Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 16445

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Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04007 Almeria, Spain
Interests: neonatology; pediatric; nursing students; quality of life; qualitative research.
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Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
Interests: neurodegenerative diseases; geriatric psychiatry; palliative care; family caregiving; bioethics; community health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
Interests: clinical nursing care; end of life care; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite papers to this Special Issue of the Behavioral Sciences that will focus on sex desire, sexuality and sexual dysfunction. Sexuality, an indispensable aspect of human life, is a multidimensional construct closely linked to individual identity, integrity, body image and bonding. Our sexual lives are influenced by physiological, psychological, social, cultural and religious factors. These determinants give each person’s sexuality a marked personal and specific character which is experienced and expressed through desires, attitudes and sexual practices that are beyond procreation.

The association between sexuality and general health has been demonstrated. Healthy lifestyles promote sexual expressions and a fulfilling intimite life can be a facilitator of physiological and psychological well-being. Nevertheless, physiologic changes that occur during the life and illness might negatively affect sex desire and individual’s capability for sex.

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to provide information and counseling in order to promote and improve patients’ sexual lives and health, although many of them have difficulties in discussing sexuality with their patients.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original research, reviews and commentaries that provide new knowledge about determinants of sexual desire, relationship between sexual satisfaction and quality of life, sexual experiences in patients with chronic illness or disabled people, healthcare professionals experiences, sexual dysfunction as well as other issues related with sexuality.

Dr. Isabel María Fernández Medina
Dr. María Dolores Ruiz Fernández
Dr. María del Mar Jiménez Lasserrotte
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • sex desire
  • sexuality
  • sexual dysfunction
  • health

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1008 KiB  
Article
What Is the Mediating Role of Communication Skills and Sexual Satisfaction between Job and Life Satisfaction of Healthcare Employees?
by Sema Üstgörül and Catalin Popescu
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs13050368 - 28 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1369
Abstract
There are three areas of harmony in human life that are related to each other: “work environment”, “love-to be loved-sexual area” and “social environment”. Incompatibility and dissatisfaction in one area can also affect other areas. Therefore, the aim of this study is to [...] Read more.
There are three areas of harmony in human life that are related to each other: “work environment”, “love-to be loved-sexual area” and “social environment”. Incompatibility and dissatisfaction in one area can also affect other areas. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the relationship between job satisfaction, life satisfaction, communication, and sexual satisfaction of healthcare employees. The data collected by questionnaires from 394 employees working in university hospitals in Turkey were analysed using SPSS and AMOS programs. The findings show that there is a positive relationship between the job and life satisfaction of employees of healthcare organizations. Additionally, the findings revealed that communication skills and sexual satisfaction have a mediating role between job satisfaction and life satisfaction of employees in healthcare organizations. Life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and relationships are some of the factors that should be considered by healthcare organizations. It would be beneficial to employees and the public if health policy makers implemented programmes to enhance job satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
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12 pages, 1750 KiB  
Article
Distinct Emotional and Cardiac Responses to Audio Erotica between Genders
by Zhongming Gao, Xi Luo and Xianwei Che
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 273; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs13030273 - 20 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1610
Abstract
Emotional and cardiac responses to audio erotica and their gender differences are relatively unclear in the study of the human sexual response. The current study was designed to investigate gender differences regarding positive and negative emotional responses to erotica, as well as its [...] Read more.
Emotional and cardiac responses to audio erotica and their gender differences are relatively unclear in the study of the human sexual response. The current study was designed to investigate gender differences regarding positive and negative emotional responses to erotica, as well as its association with cardiac response. A total of 40 healthy participants (20 women) were exposed to erotic, neutral, and happy audio segments during which emotions and heart rate changes were evaluated. Our data showed distinct emotional responses to erotica between genders, in which women reported a higher level of shame than men and rated erotic audios as less pleasant than happy audios. Meanwhile, men reported erotic and happy audios as equally pleasant. These results were independent of cardiac changes, as both sexes demonstrated comparable heart rate deceleration when exposed to erotica relative to neutral and happy stimuli. Our results highlight the role of sociocultural modulation in the emotional response to erotica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
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11 pages, 484 KiB  
Article
Development of a Japanese Version of the Index of Sexual Satisfaction for Use in Couples with Young Children
by Ryoko Hidaka, Ikuko Sobue, Miki Yano, Ryoko Ito and Toshio Kobayashi
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(12), 503; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs12120503 - 09 Dec 2022
Viewed by 3424
Abstract
The occurrence of sexual dysfunction in couples after childbirth is well recognized, yet sexual satisfaction in couples with young children (CYC) has received little research attention. This study sought to enable this construct to be measured by developing and validating a Japanese version [...] Read more.
The occurrence of sexual dysfunction in couples after childbirth is well recognized, yet sexual satisfaction in couples with young children (CYC) has received little research attention. This study sought to enable this construct to be measured by developing and validating a Japanese version of the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) in CYC. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Scale construction and validation were conducted using two independent samples drawn from 316 mothers and 272 fathers in Japan who had at least one child aged 6 or younger. Two underlying factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis: sexual satisfaction, measured by eight items, and sexual dissatisfaction, measured by three. Polychoric ordinal alpha coefficients indicated the reliability of the resulting scale (overall: 0.89, factor 1: 0.89, factor 2: 0.78), and confirmatory factor analysis and testing supported its validity, showing good model fit (goodness of fit index: 0.984, root mean square residual: 0.062) and satisfactory composite reliability (scale: 0.93, factor 1: 0.90, factor 2: 0.81) and average variance extracted (all ≥0.5). The Japanese version of the ISS for Couples with Young Children will be useful for investigating sexual satisfaction, which is essential to marital stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
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13 pages, 259 KiB  
Article
Mass Media Exposure and Safer Sex Negotiation among Women in Sexual Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data
by Richard Gyan Aboagye, Bright Opoku Ahinkorah, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Collins Adu, John Elvis Hagan, Jr., Hubert Amu and Sanni Yaya
Behav. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 63; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs11050063 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3029
Abstract
(1) Background: Improving sexual autonomy among women in sexual unions comes with various benefits, including the reduction of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. We examined the relationship between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (2) Methods: [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Improving sexual autonomy among women in sexual unions comes with various benefits, including the reduction of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. We examined the relationship between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (2) Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of 29 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 224,647 women aged 15–49 were included in our analyses. We examined the association between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation using binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented using a crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in SSA was 71.6% (71.4–71.8). Women exposed to mass media had higher odds of negotiating for safer sex compared with those who had no exposure (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.86–2.02), and this persisted after controlling for covariates (maternal age, wealth index, maternal educational level, partner’s age, partner’s educational level, sex of household head, religion, place of residence, and marital status) (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.35–1.46). The disaggregated results showed higher odds of safer sex negotiation among women exposed to mass media in all the individual countries, except Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia. (4) Conclusions: The findings could inform policies (e.g., transformative mass media educational seminars) and interventions (e.g., face-to-face counselling; small group sensitization sessions) in SSA on the crucial role of mass media in increasing safer sex practice among women in sexual unions. To accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal five’s targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights, the study recommends that countries such as Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia need to intensify their efforts (e.g., regular sensitization campaigns) in increasing safer sex negotiation among women to counter power imbalances in sexual behaviour. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
11 pages, 260 KiB  
Article
Sexually Explicit Online Media Use and Sexual Behavior among Sexual Minority Men in Portugal
by Henrique Pereira and Graça Esgalhado
Behav. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 38; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs11030038 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2509
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to describe sexually explicit online media (SEOM) use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Portugal and to examine any associations between exposure to SEOM depicting unprotected anal intercourse and engaging in unprotected anal sex. Methods [...] Read more.
Introduction: This study aimed to describe sexually explicit online media (SEOM) use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Portugal and to examine any associations between exposure to SEOM depicting unprotected anal intercourse and engaging in unprotected anal sex. Methods: This study recruited 1577 MSM living in Portugal with Internet access, who ranged in age from 18 to 74 years old (Mage = 35.69, SDage = 11.16). Participants were recruited via websites, e-mail and social media. 67.3% (n = 1061) of sample participants self-identified as gay, and 32.7% (n = 516) claimed to be bisexual. The survey included four categories of questions/measurements, encompassing demographic information, SEOM use, explicit imagery of protected/unprotected anal sex and sexual behavior. Results: The study results suggest that Portuguese MSM frequently use SEOM and that they possess a stated preference for SEOM displaying unprotected anal sex. Furthermore, this study’s findings indicate that self-identified gay men more frequently engage in unprotected sex than self-identified bisexual men. Finally, the study revealed that a preference for viewing SEOM displaying unprotected sex and higher levels of arousal attributed to direct SEOM exposure are significant predictors of having receptive anal sex without condoms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
13 pages, 233 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Risk Behavior among School-Going Adolescents in Four Caribbean Countries
by Supa Pengpid and Karl Peltzer
Behav. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 166; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/bs10110166 - 29 Oct 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2832
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents in the Caribbean. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analyzed from 9143 adolescents (15 years = median age) that took part in the 2016 Dominican Republic, 2016 Suriname, 2017 [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviors among adolescents in the Caribbean. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analyzed from 9143 adolescents (15 years = median age) that took part in the 2016 Dominican Republic, 2016 Suriname, 2017 Jamaica, and 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). The results indicate that 41.4% of the students had ever had sex, ranging from 26.4% in Trinidad and Tobago to 48.1% in Jamaica. Among the sexually active, 58.8% had had ≥2 sexual partners; 58.6% had had an early sexual debut (≤14 years); 41.9% had not used birth control the last time they had sex; 28.4% had not used a condom the last time they had sex; and, of the whole sample, 31.9% had engaged in two or more (multiple) sexual risk behaviors, ranging from 16.5% in Trinidad and Tobago to 40.3% in Jamaica. In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis), psychological distress, frequent soft drink intake, participation in physical fighting, school truancy, older age, and male sex were associated with single and/or multiple sexual risk behaviors. A large number of adolescents in the Caribbean reported sexual risk behaviors, emphasizing the need for intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sex Desire, Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction)
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