published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Philosophy

This study examined differences in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function between female survivors of Hodgkin's disease and a control group of recently diagnosed but untreated cancer patients. The Hodgkin's disease survivors were assigned to one of two groups depending on whether they had retained ovarian functioning following their cancer therapy. Differences among the three groups were examined on variables consisting of the principal components derived from scores on the: Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI); Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI); and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). These variables included: DSFI (General background and sexual functioning, Attitudes and feelings, and Information and Drive); BSI (General distress, and Somatic anxiety); and PAIS (General social functioning, and Health care orientation). No statistically significant differences in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function were found among the three groups. Additional analyses suggested that women who required therapeutic abortions to terminate pregnancies (existing at their diagnosis or occurring while they were receiving cancer treatment) had greater problems in psychosocial adjustment and sexual function than those who did not require abortions.

This study investigates two aspects of tropical reef fish mating systems: the prevalence of paternal care in those species that exhibit some form of parental care, and the evolutionary stability of simultaneous hermaphroditism. Studies of three species of tropical reef fishes from the Gulf of California were used to investigate these two different types of mating systems. Two species of demersal egg guarders with paternal care, Malacoctenus hubbsi and Abudefduf troschelii, were studied to determine the importance of a male's mating status (the number of eggs in his territory) in regard to female choice of mates. In both species, females did not base their choice of mates on the number of eggs in the male's territory, males increased their level of parental care with increasing egg number, and egg survivorship where estimated was independent of brood size. These results corroborate, and offer the first experimental field verification of a crucial assumption of a minimal-care hypothesis proposed a decade ago by Williams (1975). Male reproductive success was studied in greater detail in one species, M. hubbsi. Territory parameters, rather than male size, were the major determinants of male reproductive success. This independence relative to male size was attributed to the unpredictability of good future territories. In Serranus fasciatus all individuals begin reproduction as simultaneous hermaphrodites, but lose female function at large sizes to become males. Males obtain disproportionate reproductive success by maintaining harems of hermaphrodites and defending them from adjacent males. These harems are similar to those found in some sequentially hermaphroditic species. Hermaphrodites obtain most of their reproductive success through female function by spawning with a male, but also engage in an alternative male strategy--streaking on pair spawns--to obtain some male reproductive success. This small amount of male reproductive success by hermaphrodites appears to stabilize simultaneous hermaphroditism with most resources allocated to female function. Facultative alternative male mating strategies in hermaphroditic individuals joins spawning reciprocation as the only known behavioral strategies that provide evolutionary stability for simultaneous hermaphroditic individuals in populations of tropical reef fishes.

Proximal and Distal Indirect Influences on Adolescent Sexual Activity and Post Risky Sexual Behaviors INTRODUCTION: Prior literature has revealed a correlation between adolescent sexual debut and parenting behaviors. However, most existing studies has only focused on parental monitoring and control. This limitation, in addition to small, cross-sectional studies, has resulted in inconsistent and limited findings. These gaps are addressed in this present paper by investigating how family connectedness contributes to the age of sexual debut. It is hypothesized that adolescents who are 13 years of age and have a lack of family connectedness engage in high-risk behaviors sooner than their 13-year-old peers with greater family connectedness. METHODS: Data were drawn from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. This paper focused on adolescents born in the year 1983 who had no sexual debut at baseline. Those selected were initially interviewed for baseline family connectedness and prospectively followed up to adulthood. Family connectedness was measured using five aspects: shared activities, parent-adolescent communication, parent admiration, parental support and the presence of family dinners. SAS 9.4 was used to perform survival analyses to examine the rate of teenage sexual debut by family connectedness. RESULTS: Findings suggest that family connectedness, specifically weekly family dinners and parent-child communication were significant familial factors that delayed adolescent sexual behavior. The hazards ratio of having an adolescent sexual debut at any time for an individual who had family activity at least once a week was 0.91 (95CI: 0.74, 1.14), having weekly family dinner (HR 0.70; 95CI: 0.53, 0.93), communication with parents (HR 0.78; 95CI: 0.68, 0.91), perceived parental support (HR 1.04; 95CI:0.91, 1.02), think highly of parents (HR 1.08; 95CI 0.93, 1.25). CONCLUSION: This study attempted to observe other factors outside of the parental monitor and control that could contribute to adolescent sexual activity. However, family connectedness was found to be a protective factor only among family weekly dinner and parent-child communitcation. Public health policy and interventions aimed at family connectedness alone will unlikely influence adolescent sexual behaviors. Therefore, other factors along with family connectedness should be further assessed to discover its true correlation on sexual debut.

This study examined whether cultural values and gender moderate the association between mother-adolescent communication about sex and adolescents’ sexual behavior/intention to engage in sex and condom use attitudes. One hundred and fifty Latino adolescents completed an anonymous survey that measured sexual health outcomes, mother-child communication, and cultural factors. In bivariate analyses, adolescents with a higher sense of familismo had a more positive attitude towards using condoms and more acculturated Latino adolescents were less likely to speak to their mothers about pre-coital or coital sexual topics. Females spoke more about sex with their mother, compared to males. Traditional gender roles moderated the relation between mother-adolescent communication about sex and condom use attitudes. Acculturation, familismo nor gender significantly moderated the relationship between communication about sex and sexual health outcomes. Further research should explore whether certain cultural factors influence parents to talk to their adolescent about specific topics related to sex.

Master of Science / Department of Psychological Sciences / Gary Brase / An evolutionary perspective suggests that changes in resource availability produce changes in fertility decisions and desires, and that these adaptive mechanisms are sensitive to sociocultural factors that act more proximally to the decision-maker. The current work systematically investigates several factors as potential predictors of fertility decisions at the level of the individual decision-maker in a three-study design, adding to an existing literature of fertility decision-making that has focused on demographic-level shifts. In study 1 (N=228, 69.3% female, average age=25.6), study 2 (N=232, 72.4% female, average age=24.7), and study 3 (N=333, 67% female, average age=25.1) data was collected from a general Internet sample and a student sample. Findings suggest that high resource variability produces insecure romantic attachment, which is associated with increased fertility plans and desires. Further, this work indicates that fertility decision making mechanisms are sensitive to sociocultural factors, particularly gender roles and identities, cultural pressures to become a parent, mothering expectations, and relationship status. These findings suggest that demographic-level changes in fertility can be understood, with strong predictive models, at the individual-level of analysis.

Although much research has been conducted on termination of pregnancy, there is a paucity of information regarding women’s sexuality after such a procedure, and in particular, how a woman understands her sexuality following a termination of pregnancy or what influences such an understanding. This research aimed to investigate how women understand their sexuality following a voluntary termination of pregnancy through the examination of the interaction between personal and broader social views on sexuality. Seven women who had undergone the procedure at two private termination clinics in Johannesburg were interviewed, using a semi-structured, open-ended interview schedule. The data was analysed according to thematic analytic methods. Based on the results, it was clear that the way in which women understand their sexuality following a termination of pregnancy is complex and multi-faceted. Particular themes emerged that were in line with the debates raised in the current literature. It became evident that these views were intricate and multi-faceted. Heteronormativity and heterosexuality proved particularly influential in how women understand their sexuality following a termination of pregnancy, and which further related to points raised throughout the literature. It was clear through the analysis that each theme could be seen to stand alone, or alternatively be represented through other themes and sub-themes.

A velhice se constitui de uma importante etapa da vida que é extremamente significativa, merecendo atenção e cuidados especiais, com possibilidades de continuidade das fontes de prazer, alegria e de felicidade. Assim, atingir a velhice implica nas diversas superações de etapas, obstáculos, percalços e momentos que conduzem a um amadurecimento maior, dadas as experiências vivenciadas. Embora podendo ser considerada, biologicamente, como uma regressão morfofuncional, esse processo afeta todos os sistemas fisiológicos principais, de forma variável. Entretanto, os sentimentos e as sensações não sofrem deterioração. Não impede o indivíduo de desfrutar a vida, de forma ativa e saudável, possibilitando também a praticar a sexualidade como pode e como queira. Mas, os preconceitos sofridos neste sentido, são muitos. A sociedade, sustenta o mito da fase assexuada, excluindo do imaginário, qualquer vivência da sexualidade entre eles, que por vezes, acreditam que a sexualidade nessa fase da vida já não faz mais sentindo. Assim, sentimos a necessidade de estudar e entender como os idosos percebem a sua própria sexualidade. Para desmitificar esse assunto que perpassa por preconceitos, mitos, tabus e crendices populares, é preciso analisar e depreender os pontos que devem ser trabalhados na perspectiva dessa população, a fim de desenvolver ações educativas mais eficientes e eficazes, nesse contexto. Portanto, propusemos, neste estudo, explorar, recolher, organizar, sintetizar e compartilhar, por meio da revisão sistemática da literatura, os resultados de artigos primários, referentes à percepção dos idosos em relação a sua sexualidade. Assim sendo, esta pesquisa basea-se em um estudo descritivo- analítico e documental, fundamentado em uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica sobre o tema central do presente estudo. Por meio da síntese das ideias principais dos estudos selecionados, identificamos as situações -limite e a partir disso, elencamos 04 Categorias e 02 desdobramentos ou subcategorias: -A falta de informação sobre a sexualidade; -Idoso não pode ter atividade sexual; - As questões de gênero no contexto social e suas influências na sexualidade do idoso; - Fatores como as doenças, a falta de um parceiro e a influência da família, são motivos que interferem na vivência da sexualidade. Como desdobramentos- A religião e suas influências na sexualidade do idoso; - As mudanças físicas e hormonais dificultam a vivência da sexualidade. Após os resultados obtidos e analisados, verificou-se que a percepção do idoso sobre a sua sexualidade é manifesta de maneira ingênua, limitada e simplista. Daí, torna-se evidente haver necessidade de efetivo investimento sobre esse assunto visando a desmistificação frente à sexualidade nesta faixa etária, compreendendo a importância do papel da Educação para a Saúde neste sentido, destacando a relevância do trabalho multiprofissional nesta lógica, relevando o do (a) enfermeiro (a) na promoção da saúde sexual e na qualidade de vida do idoso. Vale destacar a importância de se atentar para a prevenção da Aids a esse contingente no cenário nacional e internacional / Old age is a stage of life, which is extremely significant, deserving special attention and care, with great possibilities of continuing sources of pleasure, joy and happiness . However , to reach old age involves several exceedances of obstacles , setbacks and moments that bring us into maturity . Can be considered biologically functional morphology as a regression that affects all major physiological systems to varying degrees . However , the feelings and sensations are stable . Does not prevent the individual from enjoying life active , healthy and happy way, sexuality can be lived to the end. However , prejudice against sexuality of the elderly are diverse . The company maintains the myth of the asexual phase , excluding any of the imaginary experience of sexuality among the elderly , which in turn , believe that sexuality at this stage of life is no longer feeling . Therefore , we feel the need to study and understand how the elderly perceive sexuality . We know that to demystify this subject that permeates prejudices , myths , taboos and erroneous beliefs , it is necessary that health professionals understand the points that should be better worked at the prospect of this population in order to achieve more efficient educational activities in this context . We proposed , in this study , explore , collect , organize , synthesize, and share , through the systematic literature review , the results of primary articles relating to the perception of older people in relation to their sexuality . This is a search based on a descriptive - analytical and documentary study, based on a systematic review of scientific literature on the central theme of this study. By summarizing the main ideas of the selected studies , we identify the extreme situations and from this, we list 04 categories and 02 subcategories or developments : a lack of information about sexuality ; - Aged can not have sexual activity ; - The issues gender in the social context and its influence on the sexuality of the elderly; - factors such as disease , lack of a partner and family influence are reasons that interfere with the experiences of sexuality . Developments as a religion and its influences on sexuality of the elderly; - The physical and hormonal changes complicate the experiences of sexuality . After the results obtained from the research , it appears that the perception of the elderly on sexuality is still confusing , which contributes to a negative view . Becomes evident that there is a gap on the subject and lacking information for debunking that permeate our cultural scene with myths and taboos that hinder the experience and authentic perception of the elderly with regard to sexuality. We understand that only education , along with health professionals such as nurses , can and should assist in demystifying and transforming the repressive gaze of the elderly who deny sexuality , as well as the forerunners of own prejudices that permeate the subject

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