Pessoas Transexuais e Travestis em uma unidade de referência da Secretaria de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro: Estratégia em saúde para facilitação do acesso no atendimento / Transsexuals and Transvestites in a reference unit of the Health Department of Rio de Janeiro: Health strategy to facilitate access to care

O objetivo geral deste estudo foi conhecer as narrativas de vida das pessoas transexuais e travestis assistidas no Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia Luiz Capriglione (IEDE), com ênfase no acesso à saúde para acompanhamento hormonal na unidade de referência estadual. Como método, foi utilizada a pesquisa qualitativa e descritiva, que consistiu em duas etapas: as entrevistas, de uma forma particular, que se deram através das narrativas de vida de Daniel Bertaux e a caracterização do perfil sociodemográfico das pessoas transexuais e travestis atendidas pelo Serviço Social no Ambulatório Multidisciplinar de Identidade de Gênero (AMIG). Foram entrevistadas 16 pessoas, dentre elas: 6 mulheres transexuais, 2 travestis e 8 homens transexuais, mediante a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Para a caracterização do perfil foram coletados os dados dos prontuários de 458 pessoas. Nos resultados e discussão, identificou-se a dificuldade no acesso associados à falta de qualificação dos profissionais de saúde para o acolhimento e regulação, a falta de um protocolo padronizado para regulação, a rotatividade dos profissionais da atenção primária de saúde, e a centralização do atendimento realizado pela unidade de referência.

COVID-19-Related Stressors, Sex Behaviors, and HIV Status Neutral Care Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Chicago, USA.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, including Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) and transgender women (BTW). We investigated associations of COVID-19 stressors and sex behaviors with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among BMSM and BTW. METHODS: As part of the Neighborhoods and Networks (N2) study, we conducted virtual interviews during peak COVID-19 infectivity in Chicago among BMSM and BTW (April-July 2020). Survey questions included multilevel COVID-19 stressors, sex behaviors, and current PrEP/ART use and access. Poisson regressions were used to examining relationships between COVID-19 stressors, sex behaviors, and PrEP/ART use/access. RESULTS: Among 222 participants, 31.8% of participants not living with HIV reported current PrEP use and 91.8% of participants living with HIV reported ART use during the pandemic. Most (83.3% and 78.2%, respectively) reported similar or easier PrEP and ART access during the pandemic. Physical stress reaction to COVID-19 [adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.1; confidence interval (CI): 1.3 to 3.5] and being in close proximity with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 (aPR = 1.7; CI: 1.1 to 2.8) were associated with current PrEP use. Intimate partner violence (aPR = 2.7; CI: 1.0 to 7.2) and losing health insurance (aPR = 3.5; CI: 1.1 to 10.7) were associated with harder ART access. Travel-related financial burden was associated with harder access in PrEP (aPR = 3.2; CI: 1.0 to 10.1) and ART (aPR = 6.2; CI: 1.6 to 24.3). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple COVID-19 stressors were found to interfere with PrEP and ART use and access among BMSM and BTW. Contextually relevant strategies (eg, promoting telehealth and decreasing transportation burden) to address COVID-19 stressors and their sequelae should be considered to minimize disruption in HIV biomedical interventions.

Comportamientos sexuales riesgosos y factores asociados entre estudiantes universitarios en Barranquilla, Colombia, 2019 / Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university students in Barranquilla, Colombia, 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN: Adolescentes y adultos jóvenes participan frecuentemente en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos (relaciones sexuales sin protección, sexo con parejas casuales, promiscuidad, iniciación sexual temprana, etc.), trayendo consigo embarazos no planeados, Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, suicidios, abortos, afectaciones académicas y laborales. El objetivo del estudio, fue identificar los comportamientos sexuales riesgosos y factores asociados en estudiantes de una universidad en Barranquilla, 2019. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de tipo descriptivo-correlacional de corte transversal, se utilizó la Encuesta de Riesgo Sexual, que evaluó comportamientos sexuales riesgosos en universitarios de Barranquilla, en los últimos seis meses, se generaron los coeficientes de correlación Chi cuadrado de Pearson (nivel de confianza 95%; p≤0.05) para medir la asociación entre los puntajes de riesgo sexual y factores sociodemográficos y académicos. RESULTADOS: El 63% de los participantes inició actividad sexual antes de los 18 años. 87% han participado una o más veces en comportamientos sexuales de riesgo: sexo vaginal sin condón (73%), fellatio sin condón (60.3%), número de parejas con quién tienen comportamientos sexuales (66.2%) y experiencias sexuales inesperadas (54.4%). Los hombres y estudiantes de Derecho tenían puntajes de riesgo sexual más altos que las mujeres y los estudiantes de Enfermería. CONCLUSIÓN: Los universitarios están en riesgo y participando en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos, que podrían afectar su salud y proyecto de vida. Los factores de mayor riesgo fueron; sexo temprano, género, edad >20 años, prácticas sexuales arriesgadas como el sexo vaginal, oral y anal sin protección y conductas sexuales impulsivas y no planificadas

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents and young adults are frequently involved in risky sexual behavior (unprotected sex, sex with casual partners, promiscuity, early sexual initiation, etc.) bringing with them, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, suicides, abortions, academic and labor affectations. The objective of the study was to identify risky sexual behaviors and associated factors in students at a university in Barranquilla, 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study descriptive-correlational cross-sectional, the sexual risk survey was used, which evaluated risky sexual behavior in university students of Barranquilla in the last six months, were generated correlation coefficients Chi-square Pearson (95% confidence level; p≤0.05) to measure the association between sexual risk scores and sociodemographic and academic factors. RESULTS: 63% of participants initiated sexual activity before the age of 18. The 87% have participated one or more times in risky sexual behaviors: vaginal sex without a condom (73%), fellatio without a condom (60.3%), number of partners with whom they have sexual behaviors (66.2%) and unexpected sexual experiences (54.4%). Men and law students had higher sexual risk scores than women and nursing students. CONCLUSION: The university students are at risk and participating in risky sexual behavior, which could affect their health and life Project. The major risk factors were; early sex, gender, age >20 years, risky sexual practices such as vaginal, oral, and anal unprotected sex and impulsive and unplanned sexual behaviors

Origens do(s) sexo(s) e a rainha dos problemas da biologia evolutiva / Origins of sex(es) and the queen of problems of evolutionary biology

A reprodução sexuada já foi considerada universal, e posteriormente, a forma mais perfeita de reprodução. Todavia, a partir de meados do século XIX, pesquisas no nível celular colocaram em xeque a ideia de que tipos de reprodução assexuadas fossem primitivos ou inferiores. Ao longo do século XX, e adentrando no XXI, hipóteses foram levantadas para explicar as vantagens da reprodução sexuada sobre a assexuada assim como o que permitiria a reprodução sexuada se manter quando seria mais vantajoso se reproduzir de forma assexuada. A mais importante e conhecida é a hipótese da Rainha Vermelha. Paralelamente, vários trabalhos procuraram entrever as pressões ecológicas que permitiram e favoreceram o aparecimento da reprodução sexuada em um cenário situado há cerca de dois bilhões de anos. O objetivo desse trabalho é revisar respostas históricas que marcaram o estudo da origem, da evolução e da manutenção da reprodução sexuada, identificando algumas das principais questões que a comunidade científica elaborou nos últimos duzentos anos.

Sexual reproduction has already been considered universal, and subsequently, the most perfect form of reproduction. However, since the mid-nineteenth century, research at the cellular level has questioned the idea that asexual reproduction types are primitive or inferior. During the twentieth century, and entering the XXI, hypotheses were raised to explain the advantages of sexual reproduction over the asexual as well as what would allow sexual reproduction to be maintained when it would be more advantageous to reproduce asexually. The most important and known is the Red Queen hypothesis. At the same time, several studies have sought to understand the ecological pressures that allowed and favored the appearance of sexual reproduction in a scenario that was around two billion years ago. The aim of this work is to review historical responses that marked the study of the origin, evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction, identifying some of the main questions that the scientific community has elaborated over the last two hundred years.

Sexual preferences and associated disorders: toward an extended model for description. / Preferencje seksualne i zwiazane z nimi zaburzenia: w strone rozszerzonego modelu opisu.

The notion of human sexual preferences relates to relatively stable patterns of sexual response and to directing sexual behaviors toward specific arousing stimuli, which are also important for sexual satisfaction. The preferences may pertain to the properties of the object or the sexual activity itself. Diagnosing sexual preferences, in its basic form, is conducted with the use of disorder criteria defined in diagnostic classifications (ICD-10, DSM-5). However, while employing these criteria enables the categorization of the patient's sexual preferences as normal or pathological, they seem clearly insufficient for describing complex sexual interest patterns in a comprehensive manner. The goal of this article is to present a detailed dimensional model for describing sexual preferences. This proposal assumes the description of two aspects of preference: a contentual aspect, defining the individual hierarchy of sexually attractive and aversive stimuli, and a formal aspect. The latter involves four dimensions: the diversity of stimuli falling within the pattern of the patient's sexual interest, preference changeability in time, the coherence between individual components of responding to sexual stimuli, and insight into one's own preferences. The proposed model supplements the basic description of sexual preferences conducted on the basis of diagnostic criteria. The model can be a tool useful for diagnostic practice, particularly in precise characterization of various difficulties experienced by patients in relation to the properties of their sexual interests. It can also inspire new research on features of human sexual response patterns which have been neglected in previous analyses.

Towards a taxonomy of sexuality following traumatic brain injury: A pilot exploratory study using cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Clinicians need to understand the heterogeneity of sexual problems following traumatic brain injury (TBI) for their adequate identification and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To systematically identify groups of individuals with TBI showing similar patterns of sexual functioning. METHODS: Forty-two individuals with TBI with a mean age of 37.9 years (SD = 9.7) and an average of 3.3 years post-injury (SD = 4.3). We included four primary measures in the cluster analysis (sexual quality of life questionnaire, sexual desire inventory, generalized anxiety disorder scale, and the patient health questionnaire for depression) and two secondary measures for cluster validation (post-concussion symptom scale and dysexecutive questionnaire). RESULTS: A hierarchical cluster analysis using the Ward method revealed the existence of two groups of individuals with TBI: a) with sexual problems who were older, showed lower levels of sexual quality of life and sexual desire, with significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, and b) without sexual problems who were younger, showed high levels of sexual quality of life and sexual desire, as well as low complaints of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians must be more proactive in assessing sexual concerns, mostly when emotional and cognitive difficulties are present in older individuals with TBI, regardless of gender, chronicity and injury severity.

Factores de riesgo relacionados con las infecciones de transmisión sexual / Sexuality risk factors among people with suspect of sexuality transmitted disease

Fundamento: Conocer los factores determinantes en Infecciones de Transmisión sexual (ITS) es necesario para evaluar y diseñar medidas efectivas para su prevención y tratamiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los factores de riesgo relacionados con la sexualidad de sujetos atendidos en un centro de control de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual y analizar si hubo diferencias en función del sexo. Método: Estudio transversal utilizando como fuente de información 496 historias clínicas correspondientes al periodo 2010-2014, de sujetos que acudieron al Centro de Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual y Orientación Sexual de la provincia de Granada por sospecha de ITS. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos y relacionados con pautas sexuales. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y análisis bivariante mediante comparación de proporciones con test de la chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El 56% de los sujetos eran hombres y el 44% mujeres. La edad media fue de 29,01 años (DT=9,07). El 85,9% estaban solteros. El 54,2% presentaba un nivel de estudios superior. Las infecciones más prevalentes fueron el virus del papiloma humano (18,8%), Molluscum contagioso (5,6%) y candidiasis (3,8%). Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por sexo con la variable conducta sexual, hallando 89 hombres homosexuales y 4 mujeres, así como 22 hombres bisexuales frente a 7 mujeres(p<0,001).También se hallaron diferencias entre sexo y vida sexual, encontrando mayor prevalencia de hombres con entre 10-20 parejas (n=23) y más de 20 parejas (n=20) que mujeres (n=10, n= 4, respectivamente) (p<0,001). Conclusiones: El perfil es el de una persona joven, soltera, con estudios superiores. La infección más prevalente es el virus del papiloma humano. Los hombres siguen constituyendo la población más vulnerable para contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual debido a sus prácticas sexuales (AU)

Background: Describing determinants factors in Sexually Transmitted Diseases is necessary to evaluate and design effective measures for prevention and treatment. The aim of this research was to determine the sexual risk factors of people who are treated at Sexually Transmitted Diseases Centre and to analyze differences based on gender. Method: Cross-sectional study on 496 clinical reports, period of time 2010 to 2014, of people who come to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation Centre of Granada, for suspected of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sociodemographic, clinical and sexual patterns data were collected. Calculation of descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to compare proportions were performed Results: 56% men and 44% women. The mean age was 29,01 years (SD=9,07). Most of the sample were single (85,9%). 54,2% had a higher education level. The most prevalent infections were the Human Papillomavirus (18,8%), followed Molluscum contagiosum (5,6%) and Candidiasis (3,8%). Significant differences were found by sex with sexual behavior, there are more gay men (n=89) and bisexual (n=22) than women (n=4, n=7, respectively) (p<0,001); differences between sex and sexual life were also found, finding higher prevalence of men with 10-20 couples (n=23) and more than 20 couples (n=20) than women (n=10, n=4, respectively) (p<0,001). Conclusions: The user profile is a young, single, with higher education. The most prevalent infection is the Human Papillomavirus. Men are a vulnerable population for contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of their sexual practices (AU)

The problem of sexual imbalance and techniques of the self in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

This article examines the problematization of sexual appetite and its imbalances in the development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The dominant strands of historiographies of sexuality have focused on historicizing sexual object choice and understanding the emergence of sexual identities. This article emphasizes the need to contextualize these histories within a broader frame of historical interest in the problematization of sexual appetite. The first part highlights how sexual object choice, as a paradigm of sexual dysfunctions, progressively receded from medical interest in the twentieth century as the clinical gaze turned to the problem of sexual appetite and its imbalances. The second part uses the example of the newly introduced Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder in the DSM-5 to explore how the Manual functions as a technique for taking care of the self. I argue that the design of the Manual and associated inventories and questionnaires paved the way for their interpretation and application as techniques for self-examination.

Quality of Life in Female Epispadias.

Introduction and Aim Female epispadias is a rare congenital anomaly associated with significant urinary incontinence. This study aims to evaluate the results of its treatment in terms of continence, sexuality, and impact of incontinence on quality of life. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed nine patients (5-39 years) treated of female epispadias in our hospital during the period 1976-2013. Urinary continence (ICIQ-SF), sexuality, impact of incontinence on quality of life (Potenziani-14-CI-IO-2000-QOL), and overall quality of life (SF-36) were evaluated. Results All nine women were treated by bladder neck reconstruction (Young-Dees-Leadbetter) and genitoplasty; four received 2.5 (R = 1-5) endoscopic bladder neck injections; one required enterocystoplasty, urinary diversion, and bladder neck closure because of persistent incontinence; five performed pelvic floor rehabilitation; and two took anticholinergics. Three achieved continence; five had mild urinary incontinence; and 1 had moderate urinary incontinence and was awaiting an endoscopic injection. Of the seven who were older than 18 years, five answered the questionnaires of quality of life and sexuality. All had a general quality of life (SF-36) that does not differ from the normal population and had a slight impact (7 [0-15] points) of incontinence on quality of life (Potenziani-14-CI-IO-QOL-2000). Four had a normal sex life, and the fifth had lack of self-confidence due to her incontinence. Conclusion Patients with female epispadias have good long-term results regarding quality of life and sexuality, despite having some degree of urinary incontinence.

Revisión narrativa de la asexualidad en la especie humana como una orientación sexual / No disponible

El objetivo del presente artículo es describir el estado actual de conocimientos sobre la asexualidad como una orientación sexual. En particular, se analizan las siguientes cuestiones: la comunidad virtual asexual; las definiciones y las tasas de prevalencia de la asexualidad; la masturbación, las fantasías sexuales y las relaciones de pareja en individuos asexuales; la relación de la asexualidad con algunos trastornos mentales; la discriminación a individuos asexuales. Se concluye que la asexualidad puede definirse como un meta-constructo que engloba distintas categorías, entre ellas la falta de atracción sexual y la auto identificación. Su tasa de prevalencia varía según la definición utilizada. Los individuos asexuales presentan un cierto nivel de deseo sexual y de comportamientos sexuales. La asexualidad no es considerada una variante del trastorno de deseo sexual hipoactivo, ni tampoco un trastorno en sí, aunque algunos estudios la asocian a un mayor porcentaje de trastornos mentales. Sin embargo, estos trastornos son causados por el estigma social y la discriminación que sufren los individuos asexuales. La asexualidad pone en cuestión la forma en la que se entiende la sexualidad en la actualidad. Se sugieren algunas líneas de investigación

The purpose of this article is to describe the current state of knowledge about asexuality as a sexual orientation. In particular, the following issues are analyzed: the asexual virtual community; definitions and prevalence rates of asexuality; masturbation, sexual fantasies and partner relationships in asexual individuals; asexuality`s relationship with some mental disorders; discrimination to asexual individuals. It is concluded that asexuality can be defined as meta-construct that encompasses different categories, lack of sexual attraction and self-identification among them. Its prevalence rate varies depending on the definition used. Asexual individuals have a certain level of sexual desire, as well as sexual behaviors. Asexuality is not considered a variant of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, nor a disorder itself, although some studies associate it with a higher percentage of mental disorders. However, this relationship is explained by the social stigma and discrimination against asexual individuals. Asexuality questions the way in which sexuality is understood nowadays. Some lines of research are suggested

Adaptação portuguesa da Escala de Aborrecimento Sexual / Portuguese adaptation of the Sexual Boredom Scale

Introdução. A noção de aborrecimento sexual constitui um constructo potencialmente útil e interessante a explorar no campo da sexualidade humana. Objetivo. A presente investigação teve como objetivo proceder à validação da versão portuguesa da Escala de Aborrecimento Sexual (SBS), instrumento que avalia o aborrecimento sexual em homens e mulheres. Material e métodos. Recorreu‐se a um total de 298 participantes de ambos os sexos, os quais preencheram o questionário com a tradução para português da SBS. Resultados. Foram demonstradas as principais propriedades psicométricas da validação da SBS. Discussão. A estrutura da versão portuguesa da SBS revelou ser unidimensional e foram eliminados 3 itens devido a baixas saturações. Obtiveram‐se valores bons a nível de consistência interna, de validade convergente, e de validade concorrente. Conclusões. As boas propriedades psicométricas encontradas justificam a recomendação de utilização da adaptação da SBS para a população portuguesa (AU)

Introduction. The notion of sexual boredom is a potentially useful and interesting construct in the field of human sexuality. Objective. The aim of the present study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Sexual Boredom Scale (SBS), a scale that assesses sexual boredom among men and women. Material and methods. A total of 298 participants completed the Portuguese version of the SBS. Results. The main psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the SBS were assessed. Discussion. The Portuguese version of the SBS revealed a unidimensional factor structure and three items were eliminated due to low loadings. Good values were obtained in terms of internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity and concurrent validity. Conclusions. The use of the Portuguese adaptation of the SBS is justified since it has sound psychometric properties (AU)

Between DSM and ICD: Paraphilias and the Transformation of Sexual Norms.

The simultaneous revision of the two major international classifications of disease, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases, serves as an opportunity to observe the dynamic processes through which social norms of sexuality are constructed and are subject to change in relation to social, political, and historical context. This article argues that the classifications of sexual disorders, which define pathological aspects of "sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors" are representations of contemporary sexual norms, gender identifications, and gender relations. It aims to demonstrate how changes in the medical treatment of sexual perversions/paraphilias passed, over the course of the 20th century, from a model of pathologization (and sometimes criminalization) of non-reproductive sexual behaviors to a model that reflects and privileges sexual well-being and responsibility, and pathologizes the absence or the limitation of consent in sexual relations.

Hebephilia: A Postmortem Dissection.

In 2008, the concept of hebephilia, which denotes an erotic preference for "pubescent children," was suggested by Blanchard and his team for inclusion in the DSM-5 (Blanchard et al., 2009). Four years later, the APA's Board of Trustees opted for the status quo and rejected that proposal. This essay sheds light on the reason for this rejection. I consider three important questions related to hebephilia: Does hebephilia exist? Is it a disease? And what would have been the social consequences of including it in the DSM? I argue that if Blanchard failed to convince others that hebephilia should be included in the DSM-5, it is not because he focused too much on the first question and was unable to offer a convincing answer to the second one, but because he made the mistake of dismissing the third one as extraneous. The DSM is not intended to be a pure research manual, and a category like hebephilia cannot be evaluated without taking into account its potential forensic impact. In part or in whole, the decision to include a new diagnostic category in the DSM is, and always should be, a political decision.

Freedom, invisibility, and community: a qualitative study of self-identification with asexuality.

A significant body of research is now emerging on the subjective meaning of asexuality. This study explored how self-identification as asexual is managed, both as a threat to the self-concept and a source of personal meaning. A total of 66 self-identified asexuals were recruited from an asexuality internet community and responded to open-ended questions on an online survey. Of these, 31 participants identified as female, 15 as male, 18 gave a different label such as genderqueer or androgynous, and two did not provide information on gender. A thematic analysis of the transcripts resulted in three themes. Socially, asexuality attracted denial and resistance due to incompatibility with heteronormative societal expectations. Despite the threat to self-integrity arising from asexuality being socially rejected, it was typically assimilated as a valued and meaningful orientation on an intra-personal level, aided by information and support from the online community. A second level of threat to self arose whereby other self-identifications, especially gender, had to be reconciled with a non-sexual persona. The accommodation made to other elements of the self was reflected in complex sub-identities. The findings were interpreted using identity process theory to understand how threats arising from self-identifying as asexual are managed. Although asexuality emerges as an orientation to sexuality that can be reconciled with the self, its invisibility or outright rejection in society constitute an on-going challenge.

Repetición y creación en el proceso analítico. Introducción al tema monográfico / No disponible

No disponible

El psicoanálisis en tiempos de la tecnocultura: algunas reflexiones sobre el destino del cuerpo en el espacio virtual / Psychoanalysis in times of technoculture: some reflections on the fate of the body in virtual space

La autora constata la creciente presencia en la vida contemporánea de la tecnocultura y el ciberespacio. Partiendo de la ya polémica contraposición freudiana entre la realidad fáctica y la realidad psíquica (con elementos virtuales por definición), se pregunta por la influencia psíquica de los mundos virtuales que ofrecen internet y el ciberespacio. Se adentra en la complejidad de algunos de ellos, como Second Life o diferentes programas de investigación en que el protagonista puede habitar diferentes cuerpos o avatares en el mundo virtual. Presenta la experiencia de un proceso analítico con un paciente que motu proprio hace uso primero de vídeos y chats que va llevando como material a su analista, para más adelante pasar a experiencias virtuales con contacto visual con otros, y finalmente a contactos en la realidad fáctica. Analiza la trascendencia para el paciente de estos intercambios progresivos para asumir y desarrollar aspectos de su imagen corporal e identidad sexual. La autora propone el mundo del ciberespacio como un espacio potencial para la experimentación y progresiva elaboración psíquica y que podría ser considerado en los procesos psicoanalíticos como material de utilidad para el crecimiento y la maduración psíquica (AU)

The author notes the increasing presence of techno-culture an cyberspace in contemporary life. Starting from the already controversial Freudian opposition between factual reality and psychic reality (with virtual elements by definition), she questions the psychic influence of the virtual worlds offered by the internet and cyberspace. She explores the complexity of some of these, such as Second Life and various other programs for experimentation in which the protagonist may inhabit different bodies or avatars in the virtual world. She presents the experience of an analytic process with a patient who, of his own accord, first makes use of videos and chat rooms, which he brings to his analyst as material, to later move on to virtual experiences with visual contact with others, and finally to contact in factual reality. She analyzes the significance for the patient of these progressive exchanges in coming to terms with and developing aspects of his body image and sexual identity. The author puts forward the world of cyberspace as a potential space for experimentation and progressive psychic elaboration and suggests that it might be considered in psychoanalytic processes as useful material for psychic growth and maturation (AU)

Matters of sex and gender in F. J. Gall's Organology: a primary approach.

The originator of phrenology, F. J. Gall (1758-1828), saw himself as a natural scientist and physiologist. His approach consisted of brain anatomy but also of palpating skulls and inferring mental faculties. Unlike some of the philosophical principles underlying Gall's work, his conception of sex/gender has not yet been examined in detail. In this article, I will focus on Gall's treatment of men and women, his idea of sex differences, and how far an assumed existence of dichotomous sexes influenced his work. In examining his primary writings, I will argue that Gall held some contradictory views concerning the origin and manifestation of sex/gender characteristics, which were caused by the collision of his naturalistic ideas and internalized gender stereotypes. I will conclude that Gall did not aim at deducing or legitimizing sex/gender relations scientifically, but that he tried to express metaphysical reasons for a given social order in terms of functional brain mechanisms.