Human sexuality is still an underexplored world, subjected to great taboos and controversies
over the decades, representing one of the most challenging areas of research and facing countless
political and social demands. In this sense, leading organizations such as the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2014) and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS, 2014) have
established sexual health and well-being as human rights and key goals to be achieved worldwide to
improve the health-related quality of life. The newmessage that is being carried out by these entities,
is that sexual health not only concerns reproductive issues, sexual problems, sexual violence, and
sexually transmitted infections, but also positive aspects related to intimate relationships, pleasure,
consenting sexual relationships, gender and sexual orientation variety, and sexual functioning
among other aspects

Carmita H. N. Abdo

Filippo Maria Nimbi

Joana Carvalho

Peer Briken

Frontiers in Psychology

English

PubMed

Repositório Aberto da Universidade do Porto

EDITORIALpublished: 25 August 2021doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.739708Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org 1 August 2021 | Volume 12 | Article 739708Edited and reviewed by:Emily K. Sandoz,University of Louisiana at Lafayette,United States*Correspondence:Filippo Maria Nimbifilipponimbi@hotmail.itSpecialty section:This article was submitted toHealth Psychology,a section of the journalFrontiers in PsychologyReceived: 11 July 2021Accepted: 27 July 2021Published: 25 August 2021Citation:Nimbi FM, Briken P, Abdo CHN andCarvalho J (2021) Editorial:Psychological Dimensions in HumanSexual Health and Behavior.Front. Psychol. 12:739708.doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.739708Editorial: Psychological Dimensionsin Human Sexual Health and BehaviorFilippo Maria Nimbi 1*, Peer Briken 2, Carmita H. N. Abdo 3 and Joana Carvalho 41Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy, 2 Institute for SexResearch, Sexual Medicine, and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,3Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 4CPUP: Center for Psychology ofPorto University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Porto University, Porto, PortugalKeywords: sexuality, psychological, psychology, sexual health, clinical psychosexologyEditorial on the Research TopicPsychological Dimensions in Human Sexual Health and BehaviorHuman sexuality is still an underexplored world, subjected to great taboos and controversiesover the decades, representing one of the most challenging areas of research and facing countlesspolitical and social demands. In this sense, leading organizations such as the World HealthOrganization (WHO, 2014) and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS, 2014) haveestablished sexual health and well-being as human rights and key goals to be achieved worldwide toimprove the health-related quality of life. The newmessage that is being carried out by these entities,is that sexual health not only concerns reproductive issues, sexual problems, sexual violence, andsexually transmitted infections, but also positive aspects related to intimate relationships, pleasure,consenting sexual relationships, gender and sexual orientation variety, and sexual functioningamong other aspects.The current special issue on “Psychological Dimensions in Human Sexual Health and Behavior”represents an important step toward a broader biopsychosocial understanding of human sexuality(Berry and Berry, 2013). After a major focus on organic factors underpinning sexual difficultiesand behavior, researchers have recognized the need of targeting the psychological factors, and theinterplaying role between organic, psychological, and social aspects affecting sexual health andwell-being (Assalian, 2013; Brotto et al., 2016).The psychological dimensions are being considered as central elements in the internationalguidelines for clinical intervention in sexual difficulties and dysfunctions, sexual health promotionprograms, and sexual education (DeRogatis, 2008; Althof et al., 2012; Bitzer et al., 2013; Fugl-Meyer et al., 2013; Laan et al., 2013; McMahon et al., 2013; Mulhall et al., 2013; WHO, 2018).These psychological dimensions have been framed within conceptualizing models of human sexualresponse, often including cognitions, emotions, personality traits, psychopathology, socio-cultural,and relational variables influencing sexual functioning and behavior.In this Research Topic, readers will find interesting and innovative contributes to theunderstanding of the role of some psychological components in peculiar aspects of sexualitysuch as cognitive processing and response to sexual stimuli, sexual satisfaction, and adherence toSexual Double Standards (SDS), coming out in LGBTQI+ population, polyamory, sexual violence,and trauma.Understanding the processing of sexual stimuli has become prominent in human sexualityresearch, since it may explain the arousal process and the cognitive mechanisms underlying thesexual response (Huberman, 2021). Erotic processing seems to be very relevant in our brain. Nováket al. reported the absence/inconsistency of spatial attention bias to sexual images and suggestedthat sexual stimuli are prioritized in memory and cognitive processes compared to other stimuli.Nimbi et al. Editorial: Psychological Dimensions in Human SexualityMoreover, literature has shown that cultural factors play aprimary role in sexual stimuli processing (Rupp and Wallen,2008). Recognizing the need of including cultural relevance inimaging studies, Cui et al. validated and shared a sexual stimulidatabase, useful for further research in eastern Asian culturalsettings, showing some interesting gender differences in sexualarousal, pleasantness, and sexual attractiveness ratings.How adherence to gender roles may affect psychology insexuality represent one of the main challenges in sex research.Álvarez-Muelas et al. showed that relationship satisfaction maybe the main predictor of sexual satisfaction and vary accordingto gender and SDS adherence. These results suggest the urgencyto investigate how people internalize attitudes toward the SDS infuture studies.The role of attitudes is also relevant when it comes toLGBTQI+ and Polyamory. For example, Rosati et al. extendedthe current knowledge on the role of coming out and minoritystress experiences among different generations of LGBQ+people. On average, older adults became self-aware and discloseat a later age than younger men, they seem to be more Catholicand came out more frequently to their Catholic community,with reactions ranging from total acceptance to open rejection.Focusing on women, Baiocco et al. reported that lesbian womenhad their coming out to both their parents more often thanbisexual ones, reporting lower levels of internalized sexual stigmaand more positive attitudes toward lesbian/bisexual identity.These new studies contribute to our understanding of coming outpeculiarities in varied forms of sexual and relational expressions.Moors et al. with their focus on polyamory, showed that asignificant percentage of Americans desire to engage and/or hasalready engaged in polyamory. Few sociodemographic variableswere related to this interest and given that relational intimacy isan important part of most people’s lives, understanding the variedways in which people cross in their intimacy is crucial for social,psychological, and sexological fields (Vaughan et al., 2019).A significant focus in this special issue has been given to sexualoffenders and victims. This is still a relevant topic under differentperspectives. International reports (UNICEF, 2017; WHO, 2021)draw an alarming figure with respect to the rate of abuse inminors and adults, on the need to find more effective preventionstrategies and programs to support victims, as well as themanagement and treatment of offenders. In this context, Barrosoet al. focus on specific kind of abuse such as the study onsexting in adolescence in terms of emotional and behavioralproblems, potential markers of psychopathy, childhood traumaand maltreatment, and different forms of aggression. Thecriminal responsibility of sexual offenders with paraphilicdisorders is also a current challenge. Dobbrunz et al. presentedan assessment following a two-stage method for the severityof a paraphilic disorder and the criteria for/against diminishedcapacity according to the German legal system, giving ground toan empirically based assessment of criminal responsibility.From the victims’ side, the psychological factors that mayimprove/worsen the outcome of traumatic conditions such aschild sexual abuse are of extreme interest to offer tailored supportweighting to the individual resources/weaknesses (Daigneaultet al., 2007). Ensink et al. stress the attention on the possibleinteraction between sexual abuse history and attachmentsecurity, showing that sexually abused children with insecureattachment seem to bemore at risk for post-traumatic symptoms.Also, in later stages of life, sexual traumas can have profoundconsequences on quality of life and sexual relationships. Almåsand Pirelli Benestad give specific directions for psychologicaltreatments integrating different clinical approaches, highlightinghow traumatized people need particular attention to safety,respect, and acceptance.The journey to understand sexuality is still long and tortuous,but this special issue represents a small significant step in thisdirection. Enjoy the reading.AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSFMN wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors havereviewed, discussed and accept the final version.REFERENCESAlthof, S. E., Rosen, R. C., Perelman, M. A., and Rubio-Aurioles, E. (2012).Standard operating procedures for taking a sexualHistoryjsm_2823. J. Sex Med.10, 26–35. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02823.xAssalian, P. (2013). Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual functionand dysfunction. Arab J. Urol. 11, 217–221. doi: 10.1016/j.aju.2013.07.007Berry, M. D., and Berry, P. D. (2013). Contemporary treatment of sexualdysfunction: reexamining the biopsychosocial model. J. Sex. Med. 10,2627–2643. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12273Bitzer, J., Giraldi, A., and Pfaus, J. (2013). Sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desiredisorder in women. Introduction and overview. standard operating procedure(SOP Part 1). J. Sex. Med. 10, 36–49. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02818.xBrotto, L., Atallah, S., Johnson-Agbakwu, C., Rosenbaum, T., Abdo, C., Byers, E.S., et al. (2016). Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual functionand dysfunction. J. Sex. Med. 13, 538–571. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.019Daigneault, I., Hébert, M., and Tourigny, M. (2007). Personal and interpersonalcharacteristics related to resilient developmental pathways of sexuallyabused adolescents. Child Adolesc. Psychiatr. Clin. N. Am. 16, 415–434.doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2006.11.002DeRogatis, L. R. (2008). Assessment of sexual function/dysfunction via patientreported outcomes. Int. J. Impot. Res. 20, 35–44. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901591Fugl-Meyer, K. S., Bohm-Starke, N., Petersen, C. D., Fugl-Meyer, A., Parish, S.,and Giraldi, A. (2013). Standard operating procedures for female genital sexualpain. J. Sex. Med. 10, 83–93. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02867.xHuberman, J. S. (2021). Conceptualizing neural responses to sexual stimuli. Arch.Sex. Behav. doi: 10.1007/s10508-021-02007-7. [Epub ahead of print].Laan, E., Rellini, A. H., and Barnes, T. (2013). Standard operating procedures forfemale orgasmic disorder: consensus of the International Society for SexualMedicine. J. Sex. Med. 10, 74–82. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02880.xMcMahon, C. G., Jannini, E., Waldinger, M., and Rowland, D. (2013). Standardoperating procedures in the disorders of orgasm and ejaculation. J. Sex. Med.10, 204–229. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02824.xMulhall, J. P., Bivalacqua, T. J., and Becher, E. F. (2013). Standard operatingprocedure for the preservation of erectile function outcomes after radicalprostatectomy. J. Sex. Med. 10, 195–203. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02885.xRupp, H. A., and Wallen, K. (2008). Sex differences in response tovisual sexual stimuli: a review. Arch. Sex. Behav. 37, 206–218.doi: 10.1007/s10508-007-9217-9Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org 2 August 2021 | Volume 12 | Article 739708Nimbi et al. Editorial: Psychological Dimensions in Human SexualityUNICEF (2017). A Familiar Face. Violence in the Lives of Children and Adolescents.Available online at: https://data.unicef.org/resources/a-familiar-face/ (accessedJune 25, 2021)Vaughan, M. D., Jones, P., Taylor, B. A., and Roush, J. (2019). Healthcareexperiences and needs of consensually non-monogamous people: results froma focus group study. J. Sex. Med. 16, 42–51. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.11.006WAS (2014). Declaration of Sexual Rights. Available online at: https://worldsexualhealth.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Declaration-of-Sexual-Rights-2014-plain-text.pdf (accessed June 25, 2021).WHO (2014). Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Global Development,Health, and Human Rights Priority. Available online at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-a-global-development-health-and-human-rights-priority (accessed June 25, 2021).WHO (2018). International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. AnEvidence-Informed Approach. Available online at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/9789231002595 (accessed June 25, 2021).WHO (2021). Violence Against Women. Available online at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women (accessed June 25,2021).Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in theabsence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as apotential conflict of interest.Publisher’s Note: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authorsand do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those ofthe publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated inthis article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed orendorsed by the publisher.Copyright © 2021 Nimbi, Briken, Abdo and Carvalho. This is an open-access articledistributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided theoriginal author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the originalpublication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice.No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with theseterms.Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org 3 August 2021 | Volume 12 | Article 739708

Editorial: psychological dimensions in human sexual health and behavior

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