Diverse Sexual Behaviors and Pornography Use: Findings From a Nationally Representative Probability Survey of Americans Aged 18 to 60 Years.

BACKGROUND: Convenience sample data indicate that substantial portions of adults have engaged in sexual behaviors sometimes described as rough; little is known about these behaviors at the population level. AIM: To describe, in a U.S. probability sample of Americans aged 18 to 60 years, (i) the prevalence of diverse sexual behaviors, described here as dominant and target behaviors; (ii) the age at first pornography exposure as well as prevalence, range, and frequency of pornography use; (iii) the association between past year pornography use frequency and dominant/target sexual behaviors; and (iv) associations between lifetime range of pornography use and dominant/target sexual behaviors. METHODS: A confidential cross-sectional online survey was used in this study. OUTCOMES: Lifetime engagement in dominant behaviors (eg, spanking, choking, name calling, performing aggressive fellatio, facial ejaculation, penile-anal penetration without first asking/discussing) and lifetime engagement in target behaviors (eg, being spanked, being choked, being called names during sex, having their face ejaculated on, receiving aggressive fellatio, or receiving penile-anal penetration without having discussed) were assessed; lifetime pornography use, age at first porn exposure, past-year frequency of porn viewing, and lifetime range of pornography were also assessed. RESULTS: Women as well as men who have sex with men were more likely to report target sexual behaviors: having been choked (21.4% women), having one's face ejaculated on (32.3% women, 52.7% men who have sex with men), and aggressive fellatio (34.0% women). Lifetime pornography use was reported by most respondents. After adjusting for age, age at first porn exposure, and current relationship status, the associations between pornography use and sexual behaviors was statistically significant. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians need to be aware of recent potential shifts in sexual behaviors, particularly those such as choking that may lead to harm. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include U.S. probability sampling to provide population level estimates and the use of Internet-based data collection on sensitive topics. We were limited by a lack of detail and context related to understanding the diverse sexual behaviors assessed. CONCLUSION: Clinicians, educators, and researchers have unique and important roles to play in continued understanding of these sexual behaviors in the contemporary United States. Herbenick D, Fu T-C, Wright P, et al. Diverse Sexual Behaviors and Pornography Use: Findings From a Nationally Representative Probability Survey of Americans Aged 14 to 60 Years. J Sex Med 2020;17:623-633.

Feeling Scared During Sex: Findings From a U.S. Probability Sample of Women and Men Ages 14 to 60.

Using data from a U.S. probability survey of individuals aged 14 to 60, we aimed (1) to assess the proportion of respondents who ever reported scary sexual situations and (2) to examine descriptions of sexual experiences reported as scary. Data were cross-sectional and collected via the GfK KnowledgePanel®. Scary sexual situations were reported by 23.9% of adult women, 10.3% of adult men, 12.5% of adolescent women, and 3.8% of adolescent men who had ever engaged in oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Themes included sexual assault/rape, incest, being held down, anal sex, choking, threats, multiple people, novelty/learning, among others.

Multi-Level Determinants of Food Insecurity among Racially and Ethnically Diverse College Students.

Compared with the general population, the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) is higher among college students. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated FI disparities and highlighted the need for further research to better understand and address FI in this population. Although race and ethnicity are two of the strongest predictors of FI among college students, little research is available on the determinants of FI among racial/ethnic minority college students. A cross-sectional study (n = 588) based on the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities research framework was examined to identify population-specific determinants of FI among racially/ethnically diverse college students through the assessment of multiple domains (behavioral, environmental, socio-cultural) and levels of influence (individual, interpersonal, and community levels). Discrimination was the sole predictor of FI for non-Hispanic Black students. Coping mechanisms for FI (savings, reduced intake) and body mass index (BMI) were predictors of FI for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White students. Additionally, decreased holistic support from faculty and staff was also observed as a predictor of FI in Hispanic students. Implications include the need for further research and the development of multi-level, tailored interventions to address FI among college students with the goal of decreasing disparities.

Can the Healthy Start Risk Screen Predict Perinatal Depressive Symptoms among High-Risk Women?

OBJECTIVES: Early detection of depression in at-risk populations is critical for ensuring better maternal and child health outcomes. This study assessed whether Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Screening (HSPRS) could predict depressive symptoms in women enrolled in a Healthy Start (HS) program in under-resourced, high-risk communities of Hillsborough County. METHODS: Data from HS participants were included for those who were evaluated using the HSPRS and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A correlation analysis determined if the HSPRS score was associated with a positive EPDS screen, and HSPRS questions related to the participants psychosocial environment were assessed individually to determine their predictive potential. The crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR (controlling for sociodemographic covariates) were calculated for each question of interest. RESULTS: A total of 736 women were included, with 122 (16.5%) scoring 14 or greater on the EPDS, indicating probable depression risk. There were significant differences between women at risk for depression compared to those not at risk regarding maternal age (p-value = 0.03) and marital status (p-value = 0.01). There were no significant differences in education, ethnicity, or race. The total HSPRS score had a weak yet significant correlation with the EPDS score (r = 0.14, p-value = 0.0001), and seven individual HSPRS questions were significantly associated with risk for perinatal depression. Conclusions for Practice: By focusing on responses to key HSPRS questions rather than the overall score, women may receive access to much needed services more quickly, thereby reducing the risk for poorer maternal and developmental outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: A young maternal age and single marital status have been identified as risk factors for perinatal depression. Additionally, women from racial/ethnic minority groups or low-income populations are more likely to experience depression. Thus, in communities where women exhibit many pre-identified risk factors for perinatal depression, the ability to quickly identify those at the highest risk is imperative. This work indicates that among medically and socially high-risk mothers enrolled in a HS program, the overall HSPRS score was not as predictive of perinatal depression as individual responses to key questions. Attention to these responses could result in women receiving much needed services quicker.