Kristen P. Mark

Boredom is a common experience in long-term relationships that influences well-being (Aron, Norman, et al., 2000; Tsapelas et al., 2009), and is related to infidelity (Lewandowski & Ackerman, 2006)...

The experience of sexual trauma is common, especially for women. One way to mitigate the adverse social and behavioral health outcomes associated with sexual trauma is through the provision of social support. However, before social support can be provided, there is a need for the survivor to disclose to close others, including romantic partners. This study aimed to understand how women with a history of sexual trauma navigate disclosing these experiences with a current intimate partner. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 women with a history of sexual trauma who described themselves as being in a healthy relationship at the time of interview. Interview transcripts were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying five overarching themes, including (a) guarding privacy ownership, (b) establishing communication boundaries, (c) utilizing an external impetus, (d) minimizing re-traumatization, and (e) managing the tension between the need for privacy and disclosure. The results provide a clearer understanding as to how women navigate disclosing very private and sensitive information concerning their experiences with sexual trauma communication in a healthy relationship. Future research can build upon these findings by examining additional intersections of experience and current policies and educational efforts can look toward this body of research to see clear evidence of the need for destigmatization to address the prevalence of shame in women’s stories. Our findings encourage clinicians to learn from the tactics employed by survivors to develop strategies for their clients and for future researchers to consider the complexity of disclosure to intimate partners. There are risks involved with disclosure and a societal need to address the shame women feel about their sexual trauma experiences as they seek to develop and maintain healthy intimate relationships beyond the experience of sexual trauma.

Sexual Health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality that goes beyond the absence of disease, dysf...

Sexual function is crucially important to overall health, including for people of all racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities. As such, measurement scales for sexual function that include multiple marginalized communities need to be developed and evaluated. This study aimed to adapt the Female Sexual Function Index to enhance its relevance and applicability with more diverse populations. The resulting Inclusive Sexual Function Index (ISFI) was then validated with a racially diverse LGBTQIA+ sample. Participants (N = 1,947) who identified as having one or a combination of marginalized identities (specifically, racial/ethnic, gender, and/or sexual identities) were recruited using Prolific. Internal consistency, convergent validity, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were assessed. Reliability and validity for an 18-item ISFI were established. EFA indicated a five-factor solution with subscales in sexual interest, physical arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and pain/discomfort. Valid scales that are inclusive of diverse racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual identities allow for more accurate assessment and treatment of sexual health concerns. The ISFI is an inclusive and psychometrically sound tool to assess core dimensions of sexual function in both clinical and research contexts.

Background: Research has shown that negative sexual attitudes are associated with lower levels of sexual functioning among men and women, however, little is known about how attitudes about mothers as sexual beings are associated with sexual functioning for parents. Aim: The aim of the current study was to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings (ATMSB) were associated with sexual functioning for women and partners of women among parents with young children. Methods: Cross-sectional retrospective data were collected online via Qualtrics Panels from 475 women and men (partnered to women) who reported having their first child within the last 5 years. Outcomes: The Revised Female Sexual Function Index and revised Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite–Short Form were used to measure sexual function in women and men, respectively. Results: Results indicated that after controlling for age and relationship length, more positive ATMSB predicted higher levels of sexual functioning (and multiple domains of functioning) for men and women. Clinical Implications: These findings indicate that sexual functioning, especially in parents, is linked to the attitudes held toward seeing mothers as inherently sexual (or not). Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to examine how attitudes toward mothers as sexual beings can impact sexual functioning, though the cis heterosexual mostly white sample is a notable limitation. Conclusion: ATMSB may need to be examined and challenged in the context of treating sexual dysfunction during this transitional period for mothers and those partnered to mothers.

Background: There has been a great deal of public speculation regarding a surge in erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men despite data consistently indicating that the ED prevalence rates increase with age. Aim: In this study we sought to assess the prevalence and risk of experiencing ED in a nationally representative sample of men in the United States across various social groups, describe comorbidities, and examine barriers to treatment. Methods: Data from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing were analyzed by utilizing the Ipsos KnowledgePanel®, a probability-based online panel, for the purpose of obtaining US nationally representative data of adults aged 18 years and older. The analytic sample consisted of 1822 cisgender men ranging in age from 18 to 87 years, with a mean age of 47.5 years. Outcomes: Study outcomes were ED as measured by the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), as well as self-reported diagnosis by a medical professional, comorbidities with other health issues, medications taken for ED, and barriers to treatment. Results: The ED prevalence rate based on IIEF-5 scores was 24.2%. Prevalence increased with age: 52.2% of the 75+ age group, and 48.0% of the 65-74 age group meeting diagnostic criteria for ED. Diagnostic criteria were met for more participants in the 18-24 age group (17.9%) than the 25-34 (13.3%) or 35-44 (12.7%) age groups, but less than the 45-54 (25.3%) or 55-64 (33.9%) age groups. Only 7.7% (n = 141) of the sample reported having been diagnosed by a provider (n = 4 in 25-34, n = 6 in 35-44, n = 13 in 45-54, n = 39 in 55-64, n = 44 in 65-74, and n = 34 in ≥75–year olds), indicating a gap in access to treatment. The most common reason selected for not accessing care for ED concerns was a lack of need to see a provider in the past year. Clinical Implications: The discrepancy between ED self-report and medical diagnosis is critical, given that ED can be an indication of underlying health risks. Strengths and Limitations: This study is the first nationally representative update to information regarding the prevalence of ED in almost 2 decades. Standard administration of the IIEF-5 is limited to participants who have had sex in the last 6 months, so these rates do not include those men with ED who have been avoiding penetrative sex for a significant time. Conclusion: The results indicate that ED prevalence and severity remain highest in older age groups and that most individuals who meet criteria for ED have not sought medical care related to this concern.