Sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as psycho-social risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in men and women.

The literature highlights a significant role of sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, and cognitive schemas as risk factors triggering and maintaining sexual disfunctions. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidences highlighted in the validation studies of the Italian versions of the “Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ)”, the “Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ)”, and the “Questionnaire of Cognitive Schema Activation in Sexual Context (QCSASC)” for the clinical practice. The questionnaires were assessed in 1051 participants (425 men and 626 women) exploring different classes of cognitions related to sexuality, such as failure and erection concerns, age and body thoughts, erotic fantasies, attitudes towards sexuality, conservatism, occidental gender stereotypic roles and control over sexuality. The Italian versions of SMQ, SBDQ and QCSASC demonstrated good psychometric properties. Results showed that these questionnaires can differentiate between sexually clinical and healthy people and that many cognitions evaluated are clearly gender specific: “Erection Concerns”, “Worries about Partner’s evaluation and Failure Anticipation thoughts” and “Macho Beliefs” for men; “Failure and Disengagement Thoughts” and “Age related Beliefs” for women. “Control over sexuality”, feeling “Helpless” and “Unlovable” were highlighted as important risk factors, without any gender difference. A strong association between cognitions, emotions and sexual functioning was also reported. Our findings confirmed that cognitive aspects have a primary role on sexual health. The strong association with sexual functioning and emotions confirmed the need to operate under an integrated approach, considering cognitive, emotional and sexual aspect all together to elicit an effective improvement during the therapeutic process. These questionnaires are suggested for assessment and therapy evaluation. In research, they are useful to study psychosocial aspects of sexuality and can be implemented in multicultural studies

Simonelli C., NIMBI F.M. (2018). Is high sexual desire a risk for women's relationship and sexual well-being? 14th Congress of the European Federation of Sexology

There is no univocal way to describe sexual desire, as far as it is more complex than any other sexual process. In general, a leading gender stereotype states that men are more interested in sex than women purely for physical reasons. Nowadays, it is slowly moving towards a holistic understanding of the sexual function in men and women. More than between genders, recent studies are now focusing on the variance within sexes and the differences inside the dyads highlighting the “couple discrepancy” as the most common sexual complaint for women. In case of Hypersexuality or extremely different sexual desire level we can face different situations and reactions. For example, effects of hypersexuality on partners can be severe and put strongly the relationship at risk. Some technical and clinical suggestions will be suggested during the lecture

Simonelli C., NIMBI F.M. (2018). Is high sexual desire a risk for women's relationship and sexual well-being? 14th Congress of the European Federation of Sexology

There is no univocal way to describe sexual desire, as far as it is more complex than any other sexual process. In general, a leading gender stereotype states that men are more interested in sex than women purely for physical reasons. Nowadays, it is slowly moving towards a holistic understanding of the sexual function in men and women. More than between genders, recent studies are now focusing on the variance within sexes and the differences inside the dyads highlighting the “couple discrepancy” as the most common sexual complaint for women. In case of Hypersexuality or extremely different sexual desire level we can face different situations and reactions. For example, effects of hypersexuality on partners can be severe and put strongly the relationship at risk. Some technical and clinical suggestions will be suggested during the lecture

Italian Versions of the 12-Item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) and the 5-Item Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form (SDS-SF): Psychometric Properties

The study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Italian versions of the 12-item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS) and the 5-item Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form (SDS-SF). A total sample of 2291 adults (1361 women, 930 men) participated through a web survey completing the SDS, the FSFI, the IIEF, the PANAS and the SCL-90-R. The results supported the adequacy of both the SDS and SDS-SF factor structures, good reliability (respectively, alpha = .96 and .92), discriminant validities and strong associations with satisfaction, fear, depression, and psychoticism. SDS and SDS-SF may facilitate the assessment of sexual distress for both clinical and research purposes

Atteggiamenti verso il matrimonio e il parenting di persone lesbiche e gay: correlazione con sessismo, omofobia e stigma sessuale interiorizzato

Negli ultimi anni, il numero di Paesi che hanno consentito e avviato un iter di riconoscimento di forme di unione omosessuale è progressivamente aumentato, implicando una maggiore sensibilizzazione e stimolando un’attiva e continua evoluzione verso la definizione di nuove forme e modelli di famiglia (Beier et al., 2010). Nel contesto italiano, solo negli ultimi quindici anni si è cominciato a parlare di coppie omosessuali (Antonelli, Dèttore, 2013) e l’assenza di una regolamentazione giuridica ha contribuito ad alimentare difficoltà e pregiudizi (Fino, Aiello, 2014). Nel maggio 2016 in Italia sono state legalizzate le unioni civili tra persone dello stesso sesso, ma importanti questioni come la stepchild adoption rimangono ancora da definire e ad oggi non viene data la possibilità di adottare il figlio del partner all’interno di una coppia omosessuale

Monkeypox spread among men who have sex with men: how do people explain this relationship? A quali-quantitative study of beliefs among heterosexual and non-heterosexual Italian individuals

The majority of monkeypox (Mpox) cases in the 2022 outbreak have been traced back to mass gathering events in May, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). While some quantitative studies exist in the literature, focusing mainly on the link between Mpox knowledge, conspiracy theories, and vaccination hesitancy, there is a dearth of qualitative or mixed-method research that examines the beliefs surrounding this phenomenon, particularly including LGBTQIA+ groups. This study's primary objective is to delve into the beliefs associated with the media's portrayal of a connection between Mpox and MSM during the initial outbreak period. A total of 333 participants, including 212 cisgender women, 110 cisgender men, and 11 individuals identifying with other genders, took part in an online quali-quantitative survey conducted in June 2022 in Italy. This survey aimed to explore participants' perceptions of Mpox, their knowledge about it, and their attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals and sexuality. The final thematic structure revealed a hierarchical arrangement of themes, encompassing: (1) The linkage between Mpox and MSM, elucidated through risky sexual behaviours or contextual factors; (2)The absence of any connection, explained through causal effects and a general mistrust of society. Individuals identified as male at birth and cisgender men tended to attribute the primary reason behind Mpox contagion to sexual promiscuity. Conversely, non-heterosexual participants were more inclined to consider both sexual promiscuity and the presence of stigma. The results demonstrated a diverse range of opinions concerning Mpox, spanning from objective behavioural risks to the stigmatising notion that MSM constitute a socially hazardous group. It is incumbent upon researchers and scientific organisations to disseminate lucid, non-alarmist, and destigmatizing information aimed at curbing risky behaviours.The opinions of both LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ people regarding Mpox during the 2022 outbreak were diverse, often expressing scientific misconceptions and stigmatising beliefs.To address misconceptions and fake news surrounding Mpox infection, it is the responsibility of researchers and scientific organisations to promote clear, non-alarmist information aimed at preventing risky behaviours and protecting against stigma.Health messages related to Mpox prevention should employ sensitive and affirmative language, providing useful information about prevention and care

Can Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Play a Role in the Female Choice of a Partner? A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Pilot Study

The present study aims to evaluate the relationship in women between a history of physical/sexual abuse and the preferences regarding the choice of a partner for a short/long-term relationship in terms of male facial dimorphism, and to assess their sexual functioning. We enrolled 48 abused women and 60 non-abused women. Facial preferences were evaluated with the Morphing test. Sexual functioning was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Regarding the choice for a short-term partner, abused and non-abused women did not show any differences, and both groups chose a less masculine male face. On the other hand, regarding the choice for a long-term partner, abused women showed a preference for an average male face, whilst non-abused women preferred a less masculine face. The sexual functioning of abused women was found significantly dysfunctional in all domains of the FSFI. These data, generated from a small but highly selected cohort, demonstrated that physical/sexual abuse may be associated with a more rational and conscious choice of a male partner for a long-term relationship, but not with an instinctive one, as the choice of an occasional partner. In addition, the sexual functioning of abused women appears to be compromised by the traumatic experience