Cognitions of child sexual abusers

The role of cognition in child sexual abuse is an important, yet virtually ignored area of inquiry. Data from the role construct repertory grid technique (rep grid; Kelly, 1955) were collected from 10 child sexual abusers and 10 “sexually normal” individuals in an attempt to replicate a study by Howells (1979) on child molesters’ thoughts about their victims and other people. Replicated were the findings concerning the tendency of the combined offender groups to think of females, relative to males, in sexual and physical appearance terms. More importantly, however, tendency of child molesters to use more egoistic constructs than non‐sex offenders was not replicated. Brief discussion of the failure to find significant between‐group differences is presented.     

Some correlates of women's childhood sexual experiences: A retrospective study

Relatively few empirical studies have addressed long‐range effects of childhood sexual experiences. This study examined the relationships of various childhood sexual experiences to adult functioning in five areas: (a) family relations, (b) depression, (c) marital satisfaction, (d) sexual satisfaction, and (e) self‐esteem. A retrospective survey was conducted with a sample of 501 predominantly middle‐class women. No clinical or offender populations were used. Five standardized scales were used as dependent variables. On none of the five variables were the scores of women with childhood sexual experiences significantly different from those of women with no childhood sexual experiences. However, the interactions of negative experiences, such as the use of force and abusive behavior, with the type of partner, such as a parent or other relative, were significantly associated with adult functioning. Some of the findings challenge commonly held beliefs and have far‐reaching implications for the helping professions and others who study human sexuality.     

Using Relationship Education Programs with Same-Sex Couples: A Preliminary Evaluation of Program Utility and Needed Modifications

Same-sex couples represent a group likely to benefit from relationship education, given the many unique challenges they face. However, it is unclear whether existing programs, predominantly designed for married heterosexual couples, are appropriate for use with same-sex couples. In this article we highlight the need for quality relationship education programs for same-sex couples and review the literature to identify unique needs of same-sex couples that may not be met by existing programs. We then describe a small survey of couple therapists and researchers conducted to provide preliminary information about whether same-sex couples are perceived to benefit from existing relationship education programs and whether modifications to program content are needed. Twenty respondents indicated that a core set of relationship education components were useful when working with same-sex couples, although the presentation of these components generally required modifications to remove heterosexist bias and to improve applicability to same-sex couples. In addition, several novel program foci were suggested (e.g., stigma management). Implications for the design and delivery of relationship education to same-sex couples are discussed.     

Music's Dual Influence on Dyadic Behaviors

The current study tested a mechanism through which music serves as a model of intimate relationship behaviors for those from noncontinuously intact family structures. The current study theorized that music would both mediate and moderate the relationship between family structure and risky sexual behaviors. Participants included 357 emerging adults who came from married, divorced, reconstituted, and never-married households. Results of hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that sexual lyrical content serves as a moderator between parental marital status and sexual behaviors of participants from noncontinuously intact homes, supporting the notion that those from noncontinuously intact homes seek models of intimate relationship behaviors outside of their family unit. This was found especially for age at first date, number of dating partners, and number of sexual partners for those from reconstituted and never-married households. A Test of Joint Significance confirmed the mediational influence of music in that sexual lyrical content in music influenced the sexual attitudes of participants, which, in turn, influenced their sexual behaviors.     

Psychometrics of the students´ attitudes towards addressing sexual health scale for students in social work

Previous research regarding social work related to sexual health and sexuality shows the importance of competence in this field for social workers and therefore is a need to explore students´ attitudes, knowledge and view on working with sexual health in their future profession. This project aims to psychometrically test the questionnaire Students’ Attitudes towards Addressing Sexual Health (SA-SH) for students in social work. The results show good content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and intra-rater reliability for the SA-SH for students in social work (response rate of 91%, 242 students).

The SA-SH can therefore be recommended to be used to measure attitudes, believed competence, and knowledge regarding sexual health among social work students, and to follow up educational interventions.     

‘Upholding the Banner of Islam’: British Converts to Islam and the Liverpool Muslim Institute,c.1887–1908

Much has been written in recent years about the life of William Henry Abdullah Quilliam, late-Victorian propagator of Islam in Britain and founder of the Liverpool Muslim Institute (LMI). However, little attention has been given to Quilliam's fellow British Muslim converts, who constituted Britain's first indigenous Muslim community. This article briefly looks at the LMI as a missionary organisation. It then quantifies and examines the socio-demographics and post-conversion lives of the British Muslim community. It argues that individual commitment to both the LMI and Islam was affected by discrimination and misunderstanding of Muslims and their faith in society. However, by considering the fate of the Muslims following the LMI's demise, it is shown that a core of resolute converts held fast to their beliefs and played an important role in the consolidation of Islam in early twentieth-century Britain.     

The State of the Union: Sexual Health Disparities in a National Sample of US College Students

Abstract

Objective: To examine sexual health disparities between blacks and whites in a national sample of US college students. Participants and Method Summary: Analyses utilized secondary data from 44,165 nonmarried undergraduates (aged 18–24; M = 20.1) responding to the Spring 2007 American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment; 64% were female and 94.7% were white. Results: Whites reported more experience in oral and anal sex, were less likely to use condoms for oral, anal, and vaginal sex, and less likely to have been tested for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) compared with blacks. However, blacks reported more sex partners, lower use of hormonal contraceptives, and higher rates of adverse sexual health outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Sexual behaviors and outcomes also varied across gender. Conclusions: This study highlights a need to increase access to hormonal contraceptives and early STI screening/treatment among blacks, improve HIV testing among whites, and increase condom use promotion for all students.     

Proceedings of the Fifty-Ninth Annual Meeting of the American College Health Association April 21–24, Boston,Massachusetts

Abstract

Using a lively classroom activity and a sense of humor is helpful in conveying a serious message about responsible sexual behavior to college students. The activity described takes only 1 hour, requires simple and easily obtainable equipment, and generates animated discussions. Students learn to feel more comfortable about using condoms after demonstrations of the strength and flexibility of these increasingly available items.     

Implications for Sexual Assault Prevention: College Students as Prosocial Bystanders

Abstract

Prosocial bystander interventions are promising approaches to sexual assault prevention on college campuses. Objective: To assess bystander attitudes among undergraduate students at a northeastern university. Participants: A convenience sample of 188 students from 4 undergraduate classes was surveyed during regularly scheduled class sessions. Methods: Participants completed a short survey on bystander efficacy, readiness to change, and barriers to intervention prior to the start of class. Results: The majority of students were not involved in activities or programs focused on sexual assault prevention. Although students agreed that violence could be prevented, they perceived many barriers to their own participation in intervention. Conclusions: There is a need for gender-targeted prevention programming that introduces the idea of prosocial bystander intervention, with a focus on increasing self-efficacy and lowering barriers.