Patrícia M. Pascoal

What is Sexual Satisfaction? Thematic Analysis of Lay People's Definitions

Sexual satisfaction is an important indicator of sexual health and is strongly associated with relationship satisfaction. However, research exploring lay definitions of sexual satisfaction has been scarce. We present thematic analysis of written responses of 449 women and 311 men to the question “How would you define sexual satisfaction?” The participants were heterosexual individuals with a mean age of 36.05 years (SD = 8.34) involved in a committed exclusive relationship. In this exploratory study, two main themes were identified: personal sexual well-being and dyadic processes. The first theme focuses on the positive aspects of individual sexual experience, such as pleasure, positive feelings, arousal, sexual openness, and orgasm. The second theme emphasizes relational dimensions, such as mutuality, romance, expression of feelings, creativity, acting out desires, and frequency of sexual activity. Our results highlight that mutual pleasure is a crucial component of sexual satisfaction and that sexual satisfaction derives from positive sexual experiences and not from the absence of conflict or dysfunction. The findings support definitions and models of sexual satisfaction that focus on positive sexual outcomes and the use of measures that incorporate items linked to personal and dyadic sexual rewards for both men and women.

Predictors of Body Appearance Cognitive Distraction during Sexual Activity in Men and Women

INTRODUCTION Cognitive distraction is a core concept in cognitive models of sexual dysfunction. Body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity (BACDSA) has been mainly studied among female college samples. However, the relative contribution of different indicators of body dissatisfaction among men and women from community samples, including the contribution of relationship variables to BACDSA, has yet to be examined. AIM The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which aspects of body dissatisfaction and relationship variables predict BACDSA. METHODS A total of 669 cohabitating, heterosexual, Portuguese participants (390 women and 279 men) with no sexual problems completed an anonymous online survey. The survey included a sociodemographic questionnaire and a set of questionnaires assessing body- and relationship-related variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We used a single item measure of the participants satisfaction with the opinion that they perceive their partner has about the participants body (PPO); the Global Body Dissatisfaction Subscale of the Body Attitudes Test (GBD); a version of the Contour Drawing Rating Scale; the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction; and the Inclusion of Other in Self Scale. Focus on specific body parts during sexual activity (FBP) and relationship length were assessed with an open-ended question. RESULTS Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that GBD and FBP were the only body dissatisfaction variables that significantly predicted BACDSA in both men and women. The relationship variables significantly increased the amount of variance explained in BACDSA for both men and women. However, PPO was the only significant relationship variable that predicted BACDSA and only in women. CONCLUSIONS Body and relationship variables are significant factors in body appearance cognitive distraction. They require further research and assessment, particularly for clinical intervention.

Emotional intimacy is the best predictor of sexual satisfaction of men and women with sexual arousal problems

This study investigates the association between variables related to individual body appearance and relationship variables with sexual satisfaction (SS) in a sample of men and women with sexual arousal problems (SAP). An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in a clinical setting with a non-representative sample of people diagnosed (DSP) with SAP and with a sample of people who identified themselves (SISP) as having a SAP. A total of 193 participants was recruited. SS and variables related to body appearance and relationship were measured. Hierarchical regression was used to study the contribution of different sets of variables on SS of men and women. No differences were found in terms of demographic variables, except for gender. Women in the SISP group presented significantly higher levels of SS than women in the DSP group. The predictive models proved to be statistically significant and explained many of the variance of SS in both men (R2=0.44) and women (R2=0.40). In both genders, emotional intimacy was revealed to be the main predictor of SS. Our results support the need to address relationship variables in patients diagnosed with SAP, specifically intimacy. This latter component must be considered for assessment, intervention and referral.

Consolidation and chromatic reintegration of historical renders with lime-based pozzolanic products

Abstract Historical renders are exposed to several degradation processes that can lead to a wide range of anomalies, such as scaling, detachments, and pulverization. Among the common anomalies, the loss of cohesion and of adhesion are usually identified as the most difficult to repair; these anomalies still need to be deeply studied to design compatible, durable, and sustainable conservation treatments. The restitution of render cohesion can be achieved using consolidating products. Nevertheless, repair treatments could induce aesthetic alterations, and, therefore, are usually followed by chromatic reintegration. This work aims to study the effectiveness of mineral products as consolidants for lime-based mortars and simultaneously as chromatic treatments for pigmented renders. The studied consolidating products are prepared by mixing air lime, metakaolin, water, and mineral pigments. The idea of these consolidating and coloring products rises from a traditional lime-based technique, the limewash, widely diffused in southern Europe and in the Mediterranean area. Consolidating products were applied and tested on lime-based mortar specimens with a low binder–aggregate ratio and therefore with reduced cohesion. A physico-mechanical, microstructural, and mineralogical characterization was performed on untreated and treated specimens, in order to evaluate the efficacy and durability of the treatments. Accelerated aging tests were also performed to assess consolidant durability, when subjected to aggressive conditions. Results showed that the consolidants tested are compatible, effective, and possess good durability.

Predictors of body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity in a sample of men with ED

Our aim is to scrutinize the extent to which aspects of body dissatisfaction and relationship variables predict body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity (BACDSA) in a sample of men diagnosed with ED. A total of 65 heterosexual Portuguese participants with ED completed a survey that included questions on socio-demographic data as well as body-related and relationship measures. We used the Global Body Dissatisfaction (GBD) Subscale of the Body Attitudes Test; a version of the Contour Drawing Rating Scale; a single item on partner’s opinion perceived about one’s body appearance; the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction; and the Inclusion of Other in Self Scale. Open questions assessed focus on specific body parts during sexual activity and relationship length. Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that only GBD was a significant predictor of BACDSA, contrary to the relationship measures that showed no significant predictive effect (R2 =0.47). Our results support the important role of individual factors on explanatory models of sexual dysfunctions, suggesting that interventions addressing individual factors that affect BACDSA may be of preference.

A Dyadic Approach to Understanding the Link Between Sexual Functioning and Sexual Satisfaction in Heterosexual Couples

Researchers have demonstrated that several dimensions of sexual functioning (e.g., sexual desire, arousal, orgasm) are associated with the sexual satisfaction of individuals in a committed mixed-sex (male–female) relationship. We extended this research by comparing a dyadic model that included both own (i.e., actor effect) and partner (i.e., partner effect) domains of sexual functioning to an individual model that included only actor effects. Participants were 124 mixed-sex couples who completed online measures of sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Data analysis using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) and structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that the dyadic model had a better fit than the individual model. Women’s sexual desire and orgasm and men’s erectile functioning were significant positive predictors of both own and partner’s sexual satisfaction. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of taking a dyadic approach to research and clinical work related to sexual satisfaction.

Validation and invariance across gender of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in a community sample of heterosexual adults in a committed relationship

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. METHODS Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. RESULTS A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. CONCLUSIONS This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.

Sexual Beliefs and Sexual Functioning: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Distraction

ABSTRACT Dysfunctional sexual beliefs are vulnerability factors for sexual dysfunction. This cross-sectional study aimed to test the mediating role of cognitive distraction on the relationship between dysfunctional sexual beliefs about sexual functioning shared by men and women and sexual function. The authors used a sample of 421 cisgender heterosexual participants involved in a monogamous relationship. The hypothesized mediation model was tested using a bootstrapped cross product of coefficients approach. Results showed a significant negative, indirect effect between dysfunctional sexual beliefs and womens sexual function through cognitive distraction. The discussion of this study highlights the importance of cognitive factors in sexual functioning.

Editorial Comment on “Profiles of Cyberpornography Use and Sexual Well-Being in Adults”

The use of sexually explicit material has come to the spotlight since the internet made it readily available and cyberpornography has become a popular research topic. Research has focused mainly on the negative impact of cyberpornography use and has been frequently framed on the addiction model, a model that has been questioned by empirical research. Major questions posed are whether cyberpornography use can be considered an addiction and/or is linked to compulsivity or if pornography use damages intimate relationships. In their study, Vaillancourt-Morel et al examined people who viewed cyberpornography to determine whether distinct subgroups could be identified, based on dimensions of cyberpornography use (eg, dyadic vs solitary use, compulsivity) and sexual well-being indicators (eg, sexual satisfaction). To deepen their understanding, they used cluster analysis, which is an appropriate technique to address their research question. One of the major strengths of this work is its emphasis on the interpersonal context of cyberpornography use, enabling an interpersonal contextual understanding of cyberpornography. An interesting result is the large percentage of recreational users, mainly women who use cyberpornography in a dyadic context, which supports existing findings that point to the positive outcomes related to the use of pornography by women. The narrow percentage of compulsive users is not surprising; however, the finding of a group of noncompulsive highly distressed users is intriguing. This research opens the doors for further clarification of this specific cluster of users, because variables that were neglected in the this study (eg, time spent using the internet, psychopathology or neuroticism, distress tolerance, sexual beliefs or attitudes, categories of pornography seen) could be helpful to better understand this clinically relevant group.

The effect of the number of pages on reading depth: preliminary contributions for a better informed consent in neurorehabilitation

A good understanding of informed consent (IC) is a critical step to ensure that the participants decision to participate in research is an informed and autonomous one. However, the IC is often a very complicated document, and sometimes difficult to be understood by lay people. The number of pages of the informed consent may be a factor that hinders in-depth reading and subsequently the understanding of IC. As the reading process requires visual attention, eye movements can reveal how deep the contents in the IC are read. The goal of this innovative study was to understand how the ICs number of pages IC influences reading. Sixty participants were randomly assigned in three experimental conditions (1 page Vs 2 pages Vs 3 pages) and eye movements were continuously recorded. Preliminary results have shown a distinct reading behavior between the different types of IC.