Female Affective Perception of Mainstream and Paraphilic Pornography: Associations with Sexual and Psychological Intrapersonal Variables.

Understanding affective perceptual processes can further contribute to the explanation of motivation and actions, as well as sexual risk behaviors. Pornography can be considered salient emotional content and is popular, also among females. Yet, the female perspective on pornography has often been overlooked and it remains unclear how individual variables may be associated with the affective perception of pornography and could provide a risk profile. Possible associations between several sexual and psychological intrapersonal variables and the affective perception of various forms of pornography were analyzed from the female perspective. A sample of 231 females (M = 21.87 years; SD = 3.9 years) provided ratings of affective valence, arousal, disgust, and moral and ethical acceptance for mainstream pornographic and paraphilic images of dominance, submission, or sexual violence. Paraphilic pornography was perceived as less pleasant, arousing, and moral and ethically acceptable, but more disgusting compared to mainstream pornography. This was more pronounced among females who had never consumed pornography. Results further suggest that the female affective perception of pornography was associated with the following sexual intrapersonal variables: sexual sensation seeking for physical sensations, erotophilia, lack of sexual control, problematic pornography consumption, and sexual disgust sensitivity. Of the assessed psychological intrapersonal variables, only anxiety was negatively associated with disgust for paraphilic pornography. It is important to further analyze the female affective perception of pornography and associated variables to include them in strategies for prevention and for addressing problematic consequences of the acceptance of specific sexual content and behaviors, especially related to sexualized violence.

Distortions in time perception related to videogames, pornography, and TV series exposure: An experimental study in three independent samples.

Background and aims: Time perception is a cognitive process involving both the ability to estimate the duration of an event (time estimation, TE) and the subjective perception of its passage (time passage, TP). Studies show that alteration in TE/TP is associated with substance use disorders. However, little is known about the impact of these alterations in potentially problematic online behaviors. We explore TE and TP while participants were exposed to cues related to videogames, pornography, and TV series, and the relationship of TE and TP with scores from instruments that measure problematic gaming (PG), problematic pornography use (PPU), and problematic binge-watching (BW). Methods: Participants from three independent samples (40 men from Luxembourg; 99 Spanish men, 111 Spanish women) completed an experimental task designed to assess TE and TP while they were exposed to short clips related to videogames, pornography, TV series, and documentaries (control condition). Participants also completed different self-reports. Results: Whereas men underestimated the time that they were exposed to pornography and TV series, women overestimated it. For videogames, we showed a consistent pattern of overestimation of time duration. Time was systematically perceived as passing faster while participants were presented with TV series and pornography. Regarding the association between time perception and PG, PPU, and BW, TE did not correlate with any of the indicators of problematic engagement assessed; but TP correlated with several of these indicators. Discussion and conclusions: The present preliminary results showed mixed evidence regarding the involvement of time perception in gaming, pornography use, and binge-watching.

Experience sampling methods for the personalised prediction of mental health problems in Spanish university students: protocol for a survey-based observational study within the PROMES-U project.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high prevalence of mental health problems among university students. Better prediction and treatment access for this population is needed. In recent years, short-term dynamic factors, which can be assessed using experience sampling methods (ESM), have presented promising results for predicting mental health problems. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Undergraduate students from five public universities in Spain are recruited to participate in two web-based surveys (at baseline and at 12-month follow-up). A subgroup of baseline participants is recruited through quota sampling to participate in a 15-day ESM study. The baseline survey collects information regarding distal risk factors, while the ESM study collects short-term dynamic factors such as affect, company or environment. Risk factors will be identified at an individual and population level using logistic regressions and population attributable risk proportions, respectively. Machine learning techniques will be used to develop predictive models for mental health problems. Dynamic structural equation modelling and multilevel mixed-effects models will be considered to develop a series of explanatory models for the occurrence of mental health problems. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The project complies with national and international regulations, including the Declaration of Helsinki and the Code of Ethics, and has been approved by the IRB Parc de Salut Mar (2020/9198/I) and corresponding IRBs of all participating universities. All respondents are given information regarding access mental health services within their university and region. Individuals with positive responses on suicide items receive a specific alert with indications for consulting with a health professional. Participants are asked to provide informed consent separately for the web-based surveys and for the ESM study. Dissemination of results will include peer-reviewed scientific articles and participation in scientific congresses, reports with recommendations for universities' mental health policy makers, as well as a well-balanced communication strategy to the general public. STUDY REGISTRATION: osf.io/p7csq.

Atypical Sexual Interests in Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Results From a Phallometric Study.

The link between Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB) and atypical sexual interests is elusive. This study aimed to provide preliminary insights into the relationship between both aspects. The study sample comprised 61 self-identified straight men. CSB was measured through a composite self-report index assessing symptoms of CSB, whereas sexual interests -atypical and normophilic- were assessed objectively through penile plethysmography. The CSB index had small, non-significant correlation with greater sexual response to different sexual stimuli (rgeneral sexual responsiveness=.127 [95% CI: -.137, .384]). In terms of overall sexual interest, increased scores on the CSB index had small, non-significant correlation with a higher preference for younger sexual stimuli (r = -.098 [95% CI: -.499, .215]) and persuasive sex (r = .10 [95% CI: -.168, .316]). Finally, CSB had a moderate correlation with sexual response when presented with stimuli depicting "female toddler coercive" (r = .27 [95% CI: -.083, .544]). We conclude that our findings do not support the hypotheses that CSB is significantly related to an increased arousability across sexual stimuli. The study findings also suggest that CSB may be, to a small degree, predisposed to experience sexual attraction toward children. Given the preliminary nature of the study, these conclusions warrant further research. Alternative explanations for the study findings related to the particular components of CSB that may be related to typical and atypical sexual interests are also considered.

Exploring Self-efficacy for Condom Use in Spanish People: A Trend Analyses by Gender from 2004 to 2020.

Self-efficacy seems to be one of the most important resources for the different stages underlying condom use and STI prevention. For this reason, this study evaluates trends in self-efficacy by gender, from 2004 to 2008, 2013 and 2020 in Spain. Throughout these years, 6,698 people ranging from 17 to 40 years old, participated filling the Brief scale of condom use self-efficacy. According to our findings, despite the slight improvement in the recent years, self-efficacy still maintains a risky profile for safe sex, especially among the youngest people. Moreover, most of the traditional gender differences continue over the years with women reporting lower scores for condom purchase and men for putting them. However, these differences are not relevant in other dimensions such as using condoms despite drug consumption where women reveal worse results over the years. Therefore, our findings reaffirm the need of intensifying gendered preventive efforts aimed at Spanish people and, particularly, among the youngest.

RESUMEN: La autoeficacia parece ser uno de los recursos más importantes para las diferentes etapas que subyacen al uso del preservativo y la prevención de las ITS. Por ello, este estudio evalúa la tendencia de la autoeficacia por género, desde 2004 a 2008, 2013 y 2020 en España. A lo largo de estos años, 6.698 personas con edades comprendidas entre los 17 y los 40 años participaron cumplimentando la Escala Breve de autoeficacia en el uso del preservativo. Según nuestros hallazgos, a pesar de la ligera mejoría en los últimos años, la autoeficacia aún mantiene un perfil de riesgo para el sexo seguro, especialmente entre los más jóvenes. Además, la tradicional diferencia de género continúa a lo largo de los años: las mujeres informan puntuaciones más bajas en la compra de condones y los hombres en ponérselo. Sin embargo, estas diferencias no son relevantes en otras dimensiones como el uso del preservativo a pesar del consumo de drogas donde las mujeres muestran peores resultados a lo largo de los años. Por tanto, nuestros hallazgos reafirman la necesidad de intensificar los esfuerzos preventivos de género dirigidos a los españoles y, en particular, a los más jóvenes.

What Does Heterosexuality Mean? Same-Sex Attraction, Behaviors, and Discomfort Among Self-identified Heterosexual Young Adults from Spain.

Sexuality has been censored by Spanish culture, where legal progress in the form of new policies about sexual diversity rights has not been followed by lower levels of social discrimination. This has affected sexual development across the lifespan for both sexual minorities and heterosexual people who experience their sexuality outside of heteronormativity. However, the literature has regularly excluded the possible consequences of the experience of sexuality within prescriptive categories, particularly in heterosexual people. This study delves deeper into the same-sex experiences of heterosexual women and men and the discomfort they may feel toward such experiences in Spain. A total of 2900 young Spanish people who self-identified as heterosexual completed a questionnaire on sexual diversity and experiences related to sexual orientation. The mean age was 24.22 years (SD = 5.71), 71.1% were women, and 28.9% were men. More heterosexual women than heterosexual men reported having had same-sex attraction, fantasies, desires, and behavioral intentions. However, these men and women reported having similar levels of same-sex sexual intercourse. The discomfort level experienced was higher among heterosexual men and younger people, suggesting the possibility that traditional norms restrict behavioral expression of sexuality among these individuals. At least in the Spanish context, these gender differences should be taken into account to adjust all psychological and educational interventions in the future to improve inclusive sexual attitudes and the treatment of discomfort with sexual orientation. Following these results, research on sexual diversity should focus on young heterosexual people who have different same-sex experiences according to gender differences.

A Trend Analysis of Condom use in Spanish Young People over the Two Past Decades, 1999-2020.

HIV exposure is one of the greatest sexual risks in young people, and condom use is the best protective measure. Despite the preventive efforts, trend in condom use is still unclear. This study examines the trend of condom use by gender in Spanish young people, in different sexual practices (vaginal, oral and anal), relationships (regular and casual) and having sex after drugs consumption during the two past decades (from 1999 to 2020). For this, 14,472 people who ranged from 17 to 40 years old (63.5% women) filled the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire in each year. In general, low condom use remains stable and even gets worse regardless of the type of sexual practice, relationship and the substance consumption. Regarding gender, this trend is worse in women who have been less likely to report condom use than men have. Moreover, older people have reported a minor frequency of condom use than the youngest people have done, except for anal sex. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze why, despite preventive efforts, condom use seems to decrease over time.

RESUMEN: El VIH es uno de los mayores riesgos en la sexualidad de la juventud, y el uso del preservativo la mejor medida de protección. A pesar de los esfuerzos preventivos, la tendencia en su uso es indeterminada. Este estudio examina la evolución del uso del preservativo según género en jóvenes españoles, en diferentes prácticas sexuales (vaginal, oral y anal), relaciones (estable y esporádica) y al practicar sexo tras consumir drogas, durante las dos últimas décadas (de 1999 a 2020). Para ello, 14.472 personas entre 17 y 40 años (63,5% mujeres) cumplimentaron el Cuestionario de Prevención del Sida cada año. En general, el bajo uso del preservativo se mantiene estable e incluso empeora con independencia del tipo de práctica sexual, relación y consumo de sustancias. Según el género, las mujeres muestran peor tendencia, al informar menor uso que los hombres. Además, las personas más mayores informan menor frecuencia de uso que los más jóvenes, excepto para el sexo anal. Por tanto, es necesario analizar por qué, a pesar de los esfuerzos preventivos, el uso del preservativo parece disminuir con el tiempo.

Trends in HIV sexual prevention: Attitudinal beliefs and behavioral intention in Spanish young people over the past two decades (1999-2020).

Despite preventive efforts, HIV exposure is still a concern for public health. The current prevalence is related to unsafe sex, which is based on socio-cognitive variables. Therefore, information about these variables is required to verify whether the past preventive strategies have been effective and improve the future ones. However, there is not updated information to adjust future preventive interventions. For this reason, this study analyzes trends by gender in Spanish young people over the past two decades in perceived susceptibility to HIV, severity perceived to HIV, condom confidence and the intention of condom use, from 1999 to 2020. For this purpose, 11,665 Spanish young people (from 17 to 40 years old) completed the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire in each year. Following our results, in general, the socio-cognitive variables have revealed an unsatisfactory trend: a low perceived susceptibility to HIV and a behavioral intention that have remained stable or even declined slightly over the past years. Particularly, men are more likely to report a riskier level in socio-cognitive variables although, in the latest evaluations, women would decrease condom use intention largely than men. In general, regarding age, young adult would report better levels of condom confidence, but early youth would get higher results in perceived severity, as well as better scores in the latest evaluations of condom use intention. Considering these results, policies should make an effort in HIV prevention programs, and emphasize the attention to attitudinal beliefs and behavioral intention to improve their effectiveness.

Influence of beliefs about romantic love on the justification of abusive behaviors among early adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Romantic experiences during adolescence have an important influence on functioning later in life. Romantic love has been associated with the acceptance of abusive behaviors. This study examined the relationship between myths of romantic love and the perceived severity of different types of abusive behaviors, as well as the influence of gender. METHODS: The sample comprised 448 Spanish adolescents (M = 12.92 years old; SD = 0.85), of which 50.3% were male and 49.7% were female. Participants were evaluated in the school setting. The Perception of Abuse Scale and the Myths, Fallacies, and Misconceptions about Romantic Love Scale were administered. RESULTS: Statistically significant negative associations between the myths of romantic love and the perceived severity of abusive behaviors were found. Myths regarding possession, dedication, and exclusivity were associated with a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in adolescent males. Myths regarding the omnipotence of love were associated with a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in adolescent females. Believing in jealousy as a demonstration of love (myth of jealousy) and in the need to establish a steady union when you love someone (marriage myth) explained a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in regression models. However, being female and having these beliefs explained a higher perceived severity of abusive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The myths of romantic love are already present during early adolescence. These beliefs are implicated in the construction of gender inequality and difficulties in the identification of dating abuse behavior severity. A gendered perspective is necessary to understand this issue. Early intervention strategies should address the cognitive and emotional components of intimate relationships.

Sexual behavior and sexual health of transgender women and men before treatment: Similarities and differences.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on the sexual health of transgender individuals, as well as a paucity of data about overall sexual health indexes before treatment. AIMS: This study aims to analyze the main issues involved in transgender individuals' sexual behavior (with and without a partner), overall sexual health indexes, and potential predictors of sexual health, comparing trans men and trans women on all the variables assessed. METHODS: 260 trans people were recruited at a transgender health clinic in Spain. Participants completed the Sexual Behavior Questionnaire for transgender people before receiving any treatment. RESULTS: Overall results show that trans women have a more ego-dystonic and problematic experience of their sexuality. Regarding masturbation, there are no differences in its frequency between trans women and trans men, although there are differences in the reasons they do not masturbate. Regarding sexual behavior with a partner, trans women experience more difficulties than trans men, with significant differences in several areas (e.g., the percentage of transgender individuals who never allow their partners to touch their genitals). Regarding sexual health, we found differences between groups, with lower sexual desire, sexual arousal without orgasm, and overall sexual health in trans women. Likewise, different variables such as pain during sex, fantasies, and time with a steady partner seem to be associated with the different sexual health indexes. CONCLUSION: Our results show a clear difference between trans women and trans men in most of the sexual aspects assessed, revealing greater gender dysphoria in trans women. We would recommend taking these data into account, as well as variables that may be associated with different sexual health indexes, when designing interventions for transgender people.

The teenage love: Do Spanish early-middle adolescents believe in the romantic love? / El amor adolescente: ¿Creen los adolescentes españoles en el amor romántico?

Romantic beliefs are associated to attachment anxiety, acceptability of abusive relationships and justification of violent behavior. Adolescence is a crucial stage for the consolidation of identity. The aim of this study is to analyze the myths of romantic love and examine gender differences among 448 Spanish early-middle adolescents (M = 12.92; SD = 0.85) that were attending the first and second year of the Spanish secondary education. The Myths, Fallacies and Misconceptions about Romantic Love Scale by Luzón et al. (2011) was administered in the classrooms during tutoring hours and was supervised by a group of psychologists. Results showed that out of the total of 18 myths of romantic love in the evaluation, the average number that the adolescents said they believed in was 9.03 (SD = 3.13). The highest scores were obtained in factors named “Love implies possession and exclusivity” and “True love is predestined”. The better-half myth, the myth of jealousy and the idea of love between couples is the fundamental reason behind the existence were the most frequent beliefs. Statistically significant gender differences were found. Adolescent males reported that they believed in a higher number of myths of romantic love and obtained the highest percentages in most beliefs in myths. Findings show shows that biases and fallacies related to romantic love have already been formed in early adolescence and that appears differentially according to gender. These results can be useful in the planning and design of preventive programs. (AU)

Las creencias románticas están asociadas al apego ansioso, la aceptación de las relaciones abusivas y la justificación de la conducta violenta. La adolescencia es una etapa crucial para la consolidación de la identidad. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los mitos del amor romántico y examinar las diferencias de género en 448 adolescentes españoles tempranos-medios (M = 12,92; DT = 0,85) que cursaban primer y segundo año de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. Se administró la Escala de mitos,falacias y conceptos erróneos sobre el amor romántico de Luzón et al. (2011) en las aulas. Los resultados mostraron que, del total de 18 mitos de amor romántico evaluados, el número promedio en el que los adolescentes dijeron creer fue de 9,03 (DT = 3,13). Las puntuaciones más altas se obtuvieron enlos factores denominados “El amor implica posesión y exclusividad” y “El verdadero amor está predestinado”. El mito de la media naranja, el mito de los celos y la idea de que el amor entre parejas es la razón fundamental de la existencia fueron las creencias más frecuentes. Se encontraron diferencias degénero estadísticamente significativas. Los adolescentes varones informaron que creían en un mayor número de mitos de amor romántico y obtuvieron los porcentajes más altos en la mayoría de mitos. Los resultados muestran que los prejuicios y falacias relacionados con el amor romántico ya se han formado en la adolescencia temprana y eso aparece de manera diferencial según el género. Estos hallazgos pueden ser útiles en la planificación y diseño de programas preventivos. (AU)

"INSIDE" Project on Sexual Health in Spain: Sexual Life During the Lockdown Caused by COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a major hazard to public health worldwide. This is causing a significant impact on life and physical health, as well as on the psychological well-being of the general population. Since the emotional distress and the social restrictions caused by this epidemic, it must be expected that its impact will also extend to sexual health. The purpose of this study, the first including a large sample of the Spanish general population, was to analyze sexual behavior during the 99 days of confinement in Spain (INSIDE Project). METHOD: One thousand four hundred forty-eight Spanish people, between 18 and 60 years old, were evaluated through an online survey during April 2020. The variables analyzed were the physical and social environment during confinement, sexual desire, type of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual intercourse, online sexual activity, general sexual frequency, sexual fantasies, degree of self-control over sexual drive, sexual abuse, general impact of confinement on sexuality, and emotional mood. RESULTS: Confinement has affected the sexual life of half of the Spanish population (47.7%), especially women. Those who reported a worsening of their sexual life are almost three times more (37.9%) than those who reported an improvement (14.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Different factors have been significant predictors of the positive or negative evaluation about the impact of this confinement on sexual life, such as gender, couple life, privacy, stress level, and the perception of confinement as unbearable. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: These results have important implications for the public health and more especially sexual health of the Spanish population.

The phenomenon of Sexting among Spanish Teenagers: Prevalence, Attitudes, Motivations and Explanatory Variables / El fenómeno del sexting entre los adolescentes españoles: prevalencia, actitudes, motivaciones y variables explicativas

Sexting is a recent phenomenon in which people send and receive photos, videos and/or text messages of sexual nature via smartphones or similar devices. Similar to other developed countries, it is becoming an increasingly popular practice among teenagers in Spain. Provided it has appeared very recently, scarce research has focused on examining in-depth factors involved in its initiation and maintenance. Therefore, the two main aims of this study were to determine its prevalence and to analyse the explanatory variables of the sexting behaviours. The sample consisted of 784 Spanish adolescents (52% boys and 48% girls) between 12 and 18 years of age (M = 14.44; SD = 1.61). The results showed that 24.4% have practised sexting at some time, with an average of 2.32 people (SD = 2.70). The regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards sexting, level of impulsivity, age, being male and having a partner are variables that predict engagement in sexting. These results are very important for designing and implementing preventive strategies that emphasise the responsible use of ICTs and social networks

El sexting es un fenómeno que consiste en el envío y la recepción de fotos, videos y/o mensajes de texto de naturaleza sexual a través de smartphones. Como en todos los demás países desarrollados, se está convirtiendo en una práctica cada vez más popular entre los adolescentes de España. Al tratarse de un fenómeno muy reciente todavía no existen muchos trabajos que hayan estudiado con profundidad su entidad y sus factores implicados. Por tanto, los dos objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia y analizar las variables explicativas del inicio y del mantenimiento de las conductas de sexting. La muestra estuvo formada por 784 adolescentes españoles (52% chicos y 48% chicas) con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años (M = 14.44; DT = 1.61). Los resultados indican que el 24.4% ha practicado sexting en alguna ocasión, realizando esta conducta con una media de 2.32 personas (DT = 2.70). El análisis de regresión reveló que las actitudes positivas hacia el sexting, el nivel de impulsividad, la edad, ser hombre y el mantener una relación de pareja son variables que predicen la práctica del sexting. Estos resultados son muy importantes en la elaboración e implementación de estrategias preventivas que enfaticen el uso responsable de las TICS y las redes sociales

Frecuencia sexual de los adolescentes españoles durante el confinamiento por COVID-19 / Sexual frequency of Spanish adolescents during confinement by COVID-19

La situación de confinamiento debido a la COVID-19 ha supuesto un gran cambio en los estilos de vida de los jóvenes. Sin embargo, poco se conoce del impacto que el aislamiento ha tenido en la sexualidad de los adolescentes. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la frecuencia sexual de los adolescentes durante el confinamiento y sus posibles consecuencias, todo ello con una perspectiva de género. 134 adolescentes españoles, entre 16-20 años, respondieron a una encuesta on-line ad hoc sobre sexualidad, siendo el 59.7% chicas. Un 67.2% de los participantes se consideraba heterosexual, un 91.2% estaba confinado/a con sus padres, un 59.7% estaba soltero/a y un 40.3% tenía pareja estable. Durante el confinamiento, se ha observado un incremento de la frecuencia de masturbación y de las actividades sexuales online, pero estos cambios solo han resultado estadísticamente significativos en los chicos. Entre las causas de este incremento, encontramos razones como "por aburrimiento", "para relajarme", o "debido a un aumento de apetito sexual", siendo los chicos los que más lo justificaban con razones emocionales. Esta mayor frecuencia sexual les generaba mejor estado de ánimo y estar más relajados, aunque gran parte de los chicos refirieron que las actividades sexuales les resultaban menos satisfactorias. Cabría seguir estudiando las posibles consecuencias negativas que pueden surgir de estos cambios en la frecuencia sexual, y analizar el papel que podrían estar jugando las emociones. Todo ello con la intención de diseñar campañas de promoción de la salud sexual en tiempos de confinamiento

The confinement situation due to COVID-19 has brought a great change in the lifestyles of young people. However, little is known about the impact that isolation has had on adolescent sexuality. The objective of this work is to know the sexual frequency of adolescents during confinement and its possible consequences, including gender perspective. 134 Spanish adolescents, between 16-20 years old, responded to an ad hoc online survey on sexuality, being 59.7% girls. 67.2% of the participants considered themselves heterosexual, 91.2% were confined to their parents, 59.7% were single and 40.3% had a stable partner. During confinement, an increase in the frequency of masturbation and online sexual activities has been observed, but these changes have only been statistically significant in boys. Among the causes of this increase, we find reasons such as "due to boredom", "to relax", or "due to an increase in sexual appetite", with boys justifying it the most with emotional reasons. This higher sexual frequency generated a better mood and more relaxation, although many boys reported that sexual activities were less satisfactory. It would be necessary to continue studying the possible negative consequences that can arise from these changes in sexual frequency, and to analyze the role that emotions could be playing. All this to design campaigns to promote sexual health in times of confinement

Explanatory Psychological Factors of Inconsistently Condom Use among Spanish University Students: Gender Differences.

More than 50% of Spanish youth does not use of condoms correctly and consistently. University students are a particular population at high risk of the HIV infection, other STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The influence of psychological variables in using of condom is analyzed by gender and type of sexual relationship. A total of 256 females and 168 males were assessed (Mage= 20.62; SD = 2.16). A regression logistic analysis showed that sexual sensation seeking appears as an explanatory variable of inconsistently condom use in both females and males in vaginal intercourse, steady relationship intercourse and sex under the alcohol and other drugs effects (adjusted odds ratio between 1.095 and 1.124). Moreover, self-esteem appears as a risk factor and extraversion as a protective factor of use of condom in females. On the other hand, neuroticism reveals itself as a protective factor and fear of negative evaluation as a risk factor of use of condom in males. It is necessary to know the psychological mechanisms that underlie sexual risk behaviors for adapting interventions to individual and contextual characteristics.

Health promotion in young people: Identifying the predisposing factors of self-care health habits.

Unhealthy behaviors are strongly associated with chronic diseases, disabilities, or mortality. Identifying the predisposing factors that influence on self-care healthy habits will improve an early detection of high-risk groups. Four hundred and sixty-six Spanish young people aged 18-25 years were assessed. Global perceived health self-care was predicted by Value of health and Conscientiousness, both in females (R2 = 0.185; F = 29.661; p < 0.001) and males (R2 = 0.154; F = 17.849; p < 0.001). The results have shown gender differences in health self-care habits. Health promotion policies should include specific health consciousness-based strategies.

Explanatory psychological factors of inconsistently condom use among Spanish university students: gender differences

More than 50% of Spanish youth does not use of condoms correctly and consistently. University students are a particular population at high risk of the HIV infection, other STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The influence of psychological variables in using of condom is analyzed by gender and type of sexual relationship. A total of 256 females and 168 males were assessed (Mage= 20.62; SD = 2.16). A regression logistic analysis showed that sexual sensation seeking appears as an explanatory variable of inconsistently condom use in both females and males in vaginal intercourse, steady relationship intercourse and sex under the alcohol and other drugs effects (adjusted odds ratio between 1.095 and 1.124). Moreover, self-esteem appears as a risk factor and extraversion as a protective factor of use of condom in females. On the other hand, neuroticism reveals itself as a protective factor and fear of negative evaluation as a risk factor of use of condom in males. It is necessary to know the psychological mechanisms that underlie sexual risk behaviors for adapting interventions to individual and contextual characteristics

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The Role of Dispositional and Social Factors in Argentinian and Spanish Women's Sexuality.

This study examines the role of sociocultural and dispositional factors in the sexual expressions of young Argentinian and Spanish women. Three hundred young women self-evaluated their sexual practices, sexual orientation, and relationships. Results reveal differences in women's sexuality based on societal and dispositional variables. The latter seem to play a more important role in those sexual behaviors that are normative in Hispanic traditions, whereas gender dissimilarity is more relevant when these behaviors are socially censured. Therefore, women's sexuality in Hispanic traditions, such as in Argentina and Spain, seems to be more complex than past studies reported.

A Validation Study of the Spanish Version of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI): Paper-and-Pencil Versus Online Administration.

Hypersexuality is a problematic behavior characterized by the combination of an excessive sexual desire and the pathological inability to control it. This study presents the psychometric properties of the Spanish paper-and-pencil and online versions of the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI), one of the most popular scales to assess this issue. A total of 2,250 participants (1,070 men) completed a translated version of the HBI (1,450 in paper-and-pencil; 800 online). The exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors that explained 67.53% of total variance for the HBI paper-and-pencil version. This factor structure was confirmed in the HBI online version through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Factorial, structural, scalar and error variance-invariance according to gender was also confirmed through multigroup CFA. Reliability of the total score and subscales ranged between .89 and .96. Likewise, correlations with other related scales were positive and significant (r between .511 and .743). Temporal stability one year after the first application was .77 (paper-and-pencil format) and .68 (online version). These results support the reliability and validity of the HBI and justify its use in the assessment of hypersexuality in Spanish-speaking countries.

Why Do Young Hispanic Women Take Sexual Risks? Psychological and Cultural Factors for HIV Prevention.

Young Hispanic women have been particularly affected by HIV. For this reason, we analyzed the influence of cognitive factors, dispositional variables, and gender culture on the HIV risks of two groups of Hispanic women. Young Argentinian and Spanish women (N = 342) completed the AIDS Prevention Questionnaire, the Spanish version of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, and the Spanish version of the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale in order to evaluate knowledge of HIV transmission, HIV, and condom use; self-efficacy; safe-sex intention and safe sex; as well as Sexual Sensation Seeking and Sexual Compulsivity traits. Our findings support a different pattern of HIV risk based on gender inequality, although self-efficacy and sexual sensation seeking seem to have been the main important predictors of unsafe sex and HIV risk. Social and psychological factors should be considered to design HIV prevention strategies aimed at young Hispanic women.