Condoms are more effective when applied by males: a study of young black males in the United States

PurposeTo determine, among a sample of young black male (YBM), whether female application of male condoms for penile–vaginal intercourse would be associated with higher or lower rates of breakage or slippage. A secondary aim was to investigate if higher rates of breakage or slippage were associated with increased odds of acquiring chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 412 YBM, aged 15 to 23 years, was conducted in three US cities located in the Southern United States.ResultsAmong YBM reporting frequent female application of condoms, 43.5% reported one or more instance of breakage or slippage, compared with those reporting less frequent female application (27.2%, P = .003). Among YBM reporting one or more event of breakage or slippage, 25.4% tested positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. In contrast, among those not reporting breakage or slippage, 17.2% tested positive (P = .047).ConclusionsFindings suggest that educational and behavioral interventions should seek to improve young women's skills relative to condom application and use. Further studies could also investigate whether intervention efforts should encourage some YBM to be responsible for their own condom application

Predicting sexual problems in women: The relevance of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition

This is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be obtained from the link below.Data from a non-clinical sample of 540 heterosexual women were used to examine the relationships between scores on the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) and ratings of current sexual problems, lifetime arousal difficulty, lifetime orgasm difficulty, and lifetime problems with low sexual interest. Multiple regression analyses also included several demographic/background variables as predictors: age, full-time employment, completed college, children in household, married, health ratings, importance of sex, and whether the woman was in a sexual relationship. The strongest statistical predictors of both current and lifetime sexual problems were the SESII-W inhibition factors Arousal Contingency and Concerns about Sexual Function. Demographic factors did not feature largely in any of the models predicting sexual problems even when statistically significant relationships were found. If future research supports the predictive utility of the SESII-W in identifying women who are more likely to experience sexual difficulties, these scales may be used as prognostic factors in treatment studies.This study was funded, in part, by a grant from the Lilly Centre for Women's Health

Sexual compulsivity in heterosexual married adults: the role of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in individuals not considered “high-risk”

In this study, we explored sexual compulsivity in a non-clinical, non-student, convenience sample of 1,301 heterosexual, married adults (240 women, 1,061 men). To situate our sample within the body of research on sexual compulsivity, we compared current participants’ scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) with those reported in other studies conducted over the last decade. Scores for the current sample were largely similar to those found in other studies. We also investigated whether sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, constructs in the dual control model of sexual response, would be useful in explaining differences in men's and women's sexual compulsivity. Higher Arousability scores (a subscale of sexual excitation) and lower Relationship Importance scores (a subscale of sexual inhibition) were associated with higher levels of sexual compulsivity for both men and women. Gender moderated the association between Inhibitory Cognitions (a subscale of sexual inhibition) and sexual compulsivity; greater inhibition was associated with higher sexual compulsivity for men, but not for women. The importance of assessing SCS in samples not considered “high risk” and the utility of applying a sexual inhibition/excitation framework to understanding sexual compulsivity are discusse

A qualitative exploration of factors that affect sexual desire among men aged 30 to 65 in long-term relationships

Few empirical studies have explored men’s experiences of sexual desire, particularly in the context of long-term relationships. The objective of the current study was to investigate the factors that elicit and inhibit men’s sexual desire. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 men between the ages of 30 and 65 (average age 42.83 years) currently in long-term heterosexual relationships (average duration 13 years 4 months). Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology from the interpretivist perspective. A total of 14 themes and 23 subthemes were identified to capture men’s descriptions of eliciting and inhibiting factors of their sexual desire. The six most integral themes are presented in the current article, all of which reflect the perspectives of the majority of participants, regardless of age or relationship duration, specifically (a) feeling desired, (b) exciting and unexpected sexual encounters, (c) intimate communication, (d) rejection, (e) physical ailments and negative health characteristics, and (f) lack of emotional connection with partner. The findings suggest that men’s sexual desire may be more complex and relational than previous research suggests. Implications for researchers and therapists are discussed

Good gets better? Examining the impact of prescribed sexual activity on long-term heterosexually configured couples’ sexual and relationship satisfaction

Although correlates and predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction are frequently investigated, few studies have systematically examined approaches that are designed to enhance such endpoints among couples. This study evaluated the impact of a six- to eight-week intervention consisting of prescribed sexual activity with and without a sex toy among a community sample of 49 couples in heterosexual relationships. While quantitative analyses did not reveal statistically significant differences among standardized outcome measures, post hoc ceiling effects were noted, and open-ended responses analyzed using thematic analysis indicated the majority of men (75.5%) and women (79.5%) perceived that their sexual relationship satisfaction had improved as a result of participating in the intervention. Seven themes were developed to describe the ways that satisfaction increased over the course of the study: (1) introducing something fun and novel; (2) giving and receiving pleasure; (3) relating and communicating; (4) making time and space in one's relationship for sex and pleasure; (5) increasing emotional closeness; (6) increasing women's comfort with sex; and (7) validating strengths and barriers within the relationship. The findings of this study suggest specific relationship-enhancing effects of prescribed sexual activity for couples

Sexual excitation/sexual inhibition inventory (SESII-W/M) : Adaptation and validation within a portuguese sample of men and women

The SESII-W/M is a self-report measure assessing factors that inhibit and enhance sexual arousal in men and women. The goal of this study was to adapt and validate it in a sample of Portuguese men and women. A total of 1,723 heterosexual men and women participated through a web survey, with ages ranging from 18 to 72 years old (M  = 36.05, SD =  11.93). The levels of internal consistency were considered satisfactory in the first four factors, but not in Setting and Dyadic Elements of the Sexual Interaction. Confirmatory factor analysis partially supported the six-factor, 30-item model, as factor loadings and squared multiple correlations pointed to problems with items mainly loading on those two factors. General fit indices were lower than the ones estimated by Milhausen, Graham, Sanders, Yarber, and Maitland (2010). Psychometric sensitivity and construct validity were adequate and gender differences were consistent with the original study. The six-factor, 30-item model was retained, but changes to the factors Setting and Dyadic Elements of the Sexual Interaction, and their corresponding items, were recommended in order to strengthen the measure