Has Virginity Lost Its Virtue? Relationship Stigma Associated with Being a Sexually Inexperienced Adult

While virginity prior to marriage has been historically valued, changing sociosexual scripts in the United States have made premarital sexual activity the norm for young adults, with sexual debut generally occurring in late adolescence. 

In the current research, we examined the impact of being developmentally off-time with first coitus (i.e., not yet engaging in coitus when most same-aged peers have done so). Specifically, we investigated stigma toward sexually inexperienced adults and discrimination regarding romantic relationship formation. 

Across three methodologically diverse studies we observed that sexually inexperienced adults perceived themselves to be stigmatized due to their inexperience and that sexually inexperienced adults were not highly desired as relationship partners. 

Even sexually inexperienced adults themselves did not find other inexperienced adults to be attractive relationship partners. 

Although abstaining from sexual activity may bestow some health advantages, our studies show that being a sexual "late bloomer" may result in negative interpersonal consequences such as limited opportunities for romantic relationships.

Below:  Target’s attractiveness as a function of age of target and participant.

Below:  Target’s attractiveness as a function of sexual experience of target and participant

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/lN9B5d

By:  Gesselman AN1, Webster GD2, Garcia JR3.

• 1 The Kinsey Institute , Indiana University , Bloomington.
• 2 Department of Psychology , University of Florida.
• 3 The Kinsey Institute and Department of Gender Studies , Indiana University , Bloomington.
• J Sex Res. 2016 Mar 16:1-12 

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The Male Factor: Outcomes from a Cluster Randomized Field Experiment with a Couples-Based HIV Prevention Intervention in a South African Township

Highlights

• Men in the couples arm were less likely to report heavy drinking at 6-months.
• Men in the couples arm were more likely to report past-month consistent condom use.
• Women tested at twice the prevalence of HIV (26%) as men (13%).
• At 6-months, HIV incidence was significantly lower among women in the intervention.
• Couples-based interventions focusing on intersecting HIV risks can improve outcomes.

BACKGROUND:

This study examined the effects of the Couples Health CoOp intervention on heavy drinking, condom use, and HIV incidence.

METHODS:

Thirty neighborhoods from one South African township were cluster randomized into three intervention arms: Couples Health CoOp (CHC), Women's Health CoOp/Men's Health CoOp (WHC/MHC), or a comparison arm. We recruited 290 men from informal drinking establishments who reported drinking alcohol regularly. We also recruited their main heterosexual sex partners.

RESULTS:

At 6-month follow-up, men in the CHC arm were less likely to report heavy drinking (OR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.90) and were more likely to report consistent condom use during the past month (OR 2.66, 95% CI: 1.23, 5.76) than men in the comparison arm. At baseline, 26% of women and 13% of men were HIV-infected; at 6-month follow-up, 16 females and 5 males had seroconverted. HIV incidence was significantly lower among women in the CHC arm (IRR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.01) than in the WHC/MHC arm.

CONCLUSIONS:

A couples-based intervention focusing on intersecting risks for HIV can improve biobehavioral outcomes, underscoring the importance of engaging couples together in HIV prevention.

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By:  Wechsberg WM1, Zule WA2, El-Bassel N3, Doherty IA4, Minnis AM5, Novak SD2, Myers B6, Carney T7.

• 1RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Psychology in the Public Interest, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States; Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States. Electronic address: wmw@rti.org.
• 2RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
• 3Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, United States.
• 4RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
• 5RTI International, 351 California Street, San Francisco, CA, United States.
• 6Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 7Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. 
• Drug Alcohol Depend. 2016 Apr 1;161:307-15. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.017. Epub 2016 Feb 18.

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Power & the Association with Relationship Quality in South African Couples: Implications for HIV/AIDS Interventions

INTRODUCTION:

Power imbalances within sexual relationships have significant implications for HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about how power influences the quality of a relationship, which could be an important pathway leading to healthy behavior around HIV/AIDS.

METHODS:

This paper uses data from 448 heterosexual couples (896 individuals) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa who completed baseline surveys from 2012 to 2014 as part of a couples-based HIV intervention trial. Using an actor-partner interdependence perspective, we assessed: (1) how both partners' perceptions of power influences their own (i.e., actor effect) and their partner's reports of relationship quality (i.e., partner effect); and (2) whether these associations differed by gender. We examined three constructs related to power (female power, male equitable gender norms, and shared power) and four domains of relationship quality (intimacy, trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict).

RESULTS:

For actor effects, shared power was strongly and consistently associated with higher relationship quality across all four domains. The effect of shared power on trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict were stronger for men than women. The findings for female power and male equitable gender norms were more mixed. Female power was positively associated with women's reports of trust and mutually constructive communication, but negatively associated with intimacy. Male equitable gender norms were positively associated with men's reports of mutually constructive communication. For partner effects, male equitable gender norms were positively associated with women's reports of intimacy and negatively associated with women's reports of conflict.

CONCLUSIONS:

Research and health interventions aiming to improving HIV-related behaviors should consider sources of shared power within couples and potential leverage points for empowerment at the couple level. Efforts solely focused on empowering women should also take the dyadic environment and men's perspectives into account to ensure positive relationship outcomes.

Below:  Hypothesized pathways between female power, male gender norms, shared power, and relationship quality using an actor-partner independence model

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By:  Conroy AA1, McGrath N2, van Rooyen H3, Hosegood V4, Johnson MO5, Fritz K6, Marr A7, Ngubane T8, Darbes LA9.

• 1Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Electronic address: Amy.Conroy@ucsf.edu.
• 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Mailpoint 805, South Academic Block, Level C Room AC23, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; Africa Centre for Population Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba, South Africa. Electronic address: n.mcgrath@soton.ac.uk.
• 3Social, Behavioural and Biomedical Interventions Unit, HIV/AIDS, STIs and Tuberculosis Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, P.O Box 90, Msunduzi 3200, South Africa. Electronic address: hvanrooyen@hsrc.ac.za.
• 4Africa Centre for Population Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba, South Africa; Division of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. Electronic address: v.hosegood@soton.ac.uk.
• 5Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Electronic address: Mallory.Johnson@ucsf.edu.
• 6Global Health, International Center for Research on Women, 1120 20th Street NW, Suite 500 North, Washington, D.C., USA. Electronic address: kfritz@icrw.org.
• 7Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Electronic address: Alexander.Marr@ucsf.edu.
• 8Social, Behavioural and Biomedical Interventions Unit, HIV/AIDS, STIs and Tuberculosis Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, P.O Box 90, Msunduzi 3200, South Africa. Electronic address: tngubane@hsrc.ac.za.
• 9Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Electronic address: Lynae.Darbes@ucsf.edu. 
• Soc Sci Med. 2016 Jan 28;153:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.01.035.

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Characterizing HIV Epidemiology in Stable Couples in Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India

Using a set of statistical methods and HIV mathematical models applied on nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey data, we characterized HIV serodiscordancy patterns and HIV transmission dynamics in stable couples (SCs) in four countries: Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India. The majority of SCs affected by HIV were serodiscordant, and about a third of HIV-infected persons had uninfected partners. 

Overall, nearly two-thirds of HIV infections occurred in individuals in SCs, but only about half of these infections were due to transmissions within serodiscordant couples. The majority of HIV incidence in the population occurred through extra-partner encounters in SCs. 

There is similarity in HIV epidemiology in SCs between these countries and countries in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the difference in scale of epidemics. It appears that HIV epidemiology in SCs may share similar patterns globally, possibly because it is a natural 'spillover' effect of HIV dynamics in high-risk populations.

Below:  Patterns of HIV serodiscordancy in India, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti compared to those in low and high HIV prevalence countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Countries are shown in order of increasing HIV prevalence

Below:  HIV incidence and its sources in stable couples. (a) Fraction of new HIV infections in stable HIV serodiscordant couples that are due to sources external vs. internal to the couple. Estimates are shown for HIV incidence arising in stable HIV serodiscordant couples due to sources external to the couple. (b–h) The mean country-specific contributions to HIV incidence in the population stratified by couples' serostatus and source of HIV infection. Results are displayed for India, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, compared to those in low and high HIV prevalence countries in sub-Saharan African. Countries are shown in order of increasing HIV prevalence.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/YmTqBv

By:  Chemaitelly H1, Abu-Raddad LJ1.

• 1Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group,Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar,Cornell University,Qatar Foundation - Education City,Doha,Qatar. 

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Similarity in Relationships as Niche Construction: Choice, Stability, and Influence Within Dyads in a Free Choice Environment

A series of field studies focused on the role of similarity as niche construction in friendships. Using a free-range dyad harvest method, we collected 11 independent samples with 1,523 interacting pairs, and compared dyad members' personality traits, attitudes, values, recreational activities, and alcohol and drug use. Within-dyad similarity was statistically significant on 86% of variables measured. 

To determine whether similarity was primarily attributable to niche construction (i.e., selection) or social influence, we tested whether similarity increased as closeness, intimacy, discussion, length of relationship, and importance of the attitude increased. There were no effects on similarity of closeness, relationship length, or discussion of the attitude. There were quite modest effects of intimacy, and a reliable effect of the shared importance of the attitude. 

Because relationship length, intimacy, closeness, and discussion can all serve as markers of opportunity for, or potency of social influence, these data are consistent with the "niche construction" account of similarity. In 2 follow-up controlled longitudinal field studies, participants interacted with people they did not know from their large lecture classes, and at a later time completed a survey of attitudes, values, and personality traits. Interacting pairs were not more similar than chance, but for the 23% of dyads that interacted beyond the first meeting, there was significant similarity within dyad members. 

These 2 lines of inquiry converge to suggest that similarity is mainly due to niche construction, and is most important in the early stages of a relationship; its importance to further relationship development wanes.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/ZQSvJS

By:  Bahns AJ, Crandall CS, Gillath O, Preacher KJ.

J Pers Soc Psychol. 2016 Feb 1

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Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C: A Rare Event among Heterosexual Couples

Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is primarily attributed to percutaneous exposure to infected blood. Methods to prevent percutaneous transmission are well defined and clear counselling messages exist to reduce person-to-person transmission of virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998). While studies suggest that sexual transmission of HCV occurs infrequently, few studies thoroughly investigated sexual risk factors and potential confounding transmission modes within the household (Alter et al., 1989;Tahan et al., 2005; Vandelli et al., 2004; Piazza et al., 1997; Gordon et al., 1992; Osmond et al., 1993). These ambiguities hampered development of clear counselling messages for sexual practices among HCV-infected persons.

To obtain more quantitative information on sexual transmission risk for the most common sexual partnerships among infected persons, the HCV Partners Study studied monogamous, heterosexual couples in long-term relationships (≥36 months), without confounding exposures such as viral coinfection (HIV or HBV) or both partners having a history of injection drug use (Osmond et al., 2013). Among 500 couples and 8377 person-years of sexual contact, the HCV Partners Study found a low prevalence of HCV infection among partners, with a maximum of 1.2% (95% CI: 0.2%–2.2%) of infections potentially attributable to sexual contact. The maximal incidence of HCV infection was 7.2 per 10,000 person-years (95% CI: 1.3–13.0), and maximal risk per sexual contact was 1 per 380,000 (95% CI: 1/600,000–1/280,000). These estimates were similar to or lower than previously reported rates for both prevalences (2.0%–10.3%) (Tahan et al., 2005; Vandelli et al., 2004; Stroffolini et al., 2001) and incidence (0.0–23.3 per 10,000 person-years) (Vandelli et al., 2004;Marincovich et al., 2003; Kao et al., 2000). Overall, available data indicate that HCV transmission by sex is reassuringly low, and the HCV Partners Study provides the numerical context to counsel HCV-infected persons in monogamous partnerships.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/Ky5gbf

By:  Jennifer L. Dodge and Norah A. Terrault*

University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

^*Corresponding author. Email: ude.fscu@tluarreT.haroN

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From Fantasy to Reality: A Grounded Theory of Experiences in the Swinging Lifestyle

Swinger couples-committed couples who consensually engage in extra-relational sex for recreational purposes-are difficult for researchers to access due to the social stigma associated with swinging. 

This study builds upon the limited research on swinger couples by examining personal experiences with swinging. Specifically, 32 semi-structured interviews with swingers (16 husband-wife dyads, interviewed separately) were analyzed using grounded theory methods to understand the process of transitioning into and maintaining marital satisfaction in the swinging lifestyle. 

The model formed included 

1. antecedent steps taken to enter into the lifestyle, 
2. types of desires fulfilled, 
3. stated benefits of being in the lifestyle, and 
4. rules that guided couples throughout the process. 

Although variations were found across couples, the effective use of verbal and non-verbal communication to increase sexual and marital satisfaction within these non-monogamous couples was paramount to their experiences.

Purchase full article at:  http://goo.gl/CJmxRz

By:  Kimberly C1, Hans JD2.

• 1Faculty of Child and Family Studies, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, #5035, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406, USA. claire.kimberly@usm.edu.
• 2Faculty of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. 

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Neuroticism and Men’s Sexual Coercion as Reported by Both Partners in a Community Sample of Couples

Compared with other forms of intimate partner violence, very little is known about sexual coercion (SC) and its correlates in intact couples from the general population. Among potential dispositional risk factors for SC, neuroticism has been related to various aspects of couple functioning, including psychological and physical partner abuse. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, we suggest the existence of two maladaptive profiles on the neuroticism dimension and examine the curvilinear association between neuroticism and men’s SC. 

A total of 299 adult couples completed measures of neuroticism and SC perpetrated by the male partner. Descriptive analyses indicated that SC translated mainly into insistence or partner pressure to engage the other in unwanted sexual activities. Results confirmed the hypothesis that both lower and higher levels of men’s neuroticism predict higher levels of men’s perpetrated SC, while low to moderate levels of neuroticism predict lower levels of men’s SC. 

These findings contribute to the empirical literature on SC in community samples of couples and bear significant clinical implications for the evaluation and treatment of couples experiencing these negative sexual experiences.

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By:  Marie-Ève Daspe^ab*, Stéphane Sabourin^cb, Natacha Godbout^ab,Yvan Lussier^da & Martine Hébert^ab

• ^a Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal
• ^b Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS)
• ^c School of Psychology, Université Laval
• ^d Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

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Momentary Desire for Sexual Intercourse and Momentary Emotional Intimacy Associated with Perceived Relationship Quality and Physical Intimacy in Heterosexual Emerging Adult Couples

Sexual desire and emotional intimacy are central to relationships, yet little is known about how these feelings vary within and between partners or relate to dyad functioning. We explored magnitude and stability of momentary sexual desire and emotional intimacy in relation to quality and functioning of heterosexual relationships. 

After reporting perceived relationship quality and physical intimacy enjoyment, members of 18 emerging adult heterosexual couples reported momentary partner-specific sexual desire and emotional intimacy several times a day for two weeks (2,224 reports). Mean and mean squared successive difference (MSSD) characterized magnitude and stability, respectively, of the momentary states. 

Regression models of relationship outcomes examined influence of the male versus female partner having greater or more stable desire and intimacy. Sexual desire and emotional intimacy magnitude and stability were associated with relationship quality and physical intimacy enjoyment differently for men versus women. Gender-specific differences between partners also predicted relationship outcomes. Men particularly perceived higher relationship quality and enjoyed physical intimacy more when they had higher and more stable sexual desire and their female partners had more stable emotional intimacy. 

Partner differences in momentary sexual desire and emotional intimacy may contribute to understanding quality and functioning of heterosexual relationships.

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By:  Shrier LA1,2, Blood EA2,3,4.

• 1a Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine , Boston Children's Hospital.
• 2b Department of Pediatrics , Harvard Medical School.
• 3c Clinical Research Center , Boston Children's Hospital.
• 4d Department of Community and Family Medicine , Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. 

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“The Best is Always Yet to Come”: Relationship Stages & Processes among Young LGBT Couples

Limited research has examined relationship development among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) couples in emerging adulthood. A better understanding of LGBT couples can inform the development of relationship education programs that reflect their unique needs. 

The following questions guided this study: 1) what are the stages and processes during young LGBT couples’ relationship development? and 2) how do these compare to existing literature on heterosexual adults? A secondary goal was to explore similarities and differences between couples assigned male (MAAB) and female at birth (FAAB). Thirty-six couples completed interviews on their relationship history. 

Qualitative analyses showed that relationship stages and processes were similar to past research on heterosexuals, but participants’ subjective experiences reflected their LGBT identities and emerging adulthood, which exerted additional stress on the relationship. These factors also affected milestones indicative of commitment among heterosexual adults (e.g., introducing partner to family). Mixed-methods analyses indicated that MAAB couples described negotiating relationship agreements and safe sex in more depth than FAAB couples. Relationship development models warrant modifications to consider the impact of sexual and gender identity and emerging adulthood when applied to young LGBT couples. These factors should be addressed in interventions to promote relationship health among young LGBT couples.

Below:  Differences in code application rates stratified by male assigned at birth (MAAB) couples and female assigned at birth (FAAB) couples. Note. Bars represent weighted code values that account for differences in sample size between groups (Dedoose, 2012). Asterisks indicate code application rates that differed by 20% or more.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/VLH2Rx

By:  Kathryn Macapagal,1 George J. Greene,1 Zenaida A. Rivera,1 and Brian Mustanski1,2

¹Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

²To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2700, Chicago, IL 60611; Email: ude.nretsewhtron@nairb; phone: 312.503.5421; fax: 312.503.4800

 

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Couples Communication Skills and Anxiety of Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Physical problems during pregnancy including Anxiety disorders form a large share of health problems. On the other hand, healthy relationship and communication skills are vital to raise a family. For couples who enjoy communication skills, parenthood will be the best and most pleasant experiences in their lives. High levels of positive communication will lead to couples and their children’s mental health and couples’ good relationship can have a protective effect against stressors including anxiety of pregnancy. The current study reviewed the studies on the relationship between communication skills and the anxiety of pregnancy.

The current study is a review where the researcher browsed the available databases like Google Scholar, Pubmed, Magiran, SID, and Science Direct and using key words of Communication skills, marital satisfaction, and the anxiety of pregnancy, & the researcher has searched the articles of 2000-2014 & read 150 abstracts & 93 full papers and ultimately, chose 50 to write this study.

By reviewing the findings literature in three general categories as Communication Skills as the Significant Component to Get Marital Satisfaction, Improving Marital Satisfaction as Pregnancy Anxiety Reducing Factor, and Communication Skills Quality as Component Influencing Pregnancy Anxiety.

Having communication skills will lead to promotion of marital satisfaction and increased mental health in life. It is, therefore, recommended that communication skills be trained in routine programs for pre-marriage counseling, pre-pregnancy cares and pregnancy so that the mental health of community can be improved.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/wFJ5uw

By: Mina Malary,1,2 Zohreh Shahhosseini,3 Mehdi Pourasghar,4 and Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi3,5

¹Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

²Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

³Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

⁴Department of Psychiatry and Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

⁵Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

Corresponding author: Zeinab Hamzehgardeshi, Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Nasibeh Nursing and Midwifery faculty, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Vesal Street, Amir Mazandarani Boulevard, Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Po Box: 4816715793, Tel: +98 11 33367342-5, Fax: +98 11 33368915. E-mail: ri.ca.smut.izar@hezmah

  

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The Heart of Change: Acceptance and Intimacy Mediate Treatment Response in a Brief Couples Intervention

In this study, we examined mediators of a brief couples intervention. Intimate safety, acceptance, and activation were examined in 2 roles: their contribution to marital satisfaction gains in the first 2 weeks after treatment (contemporaneous effects), and how early changes in the mediators influenced longer term changes in marital satisfaction over 2 years of follow-up (lagged effects). 

Married couples (N = 215) were randomized to either an intervention group or a wait-list control group and followed for 2 years. Latent change-score models were used to examine contemporaneous and time-lagged mediation. A booster intervention in the 2nd year was used for a replication study. Changes in intimate safety and acceptance were uniquely associated with contemporaneous treatment effects on relationship satisfaction in Year 1, but only acceptance was uniquely associated with contemporaneous effects in Year 2. 

With respect to lagged effects, early changes in acceptance partially mediated later changes in marital satisfaction in Year 1, whereas the same effect for intimate safety was marginally significant. These lagged paths were moderate in size and indirect effects were small. No lagged effects were significant in Year 2. Change in activation was not significant as either a contemporaneous or a lagged predictor of change in relationship satisfaction. 

We found moderate support for acceptance and more limited support for intimate safety as mediators of short- and long-term treatment response, suggesting that these processes play an important role in sustaining marital health.

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By: Hawrilenko M, Gray TD, Cordova JV.

  

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