Implications of Sex Guilt: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of the literature examining the outcomes related to feelings of sex guilt was conducted. The analysis demonstrates gendered differences in the experience of sex guilt and myriad attitudinal and behavioral impacts. Specifically, men report lower levels of sex guilt, r?=??.227 than do women and implications of sex guilt experience are vast, including its association with engagement in less sexual activity, r?=??.337, less favorable attitudes toward sex and lessened use of contraceptives, r?=??.276, reduced reports of sexual arousal in response to an explicitly sexual media content, r?=??.308, less positive emotional response to sexually explicit media content, r?=??.367, reduced level of sexual information accuracy, r?=??.324, and less positive attitudes toward sexual behavior, r?=??404. Sex guilt is positively related to level of religiosity/religious behavior, r?=?.439. The findings suggest that sex guilt provides a consistent set of responses to sexual information and media content as well as a motivational basis for behavior. These outcomes are further explicated and discussed.     

Anal Cancer Screening: Barriers and Facilitators Among Ethnically Diverse Gay,Bisexual, Transgender,and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men

ABSTRACT

Knowledge and beliefs about anal cancer screening among gay and other men who have sex with men remains unclear, despite data that suggests significant risk for intra-anal HPV-related cancers. Nevertheless, community-based screening activities may be most effective when stakeholder perspectives are addressed. We conducted four focus groups among 16 male and 3 female health care advocates experienced in working with diverse gay and other men who have sex with men in Los Angeles. Barriers to anal cancer screening included lack of awareness, stigma, psychological and physical discomfort, the anus as hidden/private, primary concern with HIV, and men's lack of healthcare seeking. Facilitators were community screening sites, novel strategies such as home testing, health care system changes and targeted educational campaigns, which may increase anal cancer awareness and screening among ethnically diverse men who have sex with men.     

Casual Sex and Women

Abstract

Our objectives were to delineate important measurement issues involved in the study of casual sex and to determine women's motivations for engaging or not engaging in casual sex. Four different measures of casual sex were used with a Canadian university sample of 230 women. Thirteen percent reported having experienced sexual intercourse with someone they had just met and 36% had experienced intercourse with someone with whom they were not in a committed relationship. More had experienced non-coital casual sex. Sexual health concerns were the strongest deterrents to engaging in casual sex. Sexual pleasure was given as the most appealing aspect of casual sex. Researchers need to be aware of the differing interpretations of casual sex when measuring this type of sexual behavior.     

Adult and Adolescent Female Sex Offenders

Abstract

Female sex offenders (N = 18) were compared with male sex offenders (N = 332) and with females who were not sex offender (N = 215) on various experiences in their personal histories. Female sex offenders who were victims of sexual abuse were compared to female sex offenders who were not. The present study is part of a comprehen sive, seven-year research project described elsewhere (Miccio-Fonseca 1995, 1996). The project dealt with comparative experiences and char acteristics of adult and adolescent sex offenders, victims, and thei families. The groups in the present study were analyzed with regard to an array of variables, including psychological, medical, gynecological urological, drug, law enforcement, and homicidal and suicidal histories Other variables studied were sexual difficulties and dysfunctions, sexu al health, and life stressors.

Female and male sex offenders differed significantly on numerou psychological, life-stressor, and sexual variables. Female sex offender differed significantly from females who were not sex offenders on the same sets of variables, and they were significantly younger. Implica tions for clinical practice with this population are discussed.     

Reactions of Inner-City Boys and Their Mothers to Research Interviews About Sex

Abstract

Our understanding of child sexuality is very unsatisfactory, in part because research in this area has progressed slowly due to concerns of parents, institutional review boards, school authorities, granting and community agents. Some members of these groups worry that this line of inquiry will have adverse consequences, such as causing distress in child participants or stimulating them to engage in sexual activities. The current study constitutes an exploratory investigation of the reactions of 98 boys (7-13 years) and their 84 mothers after completing individual interviews as part of a larger HIV-related study on the development of sexual behaviors. Most boys reported feeling positively about their participation, were not upset by any aspects of their participation, and indicated willingness to participate again. Most mothers had similar positive reactions. However, considerable reticence was noted on behalf of some boys in their responses to sexual knowledge questions as compared to other portions of the interview. This reticence appeared attributable primarily to limited sexual vocabulary knowledge, and learned inhibitions regarding sex talk with adults. Further refinement of methodologies appropriate for interviewing children about sex is needed.     

Working with Parents to Reduce Juvenile Sex Offender Recidivism

SUMMARY

Although there is very little research in the area of including parents in juvenile sex offender treatment, one of the factors that might be worth exploring is how the parental relationship may aid in successful relapse prevention. Since the family environment is a potential risk factor for adolescent sex offenders, integration of relapse prevention into daily family life may be a significant part of these youths' success or failure in the community. This article focuses on the concept of including parents in juvenile sex offender treatment. Issues addressed include what treatment providers can do to involve parents in relapse prevention, treatment providers' misconceptions about the inclusion of parents in treatment, a rationale for including parents in treatment, and research regarding different parenting styles.     

From Exploitation to Industry: Definitions,Risks, and Consequences of Domestic Sexual Exploitation and Sex Work Among Women and Girls

In the last 15 years, terms such as prostitution, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, modern-day slavery, and sex work have elicited much confusion and debate as to their definitions. Consequently several challenges have emerged for both law enforcement in the prosecution of criminals and practitioners in service provision. This article reviews the state of the literature with regard to domestic, sexual exploitation among women and girls in the United States and seeks to (1) provide definitions and describe the complexity of all terms relating to domestic sexual exploitation of women and girls in the United States, (2) explore available national prevalence data according to the definitions provided, and (3) review the evidence of mental health, social, and structural risk factors at the micro-, mezzo-, and macrolevels.     

Transactional Sex: Supply and Demand Among European Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Context of Local Laws

Objectives: Transactional sex (TS) is generally defined as the trading of sex for material goods. Cast within the broader context of prostitution laws, we examined variations in the sociodemographic profile of men who have sex with men engaging in TS by payment direction (buying/selling). Methods: The data were collected as part of the 38-country European Men who have sex with men Internet Survey project, conducted in 2010. Results: About 12% of respondents reported engaging in TS in the past year. TS was associated with laws, age, education, employment, and residence. Conclusions: The striking sociodemographic differences in TS by payment direction suggest a power differential and a leading role of socioeconomic factors in TS.     

Eliciting Street-Based Sex Worker Perspectives to Inform Prostitution Policy Development

Using a visual method developed with input from program participants, this study reports on data collected from people attending a Baltimore drop-in center for women in street-based sex work (N = 17). Respondents created collages expressing future hopes and aspirations, which they discussed in focus groups and interviews. Respondents focused on health, reunification with family, employment and housing. Although respondents’ easily visualized goals, they often seemed out of reach. Hurdles that they noted were largely due to poverty and lack of opportunities. Our findings highlight the negative impact of prostitution policy on women’s choices and their ability to achieve self-identified goals.     

Group Work Practice with Transgendered Male to Female Sex Workers

Abstract

Group work is frequently the method of choice for working with adolescents. This paper focuses on group work with transgend-ered youth who engage in sex work. Utilizing case examples, this paper provides an overview of the role that sex work plays in the lives of some transgendered youth and offers guidance for those interested in utilizing group work approaches with transgendered adolescents.     

Social and Psychological Barriers to Private Retirement Savings in Hong Kong

Using a phone survey conducted among Hong Kong workers, we examined the association of institutional, social, and psychological factors with engagement in both private retirement savings and the total amount of savings. Alarmingly, this study demonstrates that approximately 42% of Hong Kong workers do not save privately for their retirement. We found that age, education, number of children, support from spouse and friends, social regulation, perceived financial knowledge, and financial management capacity are associated with engagement in private retirement savings. Among those who saved, age, education, perceived financial knowledge, and financial management capacity are related to the amount of savings. Measures that could increase the social support for retirement savings as well as enhance their financial knowledge and management ability should be developed and implemented so that more workers engage in private retirement savings. A promising policy option for the Hong Kong government is to offer a tax incentive to promote additional savings for old-age income protection.     

The Relationship Among Population Size,Requests for Bareback Sex,and HIV Serostatus in Men Who Have Sex With Men Using the Internet to Meet Sexual Partners

Recent research has indicated the use of the Internet to meet sexual partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) is increasing. This medium also serves as a major source for social and sexual networking among MSM who live in more rural areas. In addition, data suggest the use of the Internet to initiate sexual relationships among this population may increase the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between self-reported HIV serostatus and requests for condomless bareback (BB) sex among a sample of Florida MSM (n = 483) using a popular Internet sexual networking site to meet sexual partners. Specifically, these variables were assessed in relation to population size among the site's seven geographic regions within the state. Findings indicated an overall statistically significant relationship among requests for BB sex and self-reported HIV serostatus. However, there was not a significant relationship among these variables and geographic region. Thus, although previous data have emphasized the importance of different HIV prevention strategies among rural versus urban MSM, there may not be major differences in HIV serostatus and requests for unsafe sexual practices among these men who use the Internet to meet sexual partners in comparison to MSM in more populated areas.     

Sex and gender: What do we know?

The study of sex and gender is concerned with documenting the existence of differences between the sexes and explaining why those differences exist. This paper first examines what we know about how women and men differ, focusing on differences in social roles, and in the abilities and traits associated with those roles. The paper then examines why women and men differ. In addressing this question, the roles of both biological and social influences are considered. Although there is reason to believe some sex differences in behavior and attitudes have a biological basis, the existence of historical and cross-cultural variation in gender role differentiation and stratification provides strong evidence that social influences play an important role in the determination of differences between the sexes. Both biological and social factors have influenced the division of labor by sex, and the division of labor provides the basis for gender stratification by affecting the degree to which each sex is able to acquire and control the valuable resources of a society. Reduction of gender inequality in contemporary societies therefore requires reduction of gender differentiation in the division of labor.     

Safer Sex and the Health Belief Model

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to build on the Health Belief Model (HBM) by adding predictors of late adolescent safer sex behavior: perceptions of peer norms for sexual behavior, and sexual attitudes that emerge from socialization. Sexually active, late adolescent college students (N = 154, 62.3% female; mean age 20.8 years, 76% European American) participated in the study. Predictors from the original HBM included perceived vulnerability, condom use self-efficacy, and attitudes about condoms. In addition, peer norms for condom use and sexual behavior, general sexual attitudes, and endorsement of the sexual double standard were included as predictors of safer sex behavior. Attitudes about condoms, perceived vulnerability, condom use self-efficacy, and the sexual double standard emerged as significant correlates of condom use. General sexual attitudes and the sexual double standard were significantly correlated with alcohol use before or during sex. With the addition of these variables, the regression models accounted for 28% of the variance in condom use, and 14% of the variance in alcohol use before or during sex.     

The Interaction of HIV Knowledge,Perceived Risk,and Sex Differences on Risky Sex

Objectives: Risky sexual behavior increases during college. HIV knowledge and risk perception have been inconsistent predictors of risky sex independently. Methods: This study tested the interaction between HIV knowledge, risk perception, and sex to predict risky sex in college students (N = 171; 52.0% female). Results: Women's HIV knowledge resulted in greater reports of risky sex when risk perception was low. Conversely, men's HIV knowledge translated into greater reports of risky sex when risk perception was high. Conclusions: Although preliminary, this study calls for nuanced models of risky sex and the inclusion of risk perception modules in HIV reduction programs.     

Adolescents' Need to Talk About Sex and Sexuality in an Urban Mental Health Setting

Summary

For many adults, adolescent sexuality is problematic. For adolescents, it may be problematic, powerfully alluring, or simply a part of becoming an adult. Either way, and irrespective of whether they have ever had sex, young persons seeking mental health counseling in an urban mental health clinic express a strong desire to talk about sex and sexuality. Significant gender and age differences are noted in desire to talk about sexuality and mediated by involvement in sexual risk behaviors. Having experienced forced sex is directly related to desire for counseling about sex and sexuality. The findings presented in this article compel clinicians to engage all adolescents in meaningful dialogue about sex and sexuality.     

Sex Composition of Children and Marital Disruption in India

Although it has been suggested that parents of sons are less likely than parents of daughters to divorce, few studies have explored this relationship in societies characterized by a strong preference for sons, where such an effect should be most pronounced. Using data from 116,498 once‐married female respondents to the 1992–1993 and 1998–1999 Indian National Family Health Surveys, we found that at lower parities, having at least one son is associated with a significantly lower risk of divorce or separation. Moreover, with few exceptions, the effect of children's sex composition on the risk of divorce holds for subgroups of Indian women across categories of education, religion, location (urban vs. rural), caste, cohort, and region.     

Entertainment Venue Visiting and Commercial Sex in China

ABSTRACT

Entertainment venues in China play an important role in the sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV epidemic. Most previous studies have focused on sex workers working in entertainment venues, but little is known about their clients. This study investigated the perceptions and behavior of the patrons visiting entertainment venues. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 male market vendors who visited entertainment venues at least once in the past 3 months in an eastern city in China. Information about their risky behavior, attitude toward commercial sex, and STD/HIV prevention approaches was collected. Saunas, karaoke bars, and massage centers are the most frequently visited entertainment venues. Seventy-three percent of study participants reported purchasing commercial sex at these entertainment venues. Participants expressed a very liberal attitude toward commercial sex. Seeking commercial sex was perceived as a characteristic of a male's nature. The perceived risks of STD/HIV infection do not deter participants from engaging in commercial sex. Commercial sex clients reported irregular condom use and a number of other misperceptions and improper practices toward preventing STD/HIV infection. Venue-based intervention is urgently needed to target the population. The sex workers themselves could potentially serve as “health educators” to communicate prevention information to their clients and encourage safer sex behavior.