The Impacts of Lifetime Violence on Women's Current Sexual Health.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV), nonpartner sexual violence (SV), child sexual and physical abuse, and neglect have detrimental impacts on women's reproductive and sexual health. More empirical studies are needed to investigate the negative impacts of lifetime violence, including physical or sexual child abuse, nonpartner SV, physical, sexual, and psychological IPV on women's sexual health to better understand long-term impacts from IPV and physical or sexual child abuse. Materials and Methods: We used data from Wellness, Health and You, an ongoing health registry. A total of 1,213 women were included in data analysis. Our aim was to investigate the associations between lifetime IPV, nonpartner SV, child abuse, and women's current sexual health defined using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures of sexual health (e.g., sexual satisfaction, interest, and functioning), sexual assertiveness, female sexual subjectivity, and use of online resources to address sexual needs. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to investigate demographic factors (e.g., age and current relationship) as potential correlates of current sexual health. Results: Women with lifetime experiences of physical, sexual, or psychological IPV, nonpartner SV, and child physical or sexual abuse reported lower sexual satisfaction compared to women with no history of lifetime violence (p < 0.0001). However, lifetime violence was not correlated with sexual interest, sexual functioning, sexual subjectivity, nor sexual assertiveness. Conclusion: Lifetime experiences of violence (i.e., IPV, nonpartner SV, child abuse) are associated with poorer sexual health. Asking questions about past sexual and physical violence/abuse in ways that support disclosure is important toward improving women's physical and sexual health and wellbeing.

Erectile dysfunction prevalence in the United States: report from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: There has been a great deal of public speculation regarding a surge in erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men despite data consistently indicating that the ED prevalence rates increase with age. AIM: In this study we sought to assess the prevalence and risk of experiencing ED in a nationally representative sample of men in the United States across various social groups, describe comorbidities, and examine barriers to treatment. METHODS: Data from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing were analyzed by utilizing the Ipsos KnowledgePanel®, a probability-based online panel, for the purpose of obtaining US nationally representative data of adults aged 18 years and older. The analytic sample consisted of 1822 cisgender men ranging in age from 18 to 87 years, with a mean age of 47.5 years. OUTCOMES: Study outcomes were ED as measured by the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), as well as self-reported diagnosis by a medical professional, comorbidities with other health issues, medications taken for ED, and barriers to treatment. RESULTS: The ED prevalence rate based on IIEF-5 scores was 24.2%. Prevalence increased with age: 52.2% of the 75+ age group, and 48.0% of the 65-74 age group meeting diagnostic criteria for ED. Diagnostic criteria were met for more participants in the 18-24 age group (17.9%) than the 25-34 (13.3%) or 35-44 (12.7%) age groups, but less than the 45-54 (25.3%) or 55-64 (33.9%) age groups. Only 7.7% (n = 141) of the sample reported having been diagnosed by a provider (n = 4 in 25-34, n = 6 in 35-44, n = 13 in 45-54, n = 39 in 55-64, n = 44 in 65-74, and n = 34 in ≥75-year olds), indicating a gap in access to treatment. The most common reason selected for not accessing care for ED concerns was a lack of need to see a provider in the past year. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The discrepancy between ED self-report and medical diagnosis is critical, given that ED can be an indication of underlying health risks. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first nationally representative update to information regarding the prevalence of ED in almost 2 decades. Standard administration of the IIEF-5 is limited to participants who have had sex in the last 6 months, so these rates do not include those men with ED who have been avoiding penetrative sex for a significant time. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that ED prevalence and severity remain highest in older age groups and that most individuals who meet criteria for ED have not sought medical care related to this concern.

Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes.

Affectionate touch (e.g. hugging, handholding) is an essential component of many intimate relationships and is a primary contributor to overall relationship satisfaction as well as sexual satisfaction. Affectionate touch is understood to be a form of non-verbal communication in which the giver is expressing positive feelings toward the receiver. Here, we propose that affectionate touch also positively impacts receivers' body satisfaction, because affectionate touch is a positive message communicated toward the receiver's body. In a cross-sectional sample of romantically partnered women (N = 1,156), we assessed the association between affectionate touch frequency and body satisfaction. We also investigated whether affectionate touch is associated with relationship/sexual satisfaction in part because touch helps to improve women's evaluations of their own bodies. Our results showed that body satisfaction was a significant, partial mediator and a valid path through which affectionate touch shapes relationship quality. Receiving affectionate touch could bolster relationship satisfaction and self-perceptions among women. Given the prevalence of body dissatisfaction amongst women, these results suggest that the underexplored associations between affectionate touch and body satisfaction may have significant impacts on a wide array of future empirical and applied research trajectories.

Women's strategies for navigating a healthy sex life post-sexual trauma.

Sexual trauma is common. Consequences of sexual trauma can include deterioration of mental and physical health and it can also affect future romantic and sexual relationships. Previous studies have identified common healthy and destructive coping mechanisms to recover after experiencing sexual trauma, but few studies have investigated useful strategies to move into a healthy sexual relationship focused on resilience. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 women with a history of sexual trauma who were in a healthy sexual relationship at the time of participation. Participants provided strategies that helped them move beyond the sexually traumatic event(s) toward a healthy sexual relationship. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 5 effective and 6 ineffective strategies reported by the participants. Rich examples of resilience and empowerment were overarching in the effective strategies used for moving toward healthy sexual relationships. Women were also able to reflect on the strategies that were ineffective for them with kindness and understanding for their coping at that time, a normalizing theme for women working through sexual trauma. The results of this study will help therapists and researchers working with women who have experienced sexual trauma learn from their experiences in working beyond trauma toward a healthy sexual relationship.

LGBTQ+ Grassroots Activism: An Opportunity for Resilience.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender and sexual minority (LGBTQ+) individuals have a long history of mobilizing to raise awareness and initiate social and political change for LGBTQ+ related issues. The present study explored how grassroots activism impacted resilience among LGBTQ+ people. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 LGBTQ+ activists from one statewide grassroots organization aiming to ban conversion therapy. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify a central theme and six interrelated subthemes. The central theme was that outness, activism, and resilience have cyclical relationships. Subthemes were related to identity exploration, affirmation, and synthesis; responsibility and humility; psychological skills; coping; social support; and negative experiences. These data may be helpful for LGBTQ+ grassroots activism and community leaders aiming to boost the resilience and strengthen well-being of their organization members.

Attitudes toward Mothers as Sexual Beings (ATMSB): Scale Development and Associations with Satisfaction and Desire among Parents with Young Children.

Societal messages about mothers indicate an incompatibility between motherhood and sexuality and women report not feeling like sexual beings after transitioning into parenthood. Research shows that negative sexual attitudes are associated with worse sexual function, indicating that negative attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings may negatively impact the sexual health of mothers and their partners. However, there is no existing tool to measure sexual attitudes about mothers. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to measure attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings (ATMSB) and examine associations with sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and desire among men and women with small children. Men and women with their first child no older than 5 (N = 481) were recruited from Qualtrics Panels. Results indicated that the ATMSB scale is a reliable and valid 11-item tool for measuring attitudes about mothers as sexual beings. The scale has two subscales, one on sexuality and quality of mothering and another on mothers' sexual interests and behaviors. ATMSB scores were associated with sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction and desire for men and women with young children. This scale has implications for sex research and clinical practice addressing issues that are relevant to mothers and their partners.

Changes in Solo and Partnered Sexual Behaviors following the First COVID-19 Wave: Data from an International Study of 26 Countries.

Objective: To determine individual- and country-level factors associated with self-reported changes in solo and partnered sexual behaviors in an international sample of adults during COVID-19. Methods: Data were from the International Sexual Health And REproductive Health during COVID-19 study (I-SHARE)-a cross-sectional, multi-country study (N = 26 countries) assessing adult (N = 19,654) sexual/reproductive health before and during the first wave of COVID-19. We examined self-reported changes (three-point scale: decreased, no change, increased) in solo masturbation, hugging/holding hands/cuddling with a partner, sex with a primary partner, sex with a casual partner, sexting with a partner, viewing sexually explicit media and partnered cybersex. Ordinal regression assessed the impact of individual (age, gender- and sexual-identity, romantic partnership status, employment and income stability, household change and content, mental well-being, changes in alcohol use, and changes in marijuana use) and country-level (e.g., Oxford Stringency Index, Human Development Index, and the Palma Ratio) factors on behavior change. Results: The most common behavior to increase was hugging, kissing, or cuddling with a partner (21.5%), and the most common behavior to decrease was sex with a main partner (36.7%). Household factors like job/income instability and having children over the age of 12 years were significantly associated with decreased affectionate and sexual partnered sexual behaviors; more frequent substance use was linked to significantly increased solo, partnered, and virtual sexual behaviors. Conclusions: Understanding changes in sexual behaviors-as well as the factors that make changes more or less likely among adults around the world-are important to ensure adequate sexual health support development for future public health emergencies.

Sexual Desire in the Time of COVID-19: How COVID-Related Stressors Are Associated with Sexual Desire in Romantic Relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social distancing measures have caused widespread social and economic disruptions, resulting in spikes in unemployment and financial instability, along with drastic changes to people's ability to feel socially connected. Many of the changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are risk factors for depressive symptoms, which are associated with lower levels of sexual desire. The current research (N = 4,993) examined whether responses to external stressors brought on by COVID-19 (i.e., financial concern, worry, loneliness, stress) were associated with sexual desire among a multi-national sample of people in relationships (Studies 1-2), and whether this association was, in part, due to reports of depressive symptoms (Study 2). In the period immediately following the onset of the pandemic, more financial concern (Study 1) and worry (Study 2) were associated with higher sexual desire, while other factors, like stress (Studies 1-2), were associated with lower desire. We also followed a subset of participants every two weeks during the initial stages of the pandemic and at times when people reported greater stress, loneliness, financial strain, or worry than their average, they reported greater depressive symptoms, which was, in turn, associated with lower sexual desire. Results suggest that the social isolation and stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have mixed associations with sexual desire at the onset of the pandemic. But over time, when people report heightened COVID-related stressors, they tend to report lower sexual desire for their partner, in part because these stressors are associated with more depressive symptoms.

Communicating a History of Sexual Trauma: Partner Responses to Women's Disclosure.

The study aimed to understand how women who experienced sexual trauma but are now in a healthy relationship perceive their partners' responses to their disclosure of sexual trauma. Forty-one women completed an in-depth semi-structured phone interview. Responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying two overarching themes and six subthemes. The results provide a voice to the needs and preferences of women who experienced sexual trauma, but are navigating communication in a healthy relationship. Given that most women disclosed their experiences with partners, this sample provides valuable insight for clinicians, interventionists, and partners of survivors to navigate supportive interactions.

Is Infidelity Predictable? Using Explainable Machine Learning to Identify the Most Important Predictors of Infidelity.

Infidelity can be a disruptive event in a romantic relationship with a devastating impact on both partners' well-being. Thus, there are benefits to identifying factors that can explain or predict infidelity, but prior research has not utilized methods that would provide the relative importance of each predictor. We used a machine learning algorithm, random forest (a type of interpretable highly non-linear decision tree), to predict in-person and online infidelity across two studies (one individual and one dyadic, N = 1,295). We also used a game theoretic explanation technique, Shapley values, which allowed us to estimate the effect size of each predictor variable on infidelity. The present study showed that infidelity was somewhat predictable overall and interpersonal factors such as relationship satisfaction, love, desire, and relationship length were the most predictive of online and in person infidelity. The results suggest that addressing relationship difficulties early in the relationship may help prevent infidelity.

Uncovering the Most Important Factors for Predicting Sexual Desire Using Explainable Machine Learning.

BACKGROUND: Low sexual desire is the most common sexual problem reported with 34% of women and 15% of men reporting lack of desire for at least 3 months in a 12-month period. Sexual desire has previously been associated with both relationship and individual well-being highlighting the importance of understanding factors that contribute to sexual desire as improving sexual desire difficulties can help improve an individual's overall quality of life. AIM: The purpose of the present study was to identify the most salient individual (eg, attachment style, attitudes toward sexuality, gender) and relational (eg, relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, romantic love) predictors of dyadic and solitary sexual desire from a large number of predictor variables. METHODS: Previous research has relied primarily on traditional statistical models which are limited in their ability to estimate a large number of predictors, non-linear associations, and complex interactions. We used a machine learning algorithm, random forest (a type of highly non-linear decision tree), to circumvent these issues to predict dyadic and solitary sexual desire from a large number of predictors across 2 online samples (N = 1,846; includes 754 individuals forming 377 couples). We also used a Shapley value technique to estimate the size and direction of the effect of each predictor variable on the model outcome. OUTCOMES: The outcomes included total, dyadic, and solitary sexual desire measured using the Sexual Desire Inventory. RESULTS: The models predicted around 40% of variance in dyadic and solitary desire with women's desire being more predictable than men's overall. Several variables consistently predicted dyadic sexual desire such as sexual satisfaction and romantic love, and solitary desire such as masturbation and attitudes toward sexuality. These predictors were similar for both men and women and gender was not an important predictor of sexual desire. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: The results highlight the importance of addressing overall relationship satisfaction when sexual desire difficulties are presented in couples therapy. It is also important to understand clients' attitudes toward sexuality. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The study improves on existing methodologies in the field and compares a large number of predictors of sexual desire. However, the data were cross-sectional and there may have been variables that are important for desire but were not present in the datasets. CONCLUSION: Higher sexual satisfaction and feelings of romantic love toward one's partner are important predictors of dyadic sexual desire whereas regular masturbation and more permissive attitudes toward sexuality predicted solitary sexual desire. Vowels LM, Vowels MJ, Mark KP. Uncovering the Most Important Factors for Predicting Sexual Desire Using Explainable Machine Learning. J Sex Med 2021;18:1198-1216.

Ebbs and Flows of Desire: A Qualitative Exploration of Contextual Factors Affecting Sexual Desire in Bisexual, Lesbian, and Straight Women.

Previous research has found that sexual desire ebbs and flows over time within and across relationships, leading to instances of desire discrepancy. The purpose of the present study was to understand factors that may contribute to desire and desire discrepancy and examine differences and similarities across women from diverse sexual identity groups. The present qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 31 women (10 bisexual, 8 lesbian, and 13 straight). We identified six main themes (changes across lifespan, hormonal influences, mental and physical health, objective of desire, partner dynamics, external factors) with 21 subthemes. The findings showed more similarities between the women than differences.

Strategies for Mitigating Sexual Desire Discrepancy in Relationships.

Sexual desire discrepancy, when one member of a couple experiences more or less sexual desire relative to their partner, is among the main reasons for couples to seek therapy. A great deal of prior research has examined the complexity of sexual desire and the role of sexual desire discrepancy in long-term relationships, but little research has specifically examined strategies used to mitigate sexual desire discrepancy when it arises. Thus, the purpose of the present mixed methods study was to identify the strategies that individuals in long-term relationships use during times of desire discrepancy and to address whether the use of specific strategies influenced sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire. We collected data from 229 participants and our thematic content analysis produced 17 strategies, divided into five main groups (disengagement, communication, engagement in activity alone, engagement in other activity with partner, and have sex anyway). Specific strategies were associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction but not with sexual desire. Specifically, partnered strategies were associated with higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to individual strategies. Additionally, participants who reported that their strategies were very helpful had higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction compared to participants who found them somewhat helpful followed by not at all helpful. These results have implications for clinicians, educators, and researchers and highlight the importance of using effective strategies to deal with desire discrepancy and communicating about them in relationships. The use of effective strategies can have implications for overall couple well-being.

"Not Tonight, Honey:" Reasons Couples Do Not Engage in Sex and Their Impact on Satisfaction and Desire.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual activity is an important aspect of most romantic relationships. However, many couples report declines in sexual activity over time and report many reasons for not engaging in sexual activity on a daily basis. AIM: To investigate the reasons for not engaging in sexual activity in couples over a month and whether these reasons are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire. METHODS: We collected 30-day daily electronic report data from 174 individuals (87 mixed-sex couples). The responses between men and women were analyzed using chi-squared tests, and we used multilevel modeling to examine the association between the reasons and satisfaction and desire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure includes daily sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual desire. Daily reported reasons for not engaging in sexual activity are categorized into joint reason, self-based reason, partner-based reason, and other reasons. RESULTS: Men and women were equally likely to endorse joint reasons for not engaging in sexual activity (eg, "It just didn't happen"), whereas women were more likely to endorse self-based reasons (eg "I wasn't in the mood") and men partner-based reasons (eg "My partner was tired"). The reasons for not engaging in sexual activity were associated with daily sexual and relationship satisfaction and daily sexual desire. Higher baseline sexual desire was associated with a greater likelihood of endorsing partner-related reasons and smaller likelihood of endorsing self-related reasons. Higher baseline sexual satisfaction was associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting partner-based reasons, and higher baseline relationship satisfaction was associated with an increased likelihood of reporting joint reasons. Some of the other associations were significant only for men or women. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results inform couples' therapy and other clinical interventions and highlight the importance of addressing the reasons for not engaging in sexual activity to find ways of mitigating some of these reasons. STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: The study was the first to date to address reasons for not engaging in sexual activity in a sample of couples in an experience-sampling study. However, our scope was limited to mixed-sex couples who were primarily white and heterosexual, and we only addressed reasons for not engaging in partnered sex (not solitary sex). CONCLUSION: The reasons for not engaging in sexual activity seem different for men and women and are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire, and this link appears to be bidirectional. Mark KP, Vowels LM, Leistner CE. "Not Tonight, Honey:" Reasons Couples Do Not Engage in Sex and Their Impact on Satisfaction and Desire. J Sex Med 2020;17:431-441.

Partners' Daily Love and Desire as Predictors of Engagement in and Enjoyment of Sexual Activity.

Romantic love and sexual desire have often been seen as two distinct constructs and studied separately. However, in most romantic relationships love, desire, and sex are intertwined. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether daily feelings of love and desire influence engagement in and enjoyment of sexual activity. Ninety mixed-sex couples (N = 180) completed a 30-day daily diary. The results were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling and showed that both love and desire significantly predicted engagement in and enjoyment of sexual activity with desire being a stronger predictor. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

Positive Communication and Partner Appraisals Among Mothers and Their Long-Term Male Partners: Impact on Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction.

Parents in the USA struggle to maintain their sexual and relational health over time. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of positive communication and partner appraisals on sexual and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 93 mixed sex couples (N = 186) with children living in the home on a full-time basis. Results indicated that for men and women, positive communication scores predicted higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction and more positive partner appraisals predicted higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Significant results were also found at the couple-level. Findings have clinical and educational implications for parents.

The Happy American Body 2.0: Predictors of affective body satisfaction in two U.S. national internet panel surveys.

The first national study of body image was reported four decades ago in the article The Happy American Body (Berscheid et al., 1973). To provide a modern follow-up to this study, we used two Internet panel surveys of U.S. adults to examine feelings about appearance (Survey 1: Married N = 1095; Single N = 5481) and weight, appearance, body, and muscle size/tone (Survey 2: N = 1601). Mean ages across samples for men and women ranged from 42-53. On the positive side, many men and women were somewhat-to-very satisfied with their appearance (67 %; 57 %), overall body (61 %; 46 %), weight (54 %; 42 %), and muscle tone/size (56 %; 41 %). Mean gender differences were small (Cohen's ds = 0.18-0.32), as were sexual orientation differences within each gender (ds = |0.00-0.25|). Looking at negative body image, fewer men than women were somewhat-to-very unhappy with their appearance among married (19 %; 29 %) and single participants (29 %; 35 %), and fewer men were somewhat-to-extremely dissatisfied with their appearance (18 %; 24 %), body (27 %; 39 %), weight (36 %; 49 %), muscle tone/size (27 %; 41 %). Nearly one-fifth of men (18 %) and one-fourth of women (27 %) were very-to-extremely dissatisfied with at least one of these traits, highlighting the importance of body image interventions.

Daily Sexual Desire and Its Impact on Next-Day Desire and Behavior in Mixed Sex Couples.

Sexual desire contributes to overall sexual and relational health among long-term romantic partnerships. However, little research has examined the nuances of partner-level sexual desire and behavior on a daily level, despite evidence that it ebbs and flows and is more of a state than a static characteristic. Additionally, daily sexual behavior and desire may impact women differently than men. Therefore, understanding individual and partner-level dynamics among men and women may provide a more nuanced understanding of sexual desire as a situational state in the context of long term couples. A sample of 87 mixed-sex couples (174 individuals; M age = 33 years) in long-term relationships (M = 9.33 years) completed a daily electronic report for 30 days and reported on their daily sexual desire and sexual behavior. A series of four stability influence actor partner interdependence models were conducted to investigate the individual and partner-level link between men and women's daily levels of sexual desire and their sexual behavior and desire the following day. Findings indicated that daily sexual desire fuels sexual desire on the following day, particularly for men, regardless of whether sexual behavior was engaged in. Additionally, sexual desire on one day impacts next-day desire for partners, particularly on days when sexual behavior occurred. Contextual, partner-level contributing factors seem to have the largest impact on daily levels of sexual desire among long-term couples. Implications and future research directions are discussed.