bims-chumac 2021-04-04 papers

bims-chumac

Biomed News

on Context effects on human mate choice

Issue of 2021–04–04
eight papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

A Dyadic Perspective on Sexual Subjectivity and Romantic Relationship Functioning.
Sext Dissemination: Differences across Nations in Motivations and Associations.
Intimate Dynamics and Relationship Satisfaction among LGB Adolescents: The Role of Sexual Minority Oppression.
A preliminary investigation of a novel method to manipulate penis length to measure female sexual satisfaction: a single case experimental design.
Changes in Sexual Desire and Behaviors among UK Young Adults During Social Lockdown Due to COVID-19.
Bridewealth Marriage in the 21st Century: A Case Study from Rural Mozambique.
The Relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and Sexting Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults across 11 Countries.
Effect of vitamins on sexual function: A systematic review.

J Relatsh Res. 2019 ;pii: e22. [Epub ahead of print]10

A Dyadic Perspective on Sexual Subjectivity and Romantic Relationship Functioning.

Brittany Kohlberger, Valerie A Simon, Zenaida Rivera.

  Sexual subjectivity is a central feature of healthy sexuality that is believed to shape and be shaped by relationship experiences. However, no studies have examined sexual subjectivity within a dyadic context. The current study examined partner similarity in sexual subjectivity within 75 heterosexual couples and associations with sexual relationship functioning using actor-partner interdependence models. Within couples, partners' scores were significantly correlated on three of five elements of sexual subjectivity and showed similar mean levels on four of the five elements. Men's and women's sexual self-efficacy were positively associated with their own sexual communication. Other associations varied by gender. Men's sexual body esteem and entitlement to self-pleasure predicted their reports of sexual relationship functioning, and women's entitlement to pleasure from partners and sexual reflection predicted their reports of relationship functioning. Few partner effects were observed. Findings suggest that partners' sexual subjectivity is relevant for dyadic functioning in emerging adulthood. Longitudinal research is needed to examine how experiences within and across relationships contribute to the development of sexual self-concepts and sexual functioning.

Keywords:  emerging adulthood; romantic relationships; sexual communication; sexual satisfaction; sexual subjectivity

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1017/jrr.2019.18
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 02. pii: 2429. [Epub ahead of print]18(5):

Sext Dissemination: Differences across Nations in Motivations and Associations.

Elizabeth M Clancy, Bianca Klettke, Angela M Crossman, David J Hallford, Dominika Howard, John W Toumbourou.

  Sext dissemination presents policy and legislative challenges given its potential psychological, social, and legal harms. We report on a cross-national comparison of sext-image dissemination in a large sample of 1148 young adults aged 18-29 years (M = 22.54, SD = 2.50, 53.0% women, 47.0% men), either U.S. (53.8%) or Australian (46.2%) residents. The results indicate that 14% of young adults disseminated sexts, with no difference by gender or country. Over 50% of respondents indicated that the last time they received a disseminated sext, it was unexpected or unwelcome, with women twice as likely as men to receive unwelcome sexts. The most frequent motivations for sext dissemination were similar cross-nationally, relating to the attractiveness of the person depicted, as a joke, to gossip, because it was not a big deal, bragging, roasting or teasing, and to increase social status. Motivations of attractiveness, bragging, or social status were more commonly endorsed by men, while women endorsed reasons around gossip or roasting/teasing. Unique predictors of sext dissemination included U.S. residence, requesting sexts, receiving disseminated sexts, having one's own images disseminated, and more positive subjective norms to dissemination, and there was a country-gender interaction, where Australian women and U.S. men were more likely to disseminate sexts than then U.S. women or Australian men. The findings have implications for prevention programs seeking to address harmful online sexual interactions, including addressing respect, consent, and subjective norms supporting non-consensual dissemination.

Keywords:  cross-national; sext dissemination; sexting; technology-facilitated sexual abuse; young adult

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052429
Children (Basel). 2021 Mar 17. pii: 231. [Epub ahead of print]8(3):

Intimate Dynamics and Relationship Satisfaction among LGB Adolescents: The Role of Sexual Minority Oppression.

Henrique Pereira, Graça Esgalhado.

  Adolescent lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) romantic partners face the challenge of developing satisfactory relationships while managing stressors associated with being members of a stigmatized minority group due to their sexual minority status. The aims of this study were to explore and describe relationship dynamics among LGB adolescents that are in committed same-sex relationships in Portugal, to assess levels of satisfaction with their relationships, and to assess whether LGB oppression was associated with the likelihood of anticipating and experiencing problems within the relationship. A sample of 182 self-identified LGB adolescents (mean age = 17.89 years; SD = 1.99), completed an online survey consisting of various sociodemographic measures, a relationship dynamics questionnaire, a self-assessment of relationship satisfaction, and an adapted version of the Gay and Lesbian Oppressive Situations Inventory. Results show that participants were highly satisfied with their relationships, except those who were non-monogamous and less committed to their relationships. Participants showed moderate levels of LGB oppression situations, and, as demonstrated by the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, age (being older), having lower levels of commitment, and being exposed to higher levels of exclusion, rejection, and separation were strong predictors of lower levels of relationship satisfaction.

Keywords:  adolescence; intimate dynamics; relationship satisfaction; sexual minority oppression; young LGB couples

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/children8030231
BJU Int. 2021 Apr 01.

A preliminary investigation of a novel method to manipulate penis length to measure female sexual satisfaction: a single case experimental design.

David Veale, Aashay Vaidya, Andriani Papageorgiou, Melissa Foks, Simone Giona, John Hodsoll, Mark Freeston, Gordon Muir.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate a novel methodology and explore whether artificially reducing the depth of penetration during intercourse mattered to women.
DESIGN: A single case experimental design ("n of 1") in which a heterosexual couple act as their own control and the study is then replicated in subsequent couples.
PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five couples were assessed for eligibility. Twenty-nine couples without any sexual problems were randomised and 12 submitted sufficient data to analyse.
INTERVENTIONS: As a proxy for reducing penis length, we artificially reduced the depth of penetration by using different sizes of silicon rings around the base of the man's erect penis. Main outcome measures were provided by the female partner on a scale of 0-100: degree of (a) overall sexual pleasure; (b) sexual pleasure from intercourse alone and (c) emotional connection to her partner. She was also asked before the experiment began to rate the degree of positive or negative change that would be personally meaningful for her.
RESULTS: On average reducing the depth of penetration made a statistically significant 18% reduction of overall sexual pleasure with an average 15% reduction in length of the penis. The longer the erect penis, the less likely the rings had an impact on sexual pleasure. There was however a range of individual responses with a minority of women reporting that reducing the depth of penetration was more pleasurable on some occasions.
CONCLUSIONS: Size may matter in women in a healthy stable relationship when there is penile shortening. Because of the small number of couples and men with an apparently long penises, our results are preliminary, and we welcome replication in a larger sample with a more diverse range of penile lengths. Our results should not be misinterpreted as meaning that increasing penile length will increase sexual pleasure in women.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.15416
J Sex Res. 2021 Mar 29. 1-10

Changes in Sexual Desire and Behaviors among UK Young Adults During Social Lockdown Due to COVID-19.

Liam Wignall, Emma Portch, Mark McCormack, Rebecca Owens, Cory J Cascalheira, Janice Attard-Johnson, Terri Cole.

This study examined self-reported changes in young adults' sexual desire and behaviors during the most significant social restrictions imposed to deal with COVID-19. Drawing on a survey of 565 British adults aged 18-32 collected at the peak of social lockdown restrictions, we document an overall decrease in sexual behaviors consistent with abiding by social restrictions. We found that the levels of sexual desire reported by women (but not men) decreased compared with reports of pre-lockdown levels. Participants in serious relationships reported more increases in sexual activity than people who were single or dating casually, and there were significant differences according to gender and sexual orientation. The perceived impact of subjective wellbeing of people with high sociosexuality scores was disproportionately associated with social lockdown but there was no effect for general health. Thus, the impact on sexuality and general wellbeing should be considered by policymakers when considering future social restrictions related to COVID-19 or other public health emergencies.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1897067
J Marriage Fam. 2021 Apr;83(2): 409-427

Bridewealth Marriage in the 21st Century: A Case Study from Rural Mozambique.

Sophia Chae, Victor Agadjanian, Sarah R Hayford.

   Objective: This study examines trends over several decades in bridewealth marriage and analyzes the association of bridewealth with women's experiences in marriage in a rural sub-Saharan setting.
Background: Bridewealth - payments from the groom's to the bride's family as part of the marriage process - has long been a central element of kinship and marriage systems in patrilineal sub-Saharan Africa. This payment, which symbolizes the transfer of sexual and reproductive rights from the wife's to the husband's family, is grounded in a collectivist-oriented family system that closely ties women's status and value to their reproductive capacity.
Method: The study draws on population-based longitudinal survey data collected in 2006, 2009, and 2011 from 1,552 women in rural Mozambique. We use multivariable regression to investigate whether year of marriage predicts being in a bridewealth marriage and whether bridewealth status predicts marital dissolution, women's decision-making autonomy, women's work outside of subsistence agriculture, or modern contraceptive use.
Results: The proportion of marriages involving bridewealth payment has declined over time. While no difference by bridewealth status exists in women's autonomy levels or modern contraceptive use, women in bridewealth marriages are less likely to divorce over a five-year period and less likely to work outside of subsistence agriculture, net of other factors.
Conclusion: These findings reflect the complexity of a modernizing marriage system. With the decline of bridewealth marriage, its meaning has evolved, becoming increasingly indicative of individual wealth and status rather than family control.

Keywords:  bridewealth; divorce; employment; gender; marriage; sub-Saharan Africa

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12725
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 04. pii: 2526. [Epub ahead of print]18(5):

The Relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and Sexting Behaviors among Adolescents and Young Adults across 11 Countries.

Mara Morelli, Flavio Urbini, Dora Bianchi, Roberto Baiocco, Elena Cattelino, Fiorenzo Laghi, Piotr Sorokowski, Michal Misiak, Martyna Dziekan, Heather Hudson, Alexandra Marshall, Thanh Truc T Nguyen, Lauren Mark, Kamil Kopecky, René Szotkowski, Ezgi Toplu Demirtaş, Joris Van Ouytsel, Koen Ponnet, Michel Walrave, Tingshao Zhu, Ya Chen, Nan Zhao, Xiaoqian Liu, Alexander Voiskounsky, Nataliya Bogacheva, Maria Ioannou, John Synnott, Kalliopi Tzani-Pepelasi, Vimala Balakrishnan, Moses Okumu, Eusebius Small, Silviya Pavlova Nikolova, Michelle Drouin, Antonio Chirumbolo.

   BACKGROUND: Sexting is an increasingly common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults. Some studies have investigated the role of personality traits in different sexting behaviors within mainstream personality taxonomies like Big Five and HEXACO. However, very few studies have investigated the role of maladaptive personality factors in sexting. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and experimental (i.e., sharing own sexts), risky (i.e., sexting under substance use and with strangers), and aggravated sexting (i.e., non-consensual sexting and sexting under pressure) across 11 countries.
METHODS: An online survey was completed by 6093 participants (Mage = 20.35; SDage = 3.63) from 11 different countries which covered four continents (Europe, Asia, Africa, and America). Participants completed the Sexting Behaviors Questionnaire and the 12-item Dark Triad Dirty Dozen scale.
RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that sharing own sexts was positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Narcissism. Both risky and aggravated sexting were positively predicted by Machiavellianism and Psychopathy.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided empirical evidence that different sexting behaviors were predicted by Dark Triad Personality Traits, showing a relevant role of Machiavellianism in all kinds of investigated sexting behaviors. Research, clinical, and education implications for prevention programs are discussed.

Keywords:  adolescents; cross-country investigation; dark triad traits; personality; sexting; young adults

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052526
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2021 Mar 29. 1-10

Effect of vitamins on sexual function: A systematic review.

Solmaz Ghanbari-Homaie, Khatereh Ataei-Almanghadim, Mojgan Mirghafourvand.

   Sexual dysfunction can adversely affect the quality of life, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships. Some studies reported a relationship between vitamin supplementation and sexual health. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamins on female and male sexual function. All relevant English and Persian articles published in English databases (Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Psycho-Info, and Proquest) and Farsi databases (SID and Magiran) until July 2020 were searched. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used for assessing the risks of bias. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on 337 women, 472 men, and 35 couples were included. One study reported that vitamin D 300000 IU supplement administrated twice through intramuscular injection (at the beginning and after four weeks) had a significant effect on female sexual function (p<0.05), whereas another study showed that vitamin D 2000 IU supplement for six months did not have any significant effect on female sexual function (p>0.05). A study reported the significant effect of niacin (vitamin B3) 1500 mg daily for 12 weeks on erectile function (p=0.004). The results showed that vitamins A, C, and E had no significant effect on male and female sexual function. The conduction of trials with long-term interventions is recommended to reach a more definitive conclusion about the effect of vitamins on sexual function.

Keywords:  Vitamins; sexual function; systematic review

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000703