Associations between sexual health and well-being: a systematic review.

Objective: To investigate the associations between sexual health dimensions, and overall health and well-being.

Methods: In February 2024, we systematically searched Scopus, PsyArticles, PsycINFO®, PubMed®, Web of Science and LILACS for articles reporting on associations between sexual health, health and well-being indicators. We applied no language restrictions and followed the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Using network analysis to model associations between psychological symptoms, sexual function, and sexual distress in women.

Background: Psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and somatization, are among the most important predictors for women's sexual function (i.e., arousal, desire, lubrication, pain, and satisfaction) and sexual distress.

Understanding sexual distress related to sexual function (SDRSF): A preliminary framework based on a qualitative study with clinical sexologists.

Introduction: Sexual distress related to sexual function (SDRSF) is pivotal in diagnosing sexual dysfunction. However, there is a lack of theoretical models for its comprehension and of knowledge concerning how to address it in clinical practice.

Aim: To contribute to theory building and clinical practice about SDRSF by collecting clinicians' accounts, aiming to inform a preliminary framework to study and intervene in SDRSF.

A Systematic Review on Psychological Interventions for Sexual Health in Older Age.

Objectives: The present review aims to identify the existing evidence on outcome-treatment studies of psychological sexual health interventions in older age.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for studies published until October 2022. Data search was conducted on EBSCO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases.

Evaluating the User Experience of a Smartphone-Delivered Sexual Health Promotion Program for Older Adults in the Netherlands: Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Background: Sexual health is an important component of quality of life in older adults. However, older adults often face barriers to attaining a fulfilling sexual life because of issues such as stigma, lack of information, or difficult access to adequate support.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the user experience of a self-guided, smartphone-delivered program to promote sexual health among older adults.

Biopsychosocial determinants of sexual health in older age: the role of health-related, relationship, and psychosexual factors.

Background: Given the unprecedented aging of the population and the increased focus on overall well-being in older age, investigating the determining factors of sexual well-being in older adults becomes essential as it offers insights into promoting healthy aging and overall quality of life.

Aim: By applying the biopsychosocial model of sexuality in older age, we aimed to identify the role of biomedical and psychosocial factors in predicting sexual well-being in partnered older adults (≥55 years old).

Methods: A total of 111 participants (mean [SD], 63.

Promoting Sexual Health in Colorectal Cancer Patients and Survivors: Results from a Systematic Review.

Background: Colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment negatively impact sexual health. However, there is still a lack of interventions targeting the sexual healthcare needs of colorectal cancer patients and survivors. This systematic review aimed to identify and summarize the efficacy of available psychological interventions aimed at improving colorectal cancer patients' and survivors' sexual health.

Mapping the contributions of dyadic approaches to couples' psychosocial adaptation to prostate cancer: a scoping review.

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer diagnosis worldwide among males. Although prostate cancer affects the physical, sexual, and mental health of patients, the impact of prostate cancer on partners has also been increasingly recognized. Hence, taking a dyadic approach is of relevance.

The effect of emotional regulation difficulties on sexual and psychological distress using repetitive negative thinking as a mediator.

Background: Sexual distress, a determinant factor in diagnosing sexual dysfunction, plays a significant role in individuals' sexual well-being, yet it has been overlooked in research.

Aim: This exploratory study adopted a transdiagnostic approach to sexual distress and sought to examine the association between emotional regulation difficulties and sexual and psychological distress, with repetitive negative thinking as a potential mediator.

Methods: We used a quantitative cross-sectional design with a sample of 509 partnered individuals.

Psychometric Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale (SSCS).

The Sexual Self-Consciousness Scale (SSCS) is an instrument for assessing dispositional propensities for self-consciousness experienced in a sexual context, with wide application in both clinical and research settings. The objective of the current study was to test some psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese version of the SSCS using a convenience sample of 210 men and 210 women. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Portuguese version of the SSCS.

The Role of Men's Sexual Beliefs on Sexual Function/Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Cognitive models of sexual dysfunction postulate that inflexible, unrealistic, and erroneous sexual beliefs work as a vulnerability factor for the development of sexual dysfunctions and existing studies give some support to this hypothesis. However, to date, there is no published systematic review of studies testing the association between men's sexual beliefs and sexual functioning. This systematic review was conducted from searches using EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases identifying peer-reviewed studies and gray literature sources from inception to November 2021.

Longitudinal associations between relational and sexual well-being in couples transitioning to parenthood.

There is limited understanding of the dynamic between relational and sexual well-being as couples adjust to new parenthood, despite this being a vulnerable period for couples' relationships. This study was aimed at examining the bidirectional links between relationship quality and sexual well-being (i.e.

Longitudinal associations between mindfulness and changes to body image in first-time parent couples.

Pregnancy and postpartum are associated with declines in body image. Research on postpartum body image focuses almost exclusively on the person who gave birth and studies examining protective factors for postpartum body image are scarce. We assessed 257 new-parent couples from mid-pregnancy to 6-months postpartum to examine whether mindfulness-a recognized contributor to psychological well-being-buffered against declines in both partners' perceptions of mothers' body.

Biopsychosocial Predictors of Couples' Trajectories of Sexual Function and Sexual Distress Across the Transition to Parenthood.

The prevailing narrative about sexual declines during the transition to parenthood is largely based on studies assessing the average couple, but there is increasing evidence of variability in the sexual well-being of new parents. We sought to establish distinct subgroups of couples based on sexual function and sexual distress trajectories and examine biopsychosocial risk and protective factors of these trajectories. A prospective cohort of 257 first-time parent couples reported on sexual function and sexual distress from 20-week pregnancy (baseline) to 6 months postpartum across four time-points.

Psychometric Validation of the Sexual Distress Scale in Male and Female Portuguese Samples.

Background: The Female Sexual Distress Scale and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised-herein called the Sexual Distress Scale (SDS and SDS-R)-are among the most widely used self-report instruments to assess sexual distress, but no version for use in the Portuguese population is available to date.

Aim: The current study aimed to validate the Portuguese version of the SDS/SDS-R in samples of women and men with and without distressing sexual problems.

Methods: A sample of 1,109 participants without distressing sexual problems (761 women) and 382 participants with distressing sexual problems (283 women), ages ranging from 18 to 72 years, were used to examine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese SDS and SDS-R.

Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Profiles in Men with and Without Erectile Disorder.

Objective: To investigate sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI) profiles in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and to examine how these dimensions discriminate between men with and without ED.

Methods: A clinical sample of 37 men with situational (psychogenic) ED and a control group of 40 sexually healthy men (matching the clinical group in age, marital status, and educational level) were constituted. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing sexual function and the propensity for SI and SE.

Adapting to Uncertainty: A Mixed-Method Study on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Expectant and Postpartum Women and Men.

Detrimental biopsychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations have been established worldwide. Despite research indicating that the transition to parenthood is a vulnerable period for maternal and paternal health, an in-depth examination of the specific challenges the pandemic poses for new mothers and fathers is still lacking. Using a mixed-method design, we investigated individual and relational well-being of women and men who were expecting their first child during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and its associations with contextual, individual, and relational factors.

Is Expectant Couples' Similarity in Attitudes to Sex during Pregnancy Linked to Their Sexual Well-being? A Dyadic Study with Response Surface Analysis.

Despite sexual activity being safe for the majority of expectant couples (i.e., the pregnant individual and their partner), negative attitudes toward having sex during pregnancy are common and are related to lower sexual well-being across this vulnerable life period.

Validation of the Maternal and Partner Sex During Pregnancy Scales (MSP/PSP) in Portugal: Assessing Dyadic Interdependence and Associations with Sexual Behaviors.

Background: The Maternal and Partner Sex During Pregnancy Scales (MSP/PSP) are self-report measures of expectant couples' attitudes towards sex during pregnancy.

Aim: This study aimed to examine dyadic non-independence of MSP/PSP scores in a sample of expectant couples, while providing an evaluation of factor structure, validity, and reliability of the Portuguese versions of the MSP/PSP. The association between partners' attitudes and frequency of sexual behaviors was also examined.

Sexual Conservatism and Sexual Satisfaction in Older Women: A Cross-Sectional Mediation Analysis.

: The present study aims to assess the relationship between age and sexual satisfaction in older women and testing the potential mediating role of conservative sexual beliefs on this association.s: A total of 106 women (M= 68.71; SD = 6.

Cognitive-Emotional Predictors of Sexual Functioning in Lesbians, Gays, and Heterosexuals.

Cognitive-emotional dimensions play a core role in predisposing and maintaining sexual difficulties. This study aimed to assess the role of personality traits, sexual beliefs, cognitive schemas, automatic thoughts and affective states in predicting sexual functioning in a Portuguese sample. A total of 226 lesbian women, 254 heterosexual women, 243 gay men, and 274 heterosexual men completed a web-survey.

The Role of Cognitive Processing Factors in Sexual Function and Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Cognitive factors are conceptualized as playing a role in maintaining psychological disorders-including sexual dysfunction-by influencing the way in which individuals ascribe meaning, and ultimately respond, to sexual events.

Objectives: To systematically review and integrate the findings from studies on cognitive processing factors and sexual function and dysfunction in women and men.

Methods: A systematic search of major electronic databases was conducted from inception to July 2019 to identify peer-reviewed studies examining cognitive processing factors associated with sexual function and dysfunction.

Sexual well-being and perceived stress in couples transitioning to parenthood: A dyadic analysis.

Background/objective: The transition to parenthood encompasses several psychological and relational changes that might contribute to couples' high levels of stress postpartum. Although common across the postpartum, couples' sexual changes are frequently overlooked.

Method: We surveyed 255 mixed-sex new parent couples to examine the associations between sexual well-being-sexual satisfaction, desire, and postpartum sexual concerns-and perceived stress postpartum.