Karen V. Harper-Dorton

Childhood and adolescent sexual behaviors predict adult sexual orientations

Abstract Anonymous retrospective data were provided by 3,443 adult participants via computer-assisted self-interview. This was the first study focused on determinants of adult sexual orientation to adjust for the effects of same-sex sibling incest. Five measures of adult sexual orientations (ASOs) provided evidence consistent with the theory that ASOs result from early sex-specific romantic attachment, conditioning caused by early sexual experiences with partners, and other experiences, such as early masturbation using human images, acting synergistically with critical period learning, and sexual imprinting. Early same-sex crushes were the most powerful predictor of ASOs, and they also increased the likelihood of engaging in early same-sex partnered and masturbation behaviors. Incestuous experiences with same-sex siblings affected the ASOs of the incest participants. And, lesbian, gay, and bisexual participants tended to have an earlier onset of puberty than heterosexual controls within sexes. However, statistical analyses showed that the incest and puberty effects were mathematically explained by the participant’s early sexual experiences with partners and other experiences such as masturbation using human images. Early same-sex crushes were predicted by nuclear family variables implying that same-sex crushes were more likely when the opposite-sex parent modeled an unsatisfactory heterosexual romantic partner.

Genital Piercing: Childhood and Adolescent Behaviors That Serve as Predictors and Scores on Scales Measuring Hypersexuality and Risky Sexual Behavior, Sexual Orientation, Depression, Conflict, Intimacy, and Sexual Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Groups of 62 women and 25 men with genital piercings were compared to same-sex controls without genital piercing (2,549 women and 1,427 men, respectively) on measures of sexual orientation, intimacy, conflict, sexual satisfaction, depression, numbers of sexual partners, and numbers of times they engaged in sexual behaviors with female and male partners as adults. As adults, both women and men with genital piercings scored higher on the measures of same-sex orientation, hypersexuality, and risky sexual behavior and had more adult male partners and same-sex partners than controls. Women with genital piercings were more likely than controls to endorse being sexually addicted.

Pre-arousal aversive clitoral sensitivity during sexual relations: exploratory research consisting of the first case report and correlates from an anonymous survey

As illustrated by the case reported here, pre-arousal aversive clitoral sensitivity (PACS) is characterized by a sensation that is too strong to be pleasant prior to physiological sexual arousal but that becomes intensely pleasurable after sexual arousal is achieved. Using a self-administered computerized questionnaire, participants with PACS (18.5% of the 763 participants) turned in scores that were significantly more problematic on sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, depression and 5-item PACS scales than the majority of participants. Those with PACS were more likely to avoid sex, less likely to reach orgasm with their partners and less likely to have ever reached orgasm in response to manual stimulation of their genitals or cunnilingus. This is the first case report and the first research report on PACS. More research will be required to determine: (1) incidence and etiology of PACS, (2) whether to classify PACS as an abnormality or a variant of normal and (3) the most effective ways to help those with PACS.

Context-driven gero-infusion: lessons learned from a curriculum development institute cohort

Abstract This article describes and compares the successes and challenges experienced by three social work programs in the United States working to infuse geriatric competencies into foundation Master of Social Work (MSW) courses, including field education. Adhering to the Planned Change Model each project utilized a range of approaches and strategies that emerged in each setting’s unique organizational and community context. This article examines and analyzes three context-driven accounts of curricular infusion for gerontological social work and lessons learned in this effort to establish gerontology as part of the implicit curriculum in social work programs in universities diverse in mission, size, programming priorities, and student population. Given the experiences of these programs, following the Planned Change Model, maintaining the context as being central to the process, anticipating common challenges, and preparing to engage strategies to overcome challenges are offered as recommendations for successful infusion and sustainment of the efforts.

Exhibitionism and Sex with Underage Males in Adult Women

Abstract Data from 2,607 female participants in an anonymous computerized study were entered by the participants themselves: 276 (10.6%) had exposed themselves in public, 134 (5.1%) reported having urges to expose themselves in public, 153 (5.9%) had engaged in some sort of sex with underage males, and 100 (2.4%) reported they had sexual intercourse with underage males. As predicted by conditioning, modeling, and critical period learning theories, exposure to nudity within the nuclear family and partnered early sexual experimentation involving breast or genital exposure significantly increased the likelihood of participants exposing themselves in public and having such urges.

Conditioning by Orgasm Produced by Heterosexual Oral Sex during the Critical Period

ABSTRACT Data from 965 female and 661 male study participants were used to evaluate the effect of an orgasm experienced during oral sex prior to the age of 18. Both men and women who had experienced an orgasm before 18 were significantly more likely (than controls) to have experienced an orgasm during oral sex after the age of 18 after adjustment for innate differences in individuals ability to reach orgasm during oral sex. Women who had experienced an orgasm before 18 were significantly more likely to report that oral sex was the easiest way to reach orgasm as an adult.

Father-Daughter Incest: Effects, Risk-Factors, and a Proposal for a New Parent-Based Approach to Prevention

ABSTRACT A comparison of 74 victims of father-daughter incest (FDI) to 355 controls who were victims of child-sexual abuse (CSA) by an adult male other than their father identified multiple significant differences between the two groups attributable to effects unique to FDI. For example, FDI victims had more problematic scores on the depression scale, and they preferred to have partner sex less frequently than the victims of CSA-AM. Problematic relationships between parents, higher family-tolerated father-daughter nudity, and a new partner in the home all increased the likelihood of FDI. Hypersexual and risky sexual behaviors increased the likelihood of endorsing being sexually addicted.

Sexual imprinting of offspring on their parents and siblings

Abstract Based on data provided anonymously by 2,611 women and 1,452 men using a computerized questionnaire, we found that 19.2% of women vs. 16% of men (p < .001) were aware of being attracted to people with physical characteristics resembling members of their nuclear families, a phenomenon called sexual imprinting. Women reported sexual imprinting on fathers (15.5%), brothers (2.5%), mothers (0.8%), and sisters (0.4%), and men reported sexual imprinting on mothers (11.5%), sisters (2.1%), fathers (1.9%), and brothers (0.5%). The likelihood of women imprinting on fathers increased when fathers were more affectionate to them and when parents were more affectionate to each other. The likelihood of women imprinting on brothers increased when they had an older brother. The likelihood of women imprinting on mothers increased when parents divorced or separated and there was a remarriage. The likelihood of men imprinting on mothers increased when mothers had a positive attitude about sex. It decreased if they had an older brother and increased if they had been the victim of child sexual abuse (CSA) by an adult female. The likelihood of men imprinting on sisters was increased if parents were affectionate to each other. Three factors predicted the likelihood of men imprinting on fathers.

A Gerontology Practitioner Continuing Education Certificate Program: Lessons Learned

ABSTRACT This article discusses the results of a school of social work survey assessing the geriatric training needs of social workers and other professionals in aging and the need for a gerontology practitioner’s continuing education (CE) certificate program. A total of 391 professionals, the majority of whom were social workers, participated in an online needs assessment survey. Of all respondents, the majority (77%) expressed some interest in enrolling in a certificate program within 2 years. Increased knowledge and competence, personal satisfaction and growth, and meeting CE requirements for professional licensure renewal were the major reasons given for interest in enrollment. Cognitive changes, dementia, and end-of-life issues were each selected by almost half of the respondents as areas in which they felt they needed the most training. Legal issues, health care, and social policies and programs were also of interest. In response to survey findings, a 100-clock-hour program was developed to strengthen the skills of persons who work with older adults. The emphasized curricular areas included understanding aging processes and social and economic issues confronting older persons. Related programs, seeking to assess the geriatric training needs of professionals in efforts to develop an appropriate educational program to respond to these needs, can benefit from challenges and lessons learned from this interdisciplinary CE program development.