser les principaux événements et réalisations du processus de constitution de l'identité dans le cadre de la théorie du développement émotionnel de Winnicott. Pour analyser ce processus, nous nous sommes basés sur l'analyse du sens donné à l'utilisation des tatouages et autres transformations corporelles dans les cas où ceux-ci impliquent des modifications qui ne seraient pas seulement des ornements de la personne, mais ont une plus grande amplitude et peuvent être à au service d'une recherche de l'identité personelle. En analysant ce processus, nous commentons l'ensemble d'expériences suivantes: celle d'être, sans prédicat (suis); celui de l'être-avec (suis-avec), associé aux phénomènes transitionnels; celle d'être-différent-de (je-suis-diferent-de), possible en accédant au statut (integation) du "Je" (Je Suis), se différenciant ainsi du monde; et je-suis-prédicable, lorsque l'individu atteint une intégration en tant que personne entière, et où la question de l'identité peut être posée en termes de l'énonce Je suis x (xest un prédicat du Je)

Ritual and the origins of first impressions.

When encountering a stranger for the first time, adults spontaneously attribute to them a wide variety of character traits based solely on their physical appearance, most notably from their face. While these trait inferences exert a pervasive influence over our behaviour, their origins remain unclear. Whereas nativist accounts hold that first impressions are a product of gene-based natural selection, the Trait Inference Mapping framework (TIM) posits that we learn face-trait mappings ontogenetically as a result of correlated face-trait experience. Here, we examine the available anthropological evidence on ritual in order to better understand the mechanism by which first impressions from faces are acquired. Consistent with the TIM framework, we argue that examination of ritual body modification performed by communities around the world demonstrates far greater cross-cultural variability in face-trait mappings than currently appreciated. Furthermore, rituals of this type may be a powerful mechanism through which face-trait associations are transmitted from one generation to the next. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'.

As transformações corporais na adolescência através de tatuagens, piercings e alargadores / Las transformaciones corporales en la adolescencia por medio de tatuajes, piercings y alargadores / The corporate transformations in adolescence through tattoos, piercings and extensions

Tatuagens, piercings e alargadores tornaram-se comuns entre os adolescentes na contemporaneidade. Essas práticas de modificação corporal, embora tenham sido historicamente relacionadas a culturas exóticas e, mais recentemente, a grupos marginalizados, têm adquirido um novo status social. Além da questão estética, é necessário problematizar essas práticas e o que elas desvelam da adolescência moderna. O objetivo deste artigo é, então, discutir tais transformações corporais na adolescência a partir da psicanálise de Freud e Lacan. Considera-se que essas transformações corporais podem funcionar como estratégia pra lidar com as mudanças corporais decorrentes da puberdade e constituir um corpo que possa circular socialmente, ao mesmo tempo que diferencia o eu e do outro.

Los tatuajes, piercings y alargadores se volvieron comunes entre los adolescentes en la contemporaneidad. Aunque estas prácticas de modificación corporal han sido históricamente relacionadas a culturas exóticas y, más recientemente, a grupos marginales, estas transformaciones corporales han adquirido un nuevo status social. Además de la cuestión estética, es necesario problematizar esas prácticas y lo que ellas desvelan en la adolescencia moderna. El objetivo de este artículo es discutir estas transformaciones corporales en la adolescencia a partir del psicoanálisis de Freud y de Lacan. Se considera que estas transformaciones pueden funcionar como una estrategia para lidiar con los cambios corporales de la pubertad y constituir un cuerpo que pueda circular socialmente, al mismo tiempo que diferencia yo y otro.

Tattoos, piercings and tapers have become common among teenagers in contemporary times. Although these forms of body modification have been historically related to exotic cultures and, more recently, to marginalized groups, these body transformations have acquired a new social status. Beyond the aesthetic matter, it is necessary to problematize these practices and what they reveal of modern adolescence. The aim of this article is to discuss body transformations in adolescence from the perspective of the psychoanalysis of Freud and Lacan. It is considered that such transformations can act as a strategy to deal with the changes in the body resulting from puberty and to constitute a body that can circulate socially, whilst it differentiates the self from the other.

[Urological and psychological approach of secondary complications to penile aesthetic modifications]. / Abordaje urológico y psicológico de las complicaciones secundarias a las modificaciones estéticas peneanas.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the scarcity of scientific articles that review the technical alternatives available for aesthetic modifications in the penis that are the cause of subsequent uro-andrological problems, the existing literature is reviewed after the assistance of a penile infection by injection of subcutaneous hyaluronic acid with aesthetic purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 38-year-old male patient with no medical or psychiatric remarkable reports who came to the emergency room due to inflammation and abscess in penile skin after injection of hyaluronic acid. Surgical treatment was required and degloving and excision of affected skin was performed, with subsequent satisfactory evolution. The psychological analysis showed a narcissistic personality possibly secondary to traumas in childhood. We have reviewed the literature present in medical databases as well as information available on-line. RESULTS: Enlargement of the penis is an important cultural and social concern, so that there are different devices in the market to meet this demand, among them: herbal medicine, stretching exercises, weights, vacuum pumps or extensor devices. Among the surgical techniques, there have been described the pubic liposuction, the section of the suspensory ligament of the penis or the injection of autologous material or synthetic substances among others. As for the aesthetic modifications of the penis, there is a wide variety of genital piercings, tattoos and subcutaneous implants also called "pocketing" or "3D implants". All of these techniques or modifications are described in this article along with their possible associated more frequent urological complications. CONCLUSIONS: Aesthetic manipulations in the penis are becoming increasingly popular, and both its terminology and its medical implications should be known by urologists and andrologists. community.

Understanding cosmetic surgery consideration in Chinese adolescent girls: Contributions of materialism and sexual objectification.

Based on objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model, this study examined psychological predictors of cosmetic surgery consideration in 314 Chinese adolescent girls. Path analyses revealed several findings. First, both interpersonal sexual objectification and materialism contributed to internalized appearance ideals, which in turn related to body surveillance, body shame, and facial appearance concerns. Second, the association between materialism and internalized appearance ideals was independent of the association between materialism and interpersonal sexual objectification. Third, internalized appearance ideals were linked to cosmetic surgery consideration via body surveillance and facial appearance concerns. Fourth, while internalized appearance ideals were associated with body shame, body shame did not mediate its association with cosmetic surgery consideration. Fifth, instead of body shame, facial appearance concerns mediated that link between body surveillance and cosmetic surgery consideration as well as the link between internalized appearance ideals and cosmetic surgery consideration. This study provides support to the basic tenets of objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model as applied to Chinese adolescent girls' willingness to consider cosmetic surgery. It suggests that using a measure that is more sensitive to salient cultural concerns is important when attempting to understand body image issues in different cultural contexts.

[Body modifications and sexual health : Impact of tattoos, body piercing and esthetic genital plastic surgery on the sexual health of women and men]. / Körpermodifikation und sexuelle Gesundheit : Einfluss von Tattoo, Piercing und ästhetisch-plastischer Chirurgie im Genitalbereich auf die sexuelle Gesundheit von Frauen und Männern.

The present paper addresses the psychological impact of body modifications (e.g. tattoos, body piercing and esthetic genital plastic surgery) on the sexual health of individuals and refers to past and present research insights. Body modifications are understood as invasive interventions on the human body, especially interventions on the human skin which result in (semi-)permanent changes. Tattoos and body piercing (in particular genital piercing) positively affect the sexual satisfaction and the sexual appeal of men and women but there is a controversial association with high risk sexual behavior. Moreover, this article focuses on esthetic genital plastic surgery based on the increasing interest and insights of the impact on female genital self-perception and sexual behavior.

Understanding intra-vaginal and labia minora elongation practices among women heads-of-households in Zambézia Province, Mozambique.

Intra-vaginal drying and tightening and labia minora elongation are commonly practised in some parts of southern Africa. We sought to capture data on these practices among women living in Zambézia province, Mozambique. Information was gathered from 3543 female heads of household on > 500 variables, including vaginal practices, in 2014. Women who planned to use intra-vaginal tightening substances had 1.84 times higher odds of ever receiving an HIV test (p < 0.001) and 1.40 times higher odds of at least one antenatal care visit attended during last pregnancy (p = 0.015). Women who had or planned to undergo labia minora elongation had 2.61 times higher odds of receiving an HIV test in the past (p < 0.001) and 1.60 times higher odds of attending at least one antenatal care visit during their last pregnancy (p < 0.001). There was little evidence for a relationship between self-reported HIV status and anticipated use of intra-vaginal tightening substances (p = 0.21). Current or anticipated participation in labia elongation showed a protective effect on HIV infection (p = 0.028). Given documented associations between intra-vaginal substance use, vaginal infections and HIV acquisition, understanding the prevalence of vaginal practices is an essential component to addressing the epidemic.

O ato de tatuar-se: gozo e identificação o ato de tatuar-se / The act of getting oneself tattooed: jouissance and identification

Este artigo consiste em uma articulação teórica acerca do ato de tatuar-se e sua relação com o eu. Para tanto, os autores seguem bordejando a tatuagem, baseando-se, principalmente, nas conceituações de Freud e Lacan sobre o corpo, o sujeito e o eu. Este trabalho buscou discutir o ato de tatuar-se, tomando-o de maneira singular. Concluiu-se que esse ato pode remeter a uma forma de linguagem que aponta para a subjetividade, trabalhando a serviço da busca identitária e circunscrevendo-se no registro Simbólico. Pode também se apresentar como tentativa de fazer borda a angústias inomináveis, circunscrevendo-se no registro Imaginário. Entretanto, é no Real que a tatuagem se destaca. Considerada um hibridismo entre traço e letra, a tatuagem aproxima-se de formações do inconsciente e, portanto, é transcrita na carne e não passível de tradução, apenas de transliteração

This article of a theoretical articulation on the act of getting oneself tattooed and its relationship with the ego. Therefore, the authors follow bordering the tattoo, based on, mainly, Freud and Lacan's conceptualizations about the body, the subject and the ego. This work aimed to discuss the act of getting oneself tattooed, taking it under a singular form. It was concluded that this act may refer to a form of language that points to subjectivity, working under the service of the identitary search and circumscribing itself on the Symbolic register. It may also presented itself as an attempt to make border to nameless anguishes, circumscribing itself in the Imaginary register. Nevertheless, it is on the Real that the tattoo is highlighted. Considered a hybrid between trace and letter, the tattoo approaches to formations of the unconscious and, for chat, borrowing concepts form Allouch, is transcribed in the flesh and is not subjectible of translation, only of transliteration

O ato de tatuar-se: gozo e identificação o ato de tatuar-se / The act of getting oneself tattooed: jouissance and identification

Este artigo consiste em uma articulação teórica acerca do ato de tatuar-se e sua relação com o eu. Para tanto, os autores seguem bordejando a tatuagem, baseando-se, principalmente, nas conceituações de Freud e Lacan sobre o corpo, o sujeito e o eu. Este trabalho buscou discutir o ato de tatuar-se, tomando-o de maneira singular. Concluiu-se que esse ato pode remeter a uma forma de linguagem que aponta para a subjetividade, trabalhando a serviço da busca identitária e circunscrevendo-se no registro Simbólico. Pode também se apresentar como tentativa de fazer borda a angústias inomináveis, circunscrevendo-se no registro Imaginário. Entretanto, é no Real que a tatuagem se destaca. Considerada um hibridismo entre traço e letra, a tatuagem aproxima-se de formações do inconsciente e, portanto, é transcrita na carne e não passível de tradução, apenas de transliteração.(AU)

This article of a theoretical articulation on the act of getting oneself tattooed and its relationship with the ego. Therefore, the authors follow bordering the tattoo, based on, mainly, Freud and Lacan's conceptualizations about the body, the subject and the ego. This work aimed to discuss the act of getting oneself tattooed, taking it under a singular form. It was concluded that this act may refer to a form of language that points to subjectivity, working under the service of the identitary search and circumscribing itself on the Symbolic register. It may also presented itself as an attempt to make border to nameless anguishes, circumscribing itself in the Imaginary register. Nevertheless, it is on the Real that the tattoo is highlighted. Considered a hybrid between trace and letter, the tattoo approaches to formations of the unconscious and, for chat, borrowing concepts form Allouch, is transcribed in the flesh and is not subjectible of translation, only of transliteration.(AU)

Zambian Women in South Africa: Insights Into Health Experiences of Labia Elongation.

Labia minora elongation consists in the manual stretching of the inner lips of the external genitalia. This practice is documented in east and southern Africa. The experiences of African women in the diaspora practicing elongation are not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the health harms and benefits associated with this practice of Zambian women who have migrated to Cape Town, South Africa. Twenty women and seventeen men participated in this study. Between December 2013 and May 2014, in-depth interviews and natural group discussions were conducted with the participants. The focus of this article is to report on the emic of the women related to notions of health, hygiene, and well-being. Labial elongation is perceived as a practice involving minor, short-term adverse effects that can be prevented by following some basic hygiene. Overall, personal and social value is placed on this practice because of its reported benefits for the sexual health of men and women, and for women's femininity and self-image. Further research is necessary on how female genital modifications influence Zambians' sexual preferences to inform the development of culturally appropriate health promotion interventions.

Rupturas, experiências de choque e o elogio a crua e nua realidade: prenúncios do trauma no fenômeno das Bodymodifications / Breaks, experiences shock and praise to the raw and naked reality: harbingers of trauma in the phenomenon of Bodymodifications

Este artigo problematiza a condição traumatogênica da modernidade no que tange as experiências de choque e a paixão pelo Real tematizadas por autores como Christoph Türcke e Slavoj Zizek que, em nossa hipótese, se "encarnam" em fenômenos como das Bodymodifications. Para tanto, propõe-se um diálogo entre Psicanálise e as injunções histórico-culturais contemporâneas, munido de uma análise-interpretativa do material colhido no site www.bmezine.com. Entende-se que a economia pulsional ligada a tais práticas é correlata ao trauma e ao vício como compulsão a repetição: as feridas autoimpingidas pelos adeptos situam uma tentativa, ainda que inócua, de ligar o excesso energético. Sob uma explícita expressão do amalgama dialético entre pulsão de morte e pulsão de vida emerge o fracasso do princípio de prazer.

This article discusses the condition of modernity in relation to shock experiences and the passion for Real, thematized by authors such as Christoph Türcke and Slavoj Zizek, which in our hypothesis these are "incarnates" in phenomena such as the Bodymodifications. For this purpose, it is proposed a dialogue between psychoanalysis and critical theory, from analysis-interpretative of the material collected on the site www.bmezine.com. It is understood that the wound is situated in a attempt, still failed, to turning on the energetic excess.

Rupturas, experiências de choque e o elogio a crua e nua realidade: prenúncios do trauma no fenômeno das Bodymodifications / Breaks, experiences shock and praise to the raw and naked reality: harbingers of trauma in the phenomenon of Bodymodifications

Este artigo problematiza a condição traumatogênica da modernidade no que tange as experiências de choque e a paixão pelo Real tematizadas por autores como Christoph Türcke e Slavoj Zizek que, em nossa hipótese, se "encarnam" em fenômenos como das Bodymodifications. Para tanto, propõe-se um diálogo entre Psicanálise e as injunções histórico-culturais contemporâneas, munido de uma análise-interpretativa do material colhido no site www.bmezine.com. Entende-se que a economia pulsional ligada a tais práticas é correlata ao trauma e ao vício como compulsão a repetição: as feridas autoimpingidas pelos adeptos situam uma tentativa, ainda que inócua, de ligar o excesso energético. Sob uma explícita expressão do amalgama dialético entre pulsão de morte e pulsão de vida emerge o fracasso do princípio de prazer.(AU)

This article discusses the condition of modernity in relation to shock experiences and the passion for Real, thematized by authors such as Christoph Türcke and Slavoj Zizek, which in our hypothesis these are "incarnates" in phenomena such as the Bodymodifications. For this purpose, it is proposed a dialogue between psychoanalysis and critical theory, from analysis-interpretative of the material collected on the site www.bmezine.com. It is understood that the wound is situated in a attempt, still failed, to turning on the energetic excess.(AU)

My body and me: self-injurious behaviors and body modifications in eating disorders--preliminary results.

We investigated self-injurious behaviors and body modification practices in eating disorder patients, considering different ED diagnoses and illness severities. Of the total sample, 50.9% showed at least one form of self-injury and 50.9% reported at least one tattoo, piercing, or both. Patients reporting only body modifications showed more positive feelings toward their bodies, higher levels of self-esteem, less impulsivity, depression, and anxiety, and lower levels of social dysfunction than those reporting only self-injury or both self-injury and body modifications. Self-injury was influenced by both diagnosis and severity of disorders.

Body art in adolescents: paint, piercings, and perils.

Tattoos and body piercings are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in adolescents and young adults. As the frequency of body art increases, so does the potential for adverse outcomes. Reasons for obtaining body art include need for individual expression and peer support. Techniques for tattooing are advancing, along with development of newer inks that may be less reactive. When patients become tired of their body art, or develop complications from the art itself, removal needs to be considered. Newer laser modalities may provide tattoo removal options with less scarring potential.

Inscrições corporais: tatuagens, piercings e escarificações à luz da psicanálise / Body inscriptions: tattoos, piercing and scraping in the light of psychoanalysis / Inscriptions corporelles: tatouages, piercings, scarifications à la lumière de la psychanalyse / Inscripciones corporales: tatuajes, piercings y escarificaciones a la luz del psicoanálisis

O presente artigo visa apreender os discursos contemporâneos sobre o corpo pensando-o como um espaço de inscrição subjetiva. O trabalho é resultado da interlocução entre pesquisas coordenadas pelas autoras em três programas de pós-graduação, cujo foco recai nos estudos acerca de diferentes modalidades de inscrições corporais.Tomando como crivo de nossas elaborações a psicanálise, enfocamos as tatuagens e as escarificações que, embora distintos, apresentam-se como formas de linguagem.

This article is an attempt to apprehend contemporary discourses about the bodyand see this body as a space for subjective inscription. The article is the result of the interlocution among research projects that focus on the study of different types of body inscription and that are coordinated by the authors at three graduate programs. Taking psychoanalysis as the basis for our discussions, we study tattoos and scraping which, how ever distinct, are both seen as forms of language.

Cet article vise à analyser les discours contemporains sur le corps enl’interprétant comme un espace d’inscription subjective. Ce travail est le résultat d’uneinteraction entre des recherches coordonnées par les auteurs dans trois projets derecherche au niveau doctoral concernant les différentes sortes d’inscriptions corporelles. En prenant la psychanalyse comme point d’ancrage de nos considérations,nous abordons les tatouages et las scarifications, bien que distincts, comme une sorte de langage.

El presente artigo visa aprehender los discursos contemporáneos sobre el cuerpo, pensándolo como un espacio de inscripción subjetiva. El trabajo es resultado de la interlocución entre investigaciones coordenadas por las autoras en tres programas deposgrado, cuyo foco recae en los estudios acerca de diferentes modalidades de inscripciones corporales. Adoptando como criterio de nuestras elaboraciones el psicoanálisis, enfocamos los tatuajes y las escarificaciones, que a pesar de distintos,se presentan como formas de lenguaje.

Inscrições corporais: tatuagens, piercings e escarificações à luz da psicanálise / Body inscriptions: tattoos, piercing and scraping in the light of psychoanalysis

O presente artigo visa apreender os discursos contemporâneossobre o corpo pensando-o como um espaço de inscrição subjetiva. Otrabalho é resultado da interlocução entre pesquisas coordenadaspelas autoras em três programas de pós-graduação, cujo foco recainos estudos acerca de diferentes modalidades de inscrições corporais.Tomando como crivo de nossas elaborações a psicanálise, enfocamosas tatuagens e as escarificações que, embora distintos, apresentam-secomo formas de linguagem.AU

This article is an attempt to apprehend contemporary discourses about the bodyand see this body as a space for subjective inscription. The article is the result of theinterlocution among research projects that focus on the study of different types of bodyinscription and that are coordinated by the authors at three graduate programs. Takingpsychoanalysis as the basis for our discussions, we study tattoos and scraping which,however distinct, are both seen as forms of language.AU

Cet article vise à analyser les discours contemporains sur le corps enl’interprétant comme un espace d’inscription subjective. Ce travail est le résultat d’uneinteraction entre des recherches coordonnées par les auteurs dans trois projets derecherche au niveau doctoral concernant les différentes sortes d’inscriptionscorporelles. En prenant la psychanalyse comme point d’ancrage de nos considérations,nous abordons les tatouages et las scarifications, bien que distincts, comme une sortede langage.AU

El presente artigo visa aprehender los discursos contemporáneos sobre el cuerpo,pensándolo como un espacio de inscripción subjetiva. El trabajo es resultado de lainterlocución entre investigaciones coordenadas por las autoras en tres programas deposgrado, cuyo foco recae en los estudios acerca de diferentes modalidades deinscripciones corporales. Adoptando como criterio de nuestras elaboraciones elpsicoanálisis, enfocamos los tatuajes y las escarificaciones, que a pesar de distintos,se presentan como formas de lenguaje.AU

Evaluation of a psychometric instrument designed to assess the HIV risk behaviors of ex-prisoners.

This study determined the readability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of a questionnaire designed to assess the HIV risk behaviors of ex-prisoners. The questionnaire was administered twice within a 2-week interval to 119 ex-prisoners. The test-retest agreement for the questionnaire's 25 HIV behavior items ranges from 82% to 100%. Of these 25 items, agreement was ''fair'' (k = .20 to .40) for 1, ''moderate'' (k = .40 to .60) for 5, ''substantial'' (k = .60 to .80) for 11, ''almost perfect'' (k = .80 to .99) for 7, and ''perfect'' (k = 1.00) for 1. The overall Cronbach's alpha (Cα) is .81 (p < .001). By subscale, the Cα for tattooing, .89; body piercing, .93; injection drug use, .93; and HIV risk sexual behavior, .79. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that the questionnaire is reliable and internally consistent.

Penile modification in young Thai men: risk environments, procedures and widespread implications for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and types of penile modification and describe the circumstances surrounding this practice among a sample of young methamphetamine users in Thailand. METHODS: A mixed methods study was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2005-6. One hundred young men were surveyed for the quantitative study and in-depth interviews were administered to 9 men, 11 women and 1 transgender. RESULTS: The prevalence of penile modification was 51%, with the most common type being inlaying with muk(s) (61%). The majority of modifications were performed in prison or juvenile detention (80%) by a friend (90%). Motivations for penile modification included peer pressure and perceived enhanced female sexual pleasure. In prison, the practice was veiled in secrecy, the conditions under which modification was performed were unhygienic, sometimes leading to infection, and sharing equipment was common. Men and women reported that condom use was more difficult post modification as condoms were more likely to break or leak and less likely to fit correctly. In addition, sexual intercourse was often painful for the female partner. CONCLUSION: Penile modification is prevalent in this group of young methamphetamine users and is associated with behaviours and consequences that could facilitate the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.