Sexuality and self-concept of morbidly obese women who are sexually attracted to men after bariatric surgery: a phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Morbid Obesity (MO) is a public health problem that affects a person's physical, psychological and sexual well-being. Women with MO are affected by their body image and self-concept, and obesity stigma may affect women in social and sexual relationships. OBJECTIVE: To describe and understand the experiences of morbidly obese heterosexual women (who are sexually attracted to men) in relation to their body image and sexuality after bariatric surgery. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative study using Merleau-Ponty's hermeneutic phenomenology as a philosophical framework. Data collection took place between 2020 and 2021 in a southern Spanish province. A total of 22 in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: (1) "Escaping from a cruel environment": weight loss to increase self-esteem; with the sub-themes: 'I love myself now', and 'Body image and social relationships; a vicious circle; (2) "Now, I am truly me": accepting my body to reclaim my sexuality, with the sub-themes: 'The body as the focal point of sexuality', and 'When regaining your sex drive reignites your sex life and relationship'. CONCLUSION: Weight loss and body acceptance radically change morbidly obese women's sex lives after bariatric surgery. They rediscover their bodies, have increased self-esteem, and see improvements in their social relationships and sexuality. These women feel seen, loved and desired, and now value their body image and femininity. As they go through continuous improvements following bariatric surgery, they gradually regain self-esteem, acceptance of their bodies and control over their sex life. Even though the women's partners benefit from these improvements, they seem to be afraid of being left.

Obesity is a problem that affects women's physical, psychological and sexual well-being, as well as their social relationships. It is important to explore and understand the experiences of heterosexual women regarding their body and sexuality. After other treatments, women undergo surgery to reduce their obesity. After bariatric surgery women feel happier about themselves, experience less stigma and progressively recover their social and sex lives.

Women´s experiences of menopause: A qualitative study among women in Soweto, South Africa.

Women today are experiencing menopause for decades more than in previous generations. This 'change of life' is defined by an entire stage of physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that accompany menstrual irregularity and the cessation of fertility, although limited medical research has focused on it. Yet, the inevitability of menopause is universal for all human females around 50 years old. In this article, we conducted twenty-five 20-60 min semi-structured qualitative interviews. Most women marked menopause by fertility cessation and social transition to old age, pushing back against a medical framework of menopause that emphasises hormonal deficiency and becoming disordered. In contrast, women frame menopause as a natural process that contributes to a critical social role transition, which they perceive as deeply private in part because it is associated with a reduction in femininity, sexuality, and power. On the other hand, menopause was also described as a liberating process through which women no longer needed to purchase pads or manage blood loss. Recognising how women may perceive menopause not as a deficit or disorder but as a social role transition that has both costs and benefits is useful for medical practitioners when discussing clinical options.

Communication and sexual function and frequency in breast cancer patients 2 years after diagnosis: results from the VICAN 2 study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer treatments may have impacts on several aspects of sexual health, including psychological, psychosexual, physiological, physical, and relational. AIM: In this study we sought to assess sexual function and sexual frequency in breast cancer patients 2 years after diagnosis. METHODS: We selected all breast cancer participants from the the French national VIe après le CANcer 2 (VICAN 2) longitudinal study. Data sources included patient and medical questionnaires, along with medico-administrative databases. OUTCOMES: Outcomes assessed were the dimensions of sexual function and frequency from the Relationship and Sexuality Scale and communication about sexuality with healthcare providers. RESULTS: Out of 1350 participating women, 60.2% experienced a decrease in sexual desire, 61.4% reported a lower frequency of intercourse, and 49.5% faced decreased ability to orgasm. In contrast, 64.8% had engaged in sexual intercourse in the previous 2 weeks, 89.5% were "Somewhat" to "Very much" satisfied with the frequency of intimate touching and kisses with their partner, and 81.6% expressed satisfaction with their intercourse frequency. However, a mere 15% of women discussed sexuality with the healthcare providers. Independent factors associated with increased communication about sexuality included age younger than 50 years (OR = 1.90 95% CI [1.28-2.82], P = .001), being in a partner relationship (OR = 2.53 95% CI [1.28-2.82], P = .003), monthly income above 1,500 euros (OR = 1.73 95% CI [1.15-2.60], P = .009), and absence of diabetes (OR = 6.11 95% CI [1.39-26.93], P = .017). CLINICAL TRANSLATION: The study findings underscore the need for continuing education in oncosexology and dedicated sexual health interventions that should involve a holistic approach that takes into consideration age, treatments, relationship status, and whether the patient has diabetes. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Strengths of the study are the sample size, the national representativeness, and data reliability. However, the cross-sectional design could introduce potential recall, recency, or social desirability biases. Also, social determinants influencing sexual health, such as ethnicity or geographic locations, have not been considered in the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that sexual disorders persist 2 years after a breast cancer diagnosis, with a noticeable communication gap regarding sexuality between patients and medical teams. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored sexual health interventions, particularly designed for women who are single, older aged, and diabetes patients.

Mental ill-health and substance use among sexuality diverse adolescents: The critical role of school climate and teacher self-efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Mental ill-health, substance use and their co-occurrence among sexuality diverse young people during earlier adolescence is relatively understudied. The preventive utility of positive school climate for sexuality diverse adolescents' mental health is also unclear, as well as the role of teachers in conferring this benefit. METHOD: Using Wave 8 'B Cohort' data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian children (N = 3127, Mage = 14.3), prevalence ratios and odds ratios were used to assess prevalence and disparities in mental ill-health and substance use, and multinomial logistic regression for co-occurring outcomes, among sexuality diverse adolescents relative to heterosexual peers. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between school climate and teacher self-efficacy with sexuality diverse adolescents' mental health. RESULTS: Mental ill-health prevalence ranged from 22% (suicidal thoughts/behaviour) to 46% (probable depressive disorders) and substance use between 66% (cigarette use) and 97% (alcohol use). Sexuality diverse participants were significantly more likely to report self-harm and high levels of emotional symptoms in co-occurrence with cigarette, alcohol and/or cannabis use. For each 1-point increase in school climate scores as measured by the Psychological Sense of School Membership scale, there was 10% reduction in sexuality diverse adolescents reporting high levels of emotional symptoms, probable depressive disorder, self-harm thoughts/behaviour and suicidal thoughts/behaviour. For each 1-point increase in lower perceived (worse) teacher self-efficacy scores as measured by four bespoke teacher self-efficacy items, odds of sexuality diverse adolescent-reported suicidal thoughts/behaviour increased by 80%. DISCUSSION: Mental ill-health, substance use and especially their co-occurrence, are highly prevalent and pose significant and inequitable health and well-being risks. Schools represent a potential site for focusing future prevention efforts and educating and training teachers on sexuality diversity is a promising pathway towards optimising these.

The LGBTQ+ People-Animal Bond: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Companion Animals on LGBTQ+ People.

LGBTQ+ people tend to experience prejudice, stigma, and discrimination, which increases their risk of developing mental health difficulties. Support networks, including companion animals, can be used to cope with these challenges. We performed a systematic review of studies related to the effects of human-animal interactions on the LGBTQ+ population. The review included 18 empirical studies; the findings showed that participants tended to view companion animals as family members, as well as providers of love, acceptance, and social support. Thus, companion animals could alleviate stress and increase resilience. However, certain costs were also cited and, under some circumstances, poorer health was observed. The results are discussed considering three unique aspects of the "LGBTQ+ people-animal bond": (1) it promotes self-acceptance, (2) provides a sense of protection against sexuality-based stigma and social acts of aggression based on sex or gender, and (3) exposes animal guardians requesting animal care services to potential discrimination. By characterizing the LGBTQ+ people-animal bond, more effective responses to meet their needs and promote inclusion may be achieved.

Approaches for improving sexuality and sexual health care in mental health settings: A qualitative study exploring clinicians' own perspectives.

There is an acknowledged professional practice gap regarding sexuality and sexual health related needs within mental health settings in Australia and internationally. Yet little is known about how clinicians can be best supported or enabled to improve sexuality-related practice, from their own perspective. This is important, given the sensitive and complex nature of sexuality and sexual health within the context of mental distress and service provision. This article reports a follow-up study, where mental health clinicians who participated in an initial study were invited to reflect on and discuss the (finalized) results and recommendations generated. The aim was to generate insights into the tools, strategies, and approaches participants felt would best equip and support clinicians to better incorporate sexuality and sexual health into their work. Six clinicians from three disciplines (mental health nursing, psychology, and psychiatry) participated in in-depth interviews to reflect on a plain language summary of the initial study. Three interconnected themes were generated via reflexive thematic analysis: (1) access to knowledge and information; (2) support from peers, senior colleagues, and workplaces; and (3) enacting a focus on sexuality-related care. These findings provide valuable insights into how clinicians may want to be supported in relation to (improving) their sexuality-related practice. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of a multifaceted approach to improving sexuality-related care in mental health and other health settings. This knowledge will contribute to directing future research and development of interventions, tools, strategies, or other approaches to this end.

Grieving multiple losses: Experiences of intimacy and sexuality of people living with inflammatory bowel disease. A phenomenological study.

AIM: To explore patient experiences of intimacy and sexuality in those living with inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN: An interpretative phenomenological study guided by van Manen's framework. Thematic analysis was conducted through interpretation and reflection on four existential domains: body, relationships, time and space. METHODS: Data were collected during 2019-2021 from 43 participants via face-to-face or telephone interviews, as well as anonymous collection of narratives submitted via Google Forms. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: Sexuality as lived incompleteness was the overarching theme representing the essence of the experiences of intimacy and sexuality. This theme covered the four main themes: Otherness of the body, Interrupted connectedness, Missing out on life fullness and Fragmented openness and each corresponded to an existential domain. Intimacy and sexuality are negatively affected by inflammatory bowel disease, with impact on quality of life. Patients experienced grieving multiple losses, from body image and control, to choice of partners and future opportunities. The four domains were difficult to separate and a close inter-relationship between each domain was acknowledged. CONCLUSIONS: A model was developed to draw new theoretical insights to understanding the relationship between sexual well-being and psycho-emotional distress similar to grief. IMPACT: First qualitative study to explore intimacy and sexuality experiences of those living with inflammatory bowel disease. Illness impact on sexuality has negative psycho-emotional implications as a result of losing the old self and capacity to have the desired relationships/sex life. A theoretical model was developed in an attempt to illustrate the close relationship of intimacy, sexuality and psycho-emotional well-being. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients were involved in the study design.

Homossexualidade, família e religião: uma análise psicossocial de orações para Bobby / Homosexualidad, familia y religión: un análisis psicosocial de oraciones por Bobby / Homosexuality, family and religion: a psychosocial analysis of prayers for Bobby

RESUMO Discute-se a relação entre homossexualidade, religião e família, a partir da Psicologia Sócio-histórica. Busca-se investigar, por meio de uma análise fílmica, os sentidos e significados apresentados pela família, em relação à homossexualidade. Para tanto, utiliza-se a produção filmográfica Orações para Bobby, como um documento cultural, datado historicamente, que permite evidenciar as formas de vivências psicossociais. Nesta proposição, metodologicamente são adotados procedimentos de identificação, recorte, descrição e interpretação de cenas emblemáticas. Desse modo, realizaram-se a identificação, o recorte e a localização temporal, a descrição detalhada de textos das cenas com seus aspectos visuais e auditivos e construíram-se três categorias de análise das 16 cenas emblemáticas selecionadas: significados de religião, homossexualidade e família; significado de homossexualidade e suicídio; e impactos intergeracionais do signo da homossexualidade. Os resultados indicam que a relação entre a homossexualidade assumida, dogmas religiosos e família tradicional podem desencadear atos suicidas com motivação volitiva e consciente; as acepções de signo, sentidos, significado, mediação e internalização contribuíram para compreender o impacto que os conceitos da homossexualidade, socialmente construídos, incidem na vivência da sexualidade de jovens homossexuais e seus relacionamentos afetivos no âmbito social e familiar. O significado da homossexualidade apresenta-se de forma pejorativa, com força de materialidade histórica e de manutenção hegemônica de ideias, por meio de grupos conservadores, que encontram na família um lugar afetuoso e subjetivo, de reprodução fértil, ao passo que coletivos identitários, como a comunidade LGBTQIA+, buscam espaços para o debate político com avanços e rupturas dessas noções, historicamente construídas, no processo de significação da sexualidade.

RESUMEN. Se discute la relación entre la homosexualidad, religión y familia, establecido em la psicologia sociohistórica. Busca indagar, a través de un análisis fílmico, los sentidos y significados presentados por la familia, en relación a la homosexualidad. Para esto, se usa la producción cinematográfica, Oraciones por Bobby como documento histórico y cultural que permite ressaltar las formas de las experiencias psicosociales. En esta proposición se adoptan metodologicamente procedimientos de identificación, recorte, descripción e interpretación de escenas emblemáticas. De este modo, se cosntruyeron tres categorías de análisis de las 16 escenas emblemáticas seleccionadas: significados de religión, homosexualidad y familia; significado de homosexualidad y suicido y los impactos intereracionales de los signos de la homosexualidad. Los resultados indican que larelación entre la homosexualidad asumida, los dogmas religiosos y la familia tradicional puede desencadenar actos suicidas com motivación volitiva y consciente; los significados del signo, los sentidos, el significado, la mediación y la internalización contribuyeron a la comprensióndel impacto que los conceptos de homosexualidad, construidos socialmente, tienen en la experiencia de la sexualidad de los jóvenes homosexuales y sus relaciones afectivas en la esfera social y familiar. Finalmente, se considera que la producción cinematográfica anima las discusiones sobre temas y fenómenos complejos, conorígenes históricas y representaciones persistentes, en el cualmoviliza nuevas formas de pensar y construir lo social; el significado de la homosexualidad se presenta de manera peyorativa , com lafuerza de la materialidade histórica y el mantenimiento hegemónico de las ideas, a través de grupos conservadores, que encuentran en la família un lugar, cariñoso y subjetivo, de reproducción fértil, mientras que los colectivos de identidad, la comunidad LGBTQIA+ busca espacios para el debate político y los avances y rupturas de estas nociones, historicamente construidas, en el processo de significar la sexualidad. Se insertan nuevos componentes, a través de las historias de personas que intercambian visiones y palabras impregnadas de sentido, que se reformulan constantemente.

ABSTRACT The relationship among homosexuality, religion and family is discussed, based on Socio-historical Psychology. For this purpose, the movie Prayers for Bobby is used as a cultural document, historically dated, which allows highlighting the forms of psychosocial experiences. Three categories of analysis of the 16 selected emblematic scenes were constructed: meanings of religion, homosexuality and family; the meaning of homosexuality and suicide; and intergenerational impacts of the homosexuality sign. The results indicate that the relationship among assumed homosexuality, religious dogma and the traditional family can trigger suicidal acts with volitional and conscious motivation; the sign, senses, meaning, mediation and internalization approaches have contributed to understanding the impact that socially constructed concepts of homosexuality have on the experience of young homosexuals sexuality and their affective relationships in the social and family spheres. Finally, it is considered that cinematographic production encourages discussions of complex issues and phenomena with persistent origins and historical representations, which mobilize new ways of thinking and constructing society. Homosexual meaning is set out pejoratively, with the strength of historical materiality and hegemonic maintenance of ideas, through conservative groups, who find an affectionate and subjective, fertile reproduction place in the family. In contrast, identity collectives, the LGBTQIA+ community, seek spaces for political debate and advances and ruptures of historically constructed notions in the process of signifying sexuality. The individuals' stories exchanging visions and words are inserted with new components constantly reformulated with meaning.

Concepções e vivências da sexualidade e seus efeitos nas vidas de mulheres idosas / Conceptions and experiences of sexuality and the efects on the lives of elderly women / Concepciones y vivencias de la sexualidade y sus efectos em la vida de las mujeres mayores

Objetivo: desvelar os conceitos e percepções da sexualidade de mulheres idosas e os impactos em suas vidas. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo exploratório-descritivo, com onze entrevistadas, mulheres entre 60 e 80 anos de idade, usuárias de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde, localizada no noroeste do Paraná. Resultados: observou-se que as mulheres idosas, em sua maioria, relacionam a sexualidade ao ato sexual e, consequentemente, depende de seu parceiro e percebem o ato como algo exclusivo do casamento e que depende do marido para acontecer. Conclusão: conclui-se que a sexualidade, apesar do conceito ter relação direta com o ato sexual, podem produzir influência em sua autoestima, na dinâmica familiar e busca pela assistência de saúde.

Objective: to reveal the concepts and perceptions of elderly women's sexuality and the impacts on their lives. Method: this is an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study, with eleven interviewees, women between 60 and 80 years of age, users of a Basic Health Unit, located in the northwest of Paraná. Results: it was observed that the majority of elderly women relate sexuality to the sexual act and, consequently, depend on their partner and perceive the act as something exclusive to marriage and that it depends on the husband to happen. Conclusion: It is concluded that sexuality, despite the concept having a direct relationship with the sexual act, can influence self-esteem, family dynamics and the search for health care.

Objetivos: revelar los conceptos y percepciones sobre la sexualidad de las mujeres mayores y los impactos en sus vidas. Método: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo exploratorio-descriptivo, con once entrevistadas, mujeres entre 60 y 80 años, usuarias de una Unidad Básica de Salud, ubicada en el noroeste de Paraná. Resultados: se observó que la mayoría de las mujeres mayores relacionan la sexualidad con el acto sexual y, en consecuencia, dependen de su pareja y perciben el acto como algo exclusivo del matrimonio y que depende del marido para realizarse. Conclusión: se concluye que la sexualidad, apesar de que el concepto tiene relación directa con el acto sexual, puede influir en la autoestima, la dinámica familiar y la búsqueda de atención de salud.

The sexuality of women with cervical cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy in Ghana.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the sexuality of cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at a major cancer treatment center in Ghana. This is an area of interest as globally; cervical cancer kills approximately 342,000 people per annum with an estimated number of 604,000 new cases in 2020. Acknowledging the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality, this paper sheds light on how these dimensions affect the quality of life of cervical cancer patients. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study, which assessed the impact of radiotherapy on the sexuality of both premenopausal and postmenopausal cervical cancer patients presenting for primary treatment with chemoradiation from April to July, 2021 at a major cancer treatment centre in Ghana. The Female Sexual Function Index and Body Image Scale questionnaires were respectively used to evaluate the sexual functions scores among the cervical cancer patients, and to assess the impact of the treatment on their body image. MATLAB software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Most of the cervical cancer patients sampled were postmenopausal (57 %). About 79 % premenopausal and 96 % postmenopausal cervical cancer patients were sexually inactive during radiotherapy (day 15). Also, 48 % premenopausal and 24 % postmenopausal patients were very dissatisfied with their bodies at the onset of treatment. The frequency of orgasm in cervical cancer patients declined after treatment causing a deterioration in their sexual function. The patients' sexuality was influenced by age and menopausal status. The decreased sexual desire of the patients resulted in emotional distancing from their partners, which invariably induced changes in their partners' level of sexual interest. This study established significant differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal cervical cancer patients who were generally very dissatisfied with their sexual relationships with their partners on day 1 (p = 0.02) and on day 15 (p = 0.00) of treatment. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients who presented for treatment for cervical cancer in this study were postmenopausal. Their interest in sexual activity was more influenced by their menopausal status than their antineoplastic treatment. This study indicates that cervical cancer patients are more likely to develop sexual health problems which could substantially worsen over the course of their treatment and beyond. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The study will contribute within the oncology team by assisting personnel in putting in place measures that will guide the treatment of cervical cancer patients and improve quality of care.

La influencia del consumo de pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad masculina de jóvenes chilenos / The influence of pornography consumption on the construction of male sexuality in young chilean men

Este trabajo está orientado a conocerla influencia que ejerce la pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad de hombres jóvenes consumidores de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. De acuerdo con la literatura la pornografía es vista de forma mayoritaria por jóvenes varones que van desde los 12 años hasta su adultez. Esta situación influye en la socialización de los varones y en su concepción de la sexualidad que resulta ser problemática como consecuencia de este consumo. Para esto se realizó una investigación de carácter cualitativo en la cual se aplicaron diez entrevistas semiestructuradas a jóvenes consumidores de 21 a 26 años y a dos expertos (en educación y en sexualidad). Los resultados apuntan a la existencia una fuerte influencia de la pornografía en la sexualidad de los jóvenes. No limitada sólo a la sexualidad, sino que además a la concepción propia de la masculinidad y su rol en las relaciones afectivos-sexuales. Finalmente, los resultados evidencian que los jóvenes reflexionan sobre los elementos negativos que han debido afrontar dadas las sustanciales diferencias que tiene la ficción con la realidad en el consumo de pornografía AU

This work is oriented to know the influence that pornography exerts in the constructionof the sexuality of young male consumers in the city of Temuco, Chile. According to the literature, pornography is viewed mostly by young men ranging from 12 years to adulthood. This situation influences the socialization of men and their conception of sexuality, which turns out to be problematic as a consequence of this consumption. For this, a qualitative investigation was carried out in which ten semi-structured interviews were applied to young consumers between the ages of 21 and 26 and to two experts (in education and in sexuality). The results point to the existence of a strong influence of pornography on the sexuality of young people. Not limited only to sexuality, but also to the own conception of masculinity and its role in affective-sexual relationships. Finally, the results show that young people reflect on the negative elements that they have had to face given the substantial differences between fiction and reality in the consumption of pornography AU

Breaking the taboo: qualitative analysis of the sexuality in people with acquired motor disability.

BACKGROUND: Globally 1 in 7 people experience some type of disability. In Latin America, as in other regions, there are programs focused on the protection of sexual and reproductive rights of this population group. However, to date, in Peru there are no programs, protocols or guidelines that include a specialist (sexologist or trained health professional) in the health system to improve the quality of life and well-being of this population. Therefore, the objective of this article is to qualitatively analyze the experience of sexuality in people with acquired motor disabilities. METHODS: We used the interpretative phenomenological approach and the semi-structured in-depth interview composed of 60 questions, which was applied to 7 people (4 women and 3 men) with acquired motor disabilities. RESULTS: Diversity in the experience of sexuality was observed. While some experience it without fear, others have annulled their sexual encounters, because in addition to physical limitations, they experience psychosocial limitations such as pain, functional alterations, depression, low self-esteem, discrimination, exclusion, stigmas and socio-environmental barriers, among others. Likewise, the study reflected the double discrimination suffered by women (for being a woman and having a disability), as well as the lack of education, counseling or sex therapy by specialized professionals, and the influence of religion, society and culture as factors that condition and limit their sexuality. This reflects the current situation in Peru and other countries in the region, where the sexuality of people with disabilities continues to be a complex and ambiguous issue. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that for some participants it is possible to experience sexuality without fear, while others hold back their experiences for reasons other than physical, self-esteem, social discrimination, among others. The review of the profile and level of specialization of the health services professionals involved in the integral medical care of people with disabilities and their couples is required because of their need for adequate and specialized attention for their better adaptation to the new condition.

Sexuality among young Danes treated for mental health problems: Baseline findings in a nationwide cohort study.

Mental health problems are common among adolescents and young adults (AYA), but although sexuality plays a central role in the transition from adolescence to adulthood, associations between such problems and sexuality have only been sparsely researched in AYA. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between mental health problems and various outcomes related to body and sexuality, romantic relationships, sexual functioning, and sexual risk behaviors among AYA. We used questionnaire data from 8696 Danish AYA aged 15-24 years who participated in the nationwide cohort study Project SEXUS at baseline in 2017-2018. Logistic regression analyses yielded demographically weighted, age-adjusted odds ratios for associations between mental health problems and sexual outcomes. Female AYA treated for mental health problems reported more active sex lives than other women. Treatment for mental health problems was associated with statistically significantly increased odds ratios for several sexual dysfunctions, and treated AYA significantly more often reported sexual debut before age 15 years, high sex partner numbers, sexual victimization, unsafe sex, sexually transmitted infections, induced abortions, discontentment with the appearance of body and genitalia, gender non-conformity, same-sex sexual experience, and non-heterosexual identity. Compared to healthy peers, AYA treated for mental health problems constitute a vulnerable group at increased risk of sexual adversities. Healthcare professionals should acknowledge these possible sexual challenges and offer relevant counselling to reduce the risk of adverse sexual outcomes in this group.

Affectivity, sexuality, and autism spectrum disorder: qualitative analysis of the experiences of autistic young adults and their families.

BACKGROUND: Autistic people have communication, sensorial, and social difficulties, which on many occasions, make their adaptation on the sexual and affective levels difficult. For this reason, it is important to know the opinion of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, to offer this perspective to professionals to facilitate adapted health education programs in mental health units. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive design presents the experiences of autistic individuals and their families in relation to the affective-sexual experiences from individual, family, and social perspectives. Two focus group sessions were held with eight family members and seven individual semi-structured interviews with autistic young adults. The transcripts were qualitatively analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Four themes (Family and social dynamic; Social behaviour of the autistic individual; Affective-sexual relationships; Addressing affective and sex education) and 13 related categories emerged from these results. Communication and social interaction problems act as barriers for young adults when developing affective-sexual relationships, leading to the emergence of negative feelings and experiences that reinforce avoidance behaviours, further intensifying their difficulties in interacting with others. Families, especially mothers, exhibit a poor perception of their ability to provide affective-sexual guidance, leading to anxiety and frustration. There are also reports of poor sex education and lack of support systems. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The experiences of young people and their families are sometimes conflicting when it comes to affectivity and sexuality, but the parental role emerges as relevant in the sex education process. Families play a pivotal role in sex education, which is why professionals should provide them with support and information through health education programmes, foster empathetic communication and promote sexual and emotional development that is adapted to the characteristics and interests of autistic people.

Examining the effect of weight self-stigma on attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy using structural equation modeling.

Obesity can cause psychiatric, medical, sexuality and relationship problems. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of weight self-stigma on attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy using structural equation modeling. This cross-sectional study and correlational design was conducted and included 328 pregnant women pre-pregnancy body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2. The data were collected using a socio-demographic information form, the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire, and the Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, mean comparison tests, and structural equation modeling. The correlation matrices of all weight self-stigma and attitudes toward sexuality scale scores showed a significant correlation (p<0.05). According to the path coefficient for the effect of weight self-stigma on sexual attitudes, as the pregnant women stigmatized themselves more, their attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy changed negatively (ß<0). Weight self-stigma leads to negative attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy in pregnant women.

L'obésité peut entraîner des problèmes psychiatriques, médicaux, sexuels et relationnels. Ainsi, cette étude visait à examiner l'effet de l'autostigmatisation liée au poids sur les attitudes à l'égard de la sexualité pendant la grossesse à l'aide d'une modélisation par équation structurelle. Cette étude transversale et de conception corrélationnelle a été menée et a inclus 328 femmes enceintes avec un indice de masse corporelle avant la grossesse supérieur à 30 kg/m2. Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un formulaire d'informations sociodémographiques, du questionnaire d'auto-stigmatisation lié au poids et de l'échelle d'attitude à l'égard de la sexualité pendant la grossesse. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives, d'analyses de corrélation, de tests de comparaison moyenne et de modélisation d'équations structurelles. Les matrices de corrélation de tous les scores d'autostigmatisation liée au poids et d'attitudes à l'égard de la sexualité ont montré une corrélation significative (p < 0,05). Selon le coefficient de cheminement de l'effet de l'autostigmatisation liée au poids sur les attitudes sexuelles, à mesure que les femmes enceintes se stigmatisent davantage, leurs attitudes à l'égard de la sexualité pendant la grossesse ont changé négativement (ß < 0). L'autostigmatisation liée au poids conduit à des attitudes négatives envers la sexualité pendant la grossesse. grossesse chez les femmes enceintes.

School Memories about Homophobic Bullying: A Study Based on Cultural-Historical Psychology.

The expression of homophobic violence in schools reveals the urgency of an analytical approach to debate the impact of this phenomenon on students' mental health. This article seeks to debate and better comprehend school memories from young gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, as well as to discuss how homophobic bullying affected their school trajectories. This study is based on cultural-historical psychology in intersection with gender and sexuality studies. In-depth online interviews were conducted with three young subjects who identified themselves as non-heterosexual. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through the analytical discourse tool defined as Nuclei of Meanings. The results were organized in two topics of discussion: (a) the problems associated with non-heterosexual identity in schools; (b) the search for other ways of experiencing sexual identity in school. Throughout the article, reflections were held about the challenges participants had to deal with in order to regularly attend school and be educated, as well as the obstacles they faced in building their own ways of recognizing their sexual identity. The unique ways in which these young subjects took a stand in the face of homophobic situations show new methods to create educational interventions in order to include sexual diversity and openness to different possibilities of being and acting.

A Motivational Approach to Sexual Desire: A Model for Self-Regulation

The main objective in this article was to identify the links between classical theories on motivation and postulates on the nature and workings of erotic desire, capturing these links in a model of the motivational processing of desire. The paper reviews the most relevant motivation theories identifying their links to the nature of erotic desire, relating the main variables of these motivation theories to the concept of desire, identifying the similarities between the elements of these constructs. The outcome was a theoretical model of the motivational processing of sexual desire that also includes processes for regulating desire in which a highlight is the interaction between external and internal factors in its development. We understand that these implications underpin the need to adopt a motivational and affective approach to erotic desire, as a process that can be self-regulated. This approach stress the need to continue analyzing the affective experience and the motivational process encapsulated in desire in order to increase our understanding of its activation and development (AU)

Construction and validation of the Sociosexual Skills Inventory / Construção e validação do Inventário de Habilidades Sociossexuais / Construcción y validación del Inventario de Habilidades Sociosexuales

The period of youth represents a milestone for sexual transitions, including casual practices. However, having erotic experiences does not presume competence in seeking casual sex (CS), and having a repertoire that is not socially competent for casual sex (CS) can lead to sexual risks. Accordingly, this study constructed and generated evidence of validity for a measure of social skills (SS) related to CS. Initially, 48 items were constructed and applied to a valid sample of 571 heterosexual, cisgender and single young people. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed, the initial items were reduced to 18 and divided into two factors: Direct Sociosexual Skills, with 11 items (a = .81 and ω = .81), and Indirect Sociosexual Skills, with seven items (a = .67 and ω = .67). This instrument could contribute to the promotion of sexual health, as a more elaborate SS repertoire would be related to lower rates of abuse, sexually transmitted infections and harassment.(AU)

A juventude representa um marco para as transições sexuais, incluindo práticas casuais. Contudo, ter experiências eróticas não presume competência para sua busca, e um repertório pouco competente socialmente para o sexo casual (SC) pode levar a riscos sexuais. Nesse sentido, esse estudo construiu e gerou evidências de validade para uma medida de habilidades sociais (HS) relativas ao SC. Inicialmente, foram construídos 48 itens que foram aplicados a uma amostra válida de 571 jovens heterossexuais, cisgêneros e solteiros. Foi realizada a Análise Fatorial Exploratória, os itens foram reduzidos para 18 e divididos em dois fatores: Habilidades Sociossexuais Diretas, com 11 itens (α = 0,81 e ω = 0,81), e Habilidades Sociossexuais Indiretas, com sete itens (α= 0,67 e ω = 0,67). Este instrumento poderá contribuir para a promoção da saúde sexual, na medida que um repertório mais elaborado de HS estaria relacionado a menores índices de abuso, infecções sexualmente transmissíveis e assédio.(AU)

La juventud representa un hito para las transiciones sexuales, incluyendo prácticas casuales. Sin embargo, tener experiencias eróticas no supone competencia para buscarlas, y un repertorio socialmente inadecuado para el sexo casual (SC) puede conducir a riesgos sexuales. En este sentido, este estudio construyó y generó evidencias de validez para una medida de habilidades sociales (HS) relacionadas con el SC. Inicialmente, se crearon 48 ítems que se aplicaron a una muestra válida de 571 jóvenes heterosexuales, cisgénero y solteros. Se realizó un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio y los ítems se redujeron a 18 y se dividieron en dos factores: Habilidades Sociosexuales Directas, con 11 ítems (α= 0.81 y ω= 0.81), y Habilidades Sociosexuales Indirectas, con siete ítems (α= 0.67 y ω= 0,67). Este instrumento podría contribuir a la promoción de la salud sexual, ya que un repertorio de HS más elaborado se asocia con menores índices de abuso, infecciones de transmisión sexual y acoso sexual.(AU)

British mental healthcare responses to adult homosexuality and gender non-conforming children at the turn of the twenty-first century.

The roots of the recent controversy about how mental health professionals should respond to gender non-conforming children are traced. To make historical sense, this paper distinguishes between epistemological (discursive) and ontological (non-discursive) aspects and describes their features, since 1970. This helps to clarify some of the confusions at the centre of the still heated debate about sexuality and gender identity today. In the concluding discussion, the philosophical resource of critical realism is used to interpret the historical narrative provided. It cautions against the anachronistic tendency to amalgamate the short-lived, and now defunct, experiment of aversion therapy for homosexuality with more recent defences of exploratory psychotherapy. The latter have challenged a different form of experimentation: the bio-medicalisation of gender non-conforming children.