The Conceptualization and Measurement of Sexual Self-Concept and Sexual Self-Schema: A Systematic Literature Review.

Sexual self-concept and sexual self-schema are multidimensional constructs critical to developing a more holistic theoretical understanding of the sexual self. With an increased amount of research exploring these constructs over the past few decades, a systematic review was warranted to highlight next steps for future research in this area. Therefore, utilizing a staged systematic review, we aimed to explore how these parallel concepts are measured and among which populations they are used. The evaluation of 236 unique manuscripts published 1990-2020 revealed the use of 38 established or constructed measures of sexual self-concept, and 16 established or constructed measures of sexual self-schema. Three distinct measures were used in more than one-fifth of the studies reviewed, although the use of full-form measures vs. subscales differed across studies. Although there was diversity in the samples used in the studies reviewed, these studies were conducted most commonly with samples consisting of individuals who were primarily, if not solely, cisgender, women, heterosexual, White, non-college attending, U.S. residents, and/or had no unique characteristics identified (e.g., cancer patient/survivor, pregnant). The largest proportion of studies reviewed examined sexual self-concept during emerging adulthood, followed by early adulthood and middle adulthood. Suggested directions for future research in this area include (a) reexamining and testing how current measures are capturing these constructs and among whom; (b) expanding samples to include and/or target specifically gender, sexual, and racial/ethnic minoritized groups as well as individuals with unique characteristics that would affect sexual well-being; and (c) utilizing samples in childhood, adolescence, and late adulthood.

Risk Markers for Male Perpetration of Sexual Assault on College Campuses: A Meta-Analysis.

Sexual assault (SA) on college campuses remains a prominent public health issue. This meta-analysis focuses on identifying all potential risk markers for college male SA perpetration. Using standard search procedures, a total of 25 studies yielding 89 unique effect sizes were included in the study. Significant risk markers were related to hegemonic masculinity (e.g., peer approval of SA, rape myth acceptance, sexist beliefs, hostility towards women), other forms of dating violence perpetration (e.g., physical and psychological dating violence perpetration), and the college party culture (e.g., binge drinking, alcohol and substance use, frequency of hook-ups). Psychological dating violence victimization, athletic team membership, race/ethnicity, relationship status, and religiosity were not significant risk markers for SA perpetration. Findings support potential benefits of SA prevention efforts prioritizing peer education/student leaders modeling SA disapproval, challenging hegemonic masculinity, healthy relationship and sexual education, as well as alcohol and substance use awareness.

Assessing Public Opinions of Sexual Advance Directives Among Older Adults With Dementia.

This study used a mixed-method research design to examine public attitudes toward sexual advance directives (SADs), a theoretical legal document intended to protect the sexual rights of individuals across the lifespan. Respondents (N = 537) largely indicated that SADs should exist (65.4%) to preserve autonomy and protect resident rights, but they would not sign one right now (60.4%) because they were too young. Linear regression analyses revealed statistical associations between education level, relationship length, and sexual instrumentality for the existence of SADs, while gender, age, perceived importance of sexuality, and sexual self-disclosure were associated with whether a respondent would sign the document now. Overall analyses indicate that valuing sexual expression as a right, autonomy, sexuality in older age, and sexual communication led to a greater amount of general support for SADs. Respondents were sensitive to the concerns of SADs in the context of fluid consent between partners and their safety.

Is separate the new equal? A meta-analytic review of correlates of intimate partner violence victimization for Black and White women in the United States.

Black women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at higher rates than White women, and are more likely to experience more serious injuries, serious mental health diagnoses, or even death as consequences of IPV. Most research on factors associated with physical IPV does not primarily focus on Black women experiencing IPV. To be able to offer targeted intervention and prevention services, understanding unique correlates is critical. To address these discrepancies and better conceptualize factors associated with IPV for Black women, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine correlates for male physical IPV perpetration/female IPV victimization among predominantly Black samples. Next, strengths of correlates for male IPV perpetration/female IPV victimization were compared between Black and White samples. From an original pool of 759 articles examining correlates for IPV perpetration and victimization, 21 articles were usable that had a sufficient percentage (at least 75%) of Black participants and 80 articles that had a sufficient percentage (at least 75%) of White participants. Five significant correlates for male perpetration and seven significant correlates for female victimization in predominantly Black samples were identified. Comparisons for male perpetration/female victimization between predominantly White and Black samples were conducted for nine correlates, and one-third of these correlates (male emotional abuse perpetration, female post-traumatic stress symptoms, and female alcohol use) were significantly stronger correlates in Black populations compared to White populations. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

The Dark Side of the Rainbow: Queer Women's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide issue that, although often thought of as a very gendered and heteronormative crime (male perpetrators and female victims within heterosexual relationships), occurs in all kinds of relationships. The purpose of this study is to examine and raise awareness of how IPV operates within female same-gender relationships. Researchers utilized a narrative inquiry framework, as well as thematic analysis, in order to conduct a qualitative synthesis of articles that examined IPV in female same-gender relationships. Articles were identified through database searches for studies published between 2000 and 2019 using key search terms. Studies were included if they were qualitative in nature (including direct quotes from participants), examined IPV within female same-gender relationships, and were written in English. A total of 19 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Findings were categorized as barriers to help and support, themes within experiences of IPV, or recommendations for helping professionals. Themes within categories included, among others, a lack of framework to identify abuse; mistrust of law enforcement; power dynamics related to parenthood, race, and gender presentation; and fears of contributing to heterosexism. Findings from this study can serve to better inform helping professionals about considerations to keep in mind when working within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, plus various additional sexual minorities' communities and survivors of female same-gender violence.

Sexual Violence and Mental Health: An Analysis of the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion Using a Feminist Lens.

Feminist theories describe how women who experience sexual violence often internalize cultural narratives which can lead to self-blame and disconnection. Self-compassion has the potential to provide a buffer against these negative outcomes. This study explored self-compassion as a mediator of the association between experiencing sexual violence and negative mental health outcomes. The sample consisted of 368 undergraduate women. A path analysis revealed that experiencing sexual violence prior to the beginning of the semester was positively associated with self-criticism, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms at the end of the semester directly and indirectly through self-compassion mid-semester. Clinical and research implications are also discussed.

Sex Feelings: A Mediated Group Path Analysis of the Association of Perceptions of Parent Communicated Sexual Values with Sexual Attitudes and Outcomes in Emerging Adulthood.

Although communication between parents and children about sexually transmitted diseases and avoiding unwanted pregnancy has been shown to be effective in increasing safe sex practices, parents also implicitly (or explicitly) communicate their own values and attitudes about sex in conversations with their children that might have impacts on their children's sexual feelings and behaviors beyond adolescence. Data were collected from undergraduate students in a human development class (N = 351; 265 women). Multiple group path analysis was used to investigate how emerging adults' perceptions of their parents' sexual values, either leaning toward sexual exploration or abstinence, were associated with their own sexual attitudes, frequency of sexual activity with a partner, desired frequency of sexual activity with a partner and sexual satisfaction. Sexual exploration and abstinence values communicated by parents were significantly associated with emerging adults' permissive and instrumental sexual attitudes; however, only permissive sexual attitudes mediated relationships between parental values and emerging adult sexual outcomes. Only parent-communicated abstinence values had significant direct effect on any of the sexual outcomes (sexual satisfaction). Additionally, gender only moderated the direct relationship between parental abstinence values and sexual frequency; this relationship was significant only for women.

Navigating "Breakup Remorse": Implications for Disrupting the On-Again/Off-Again Cycles in Young Adult Dating Relationships.

While the research is clear on the risks for distress associated with on-again, off-again romantic relationships (i.e., cyclical relationships), little is known about the change mechanisms experienced by partners in cyclical relationships or how helping professionals can assist young adults stably continue or end these relationships. Young adults (N = 21) in different stages of cyclical relationships (renewed, ended, or contemplating renewal) attended focus groups and articulated specific mechanisms that influenced their ability to make distress-reducing decisions. Main themes for professionals working with partners in cyclical relationships centered on promoting "decision-making resilience," which included addressing issues around identity development, communication, power/control dynamics, and intentionality. These results inform assessments and interventions to bolster resilience and reduce distress for cyclical couples.

Sanctification and Cheating Among Emerging Adults.

Cheating-a general term for extradyadic romantic or sexual behavior that violates expectations in a committed romantic relationship-is common and leads to a number of poor outcomes. Religion has historically influenced conceptions of romantic relationships, but societal attitudes about religion are in flux as many seek to retain spirituality even as affiliations with formal religion decrease. The present study evaluated a potential predictor of cheating that is more spiritual than formally religious, the "psychospiritual" concept of relationship sanctification (i.e., the idea that one's relationship itself is sacred). In a sample of college students in committed relationships (N = 716), we found that higher levels of self-reported relationship sanctification were associated with a lower likelihood of both physical and emotional cheating even when accounting for plausible alternate explanations (general religiosity, problematic alcohol use, and trait self-control). This association was mediated via permissive sexual attitudes; specifically, higher levels of sanctification were associated with less permissive sexual attitudes which, in turn, predicted a lower likelihood of emotional and physical cheating.