Acculturation and sexuality: Investigating gender differences in erotic plasticity

Baumeister\u27s theory on female erotic plasticity is supported by a significant body of data that suggests that female sexuality is more malleable than male sexuality and thus more greatly influenced by external factors. Seeking to test Baumeister\u27s theory, this study examined the potential differential impact of the acculturation process on the sexual attitudes and experiences of 188 college men and 310 college women. Sexual attitudes and experiences were measured using the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory and acculturation level was determined using the General Ethnicity Questionnaire. Between-gender analyses revealed that the acculturation process did not have more of a liberalizing effect on the sexual attitudes and experiences of women than on those of men. This finding is inconsistent with Baumeister\u27s theory. Ethnic and acculturation level main effects were identified for sexual experiences and attitudes and a gender main effect was identified for sexual attitudes only. Investigating ethnic, gender, and acculturative differences not only adds to the sparse body of literature on the eudeamonic sexuality of ethnic minorities but may also be useful in developing culturally competent and gender-specific interventions for sex therapy

Exploring erotic plasticity as an individual difference variable: Theory and measurement

Baumeister\u27s theory of female erotic plasticity is supported by a significant body of data suggesting that female sexuality is more malleable and more greatly influenced by cultural and contextual factors than male sexuality. Sex differences notwithstanding, it is reasonable to theorize that erotic plasticity might also vary across individuals. Based on a thematic/conceptual organization of relevant current literature, we explored erotic plasticity as optimally encompassed by six dimensions: (1) changes in sexual attitudes over time, (2) changes in sexual behaviors over time and across context, (3) fluidity of sexual behaviors along a same-sex/opposite-sex continuum (evidence of attraction and/or sexual involvement with both same-sex and opposite-sex partners), (4) susceptibility to sociocultural influences on sexuality, (5) attitude-behavior inconsistency, and (6) perception of choice in regard to one\u27s sexual orientation, sexual identity and or sexual behavior. Early on, we realized that our items attempting to tap into changes in behavior over time (dimension #2) were either unreliable or actually reflective of rigidity more than plasticity so we dropped these items and this dimension from further analyses. Our attempt to construct this measure followed by an exploratory factor analysis yielded a 60-item, 5-subscale measure we titled the Erotic Plasticity Questionnaire. The subscales were titled: Fluidity (of behaviors on the same-sex/opposite-sex continuum), Attitude-Behavior Inconsistency, Changes in Attitudes (over time), Perception of Choice , and Sociocultural Influence . Results from a Confirmatory Factor Analysis with a second sample suggested that the factor solution identified using exploratory factor analysis provided an adequate fit and results from a third sample suggested excellent test-retest reliability for the Erotic Plasticity Questionnaire. The process of creating this questionnaire, determining the factor solution, and then examining the fit of the factor solution using confirmatory factor analysis raised a number of issues regarding the construct of plasticity itself and the extent to which we may (or may not) have captured plasticity as an individual difference variable

Narrative Exposure Therapy: A Case for Use With Refugees via Telehealth With the use of an Interpreter

Rates of PTSD and depression are as high as or higher among samples of refugees than in the general population. There have been few randomized controlled trials of trauma-focused therapies conducted with refugees. Additionally, there has been little research on the use of interpreters in psychotherapy with refugees, but across the studies included in a meta-analysis, a nonsignificant difference between studies that used an interpreter and those that did not was found. Due to COVID-19, mental health providers have had to adapt to the crisis by utilizing telemental health. Research on telemental health with refugee clients is limited, despite a recognition in the literature that telemental health can address some mental healthcare disparities. We review the case of a 26-year-old Afghani/Iranian bilingual diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who presented with intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, nightmares, and flashbacks. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was used with an interpreter via telehealth because it is effective in reducing symptoms of trauma in refugee populations. Treatment success for this case was reflected in the client’s self-reported reduction in symptoms. From this case study, we can conclude that (a) NET is a short-term, cost-effective means for providing trauma-focused care for refugees/asylum-seekers; (b) NET diminishes trauma symptoms with the use of an interpreter via telehealth; (c) a good relationship between therapist, interpreter, and client aids in the effectiveness of NET; and (d) clinician flexibility in the delivery of telemental health and interventions being utilized with refugee/asylum-seeker populations is imperative. </jats:p