Introdução: Entre os aspectos das ações desenvolvidas no campo da Saúde Pública voltadas aos adolescentes, no que tange àquelas voltadas à esfera da saúde sexual e reprodutiva, além das questões de vulnerabilidade mais habitualmente abordadas como as DST/ AIDS e gravidez na adolescência, devem ser destacadas as ações que propiciem o desenvolvimento sexual saudável. A adolescência é um conceito histórica e socialmente construído envolvendo indivíduos que vivenciam transformações bio-psico-sociais, nas quais a questão da sexualidade implica uma importante dimensão. O acesso às informações e conhecimentos por adolescentes sobre aspectos sexuais, biológicos, entre outros, pode favorecer a melhor compreensão de seu desenvolvimento, viabilizando maior autonomia nas suas atitudes e decisões. Objetivos: Identificar e caracterizar temas de perguntas que adolescentes do Ensino Médio têm sobre sexualidade em dois momentos históricos distintos; identificar as fontes de informação que adolescentes utilizam e/ou gostariam de utilizar para responder às suas perguntas; e comparar as dúvidas de estudantes do 2º grau de uma mesma escola em dois momentos históricos (1996, 2008). Métodos: Pesquisa transversal, quali-quantitativa, mediante utilização de questionário auto-preenchido aplicado após aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da FSP/USP e consentimento esclarecido da diretoria da escola e dos responsáveis dos adolescentes menores de 18 anos. Compõem o grupo dos sujeitos de pesquisa, adolescentes estudantes do Ensino Médio de uma escola estadual da cidade de São Paulo. Análise: Os dados da pesquisa foram transcritos para um banco de dados do programa Microsoft Access e a análise foi realizada a partir do referencial teórico da Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: foram sujeitos deste estudo 1178 adolescentes no ano de 1996 e 657 em 2008. A partir dos dados coletados foram criadas 22 categorias de perguntas e percebeu-se que as 11 mais freqüentes se repetiram nos dois anos pesquisados, entretanto essas categorias se manifestaram de forma diferente em relação ao gênero, sendo que as questões relativas aos agravos à saúde como DST/AIDS foram mais freqüentes entre os meninos e as referentes à temática da gravidez entre as meninas. Em relação às fontes que os adolescentes procuram informação sobre sexualidade, a internet foi a mais mencionada e quanto às fontes que os adolescentes gostariam de encontrar a informação, a escola aparece em primeiro lugar. Conclusão: apesar do distanciamento de mais de uma década do material de pesquisa analisado as temáticas sobre sexualidade demonstram um caráter atemporal deste campo do conhecimento, indicando temas centrais que permeiam a vivencia da sexualidade na adolescência ainda que com diferentes ênfases em cada época; quanto às fontes de informação, enquanto o cenário virtual aparece de forma marcante no cotidiano dos adolescentes indicando uma possível instrumentalização melhor para lidar com a sexualidade, a escola aparece como espaço de socialização e de demanda, configurando-se como lócus a ser melhor aproveitado pelas políticas públicas / Introduction: Among the aspects of the developed activities in Public Health area focused on teenagers, related to the sexual and reproductive health, beyond the vulnerability issues most frequently discussed as STD / AIDS and teenager\'s pregnancy, the activities that provide the healthy sexual development should be highlighted. The adolescence is a historical and socially built concept involving individuals who had experienced biological, psychological and social transformations, in which the sexuality issue implicates an important dimension. The access t However o information and knowledge by teenagers about sexual and biological features (among others) may promote a better comprehension of their development making more autonomy practical in their attitudes and decisions. Goals: Identify and characterize questions themes that High School teenagers have about sexuality in two distinct historical moments; identify the sources of information that teenagers use and/or would like to use to answer their questions; and compare the doubts of High School students from the same school in two historical moments (1996, 2008). However Methods: Transversal research, qualitative and quantitative, through using a questioner filled by the teenagers, applied after the approval of the Ethics Committee in Research of FSP/USP and declared consent of the school Directors and the people responsible for the teenagers under 18. The group is composed by research\'s subjects, High School teenager students from a public school in Sao Paulo. Analysis: The research\'s data were transcribed to a database of the software Microsoft Access and the analysis was done from the theoretical reference of Content Analysis. Results: 1178 teenagers were submitted to this study in 1996 and 657, in 2008. From the data collected were created 22 questions categories and it was perceived that the 11 most frequent were repeated in both researches. However those categories were expressed in different ways related to gender: the issues related to the health aggravation like STD/AIDS were more frequent among boys and those referred to the pregnancy thematic among girls. According to this research the internet was the most mentioned source of information about sexuality among teenagers. And among the sources teenagers would like to find information, school is the first one. Conclusion: Despite the distance of more than a decade of the analyzed research material, the thematics about sexuality demonstrate an atemporal characteristic in this knowledge area, indicating central themes that permeates the sexuality experience in adolescence even though with different emphasis in each age; about the informations sources while the virtual scenery appears in a striking way in the teenager\'s quotidian indicating the possibility of having better tools to deal with sexuality, the school appears as an space of socialization and demand, set as location to be better enjoyed by the public politics

This study examined the relation between stigma and reporting of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). It was hypothesized that enacted stigma would result in lower reporting of IPV and that the type of IPV would moderate the relationship between enacted stigma and reporting. Using an online survey, we measured IPV (physical, psychological, and sexual violence) and stigma (perceived, enacted, and internalized). Participants (N = 46) were asked if they had ever experienced any of those forms of violence, as well as if they had ever reported the violence through an online survey. They were then asked how likely they would be to report the violence if it happened again in the future. Responses were analyzed using logistical regression with moderation to determine if a) enacted stigma was associated with lower reporting of intimate partner violence and if b) type of violence moderated stigma and reporting, such that physical violence would have the strongest relation between stigma and reporting of IPV. Results showed that enacted stigma was associated with more IPV reporting across all types of violence: physical (coefficient: 1.539, p<.0005), sexual (coefficient: .999, p<.05), and psychological (coefficient: 1.203, p<.005). Results of testing the moderating role of violence type on the relationship between enacted stigma and IPV were non-significant for all types of violence. In conclusion, the more enacted stigma that was experienced, the more reporting occurred. In addition, type of violence did not moderate the relation between enacted stigma and reporting of intimate partner violence.

Reducing the percentage of unwanted pregnancies has been one of the top objectives of the national health promotion "Healthy People" since the early 1980s. As the increase of unwanted pregnancies continues, research is necessary to uncover factors that influence the decisions women make about their contraceptive methods. The current study examines the topics and the sources of memorable messages regarding LARCs. To address the research questions, this study will analyze interviews conducted with young women about memorable messages regarding LARC methods. This study is a formative research of memorable messages in the context of contraceptive methods, specifically long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). This study gives insight into characteristics to better target young women when promoting contraceptive methods, especially LARCs. Debunking myths and misconceptions about LARCs and improve overall health literacy about these methods among young women and their mothers should be a top priority.

Mental health professionals have an important role to play in assessing and addressing the needs of their clients, including those with severe mental illness. Research, however, has demonstrated a reluctance toward discussing sexual health topics with severely mentally ill clients. The purpose of this study was to explore social work practitioners’ attitudes and preparedness toward addressing the sexual health need of clients who are mentally challenged to a great extent. Under the qualitative research paradigm, this study sampled 8 licensed clinical social workers who currently work in the United States. Thematic analysis of interview data generated four major themes. First, social workers harbor positive attitudes toward mental health; second, social work practitioners perceived themselves as prepared to address sexual health concerns with clients; third, sexual health discussions with severely mentally ill clients should be a part of the solution, not of the problem; and fourth, empowerment of clients and normalization of mental health are ways to combat discomfort toward discussing sexual health issues with clients. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

A group of 44 high-orgasm-consistency and 34 low-orgasmconsistency women were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, a Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, and the Fall Back Task. Excitatory and inhibitory controlling attitudes as manifested in hypnotic susceptibility, reported control of thinking and movement during coitus, causal attributions, and attitude toward alcoholic beverages were related to orgasm consistency. Women experiencing expectancy disconfirmation for coital outcomes attributed outcomes to unstable factors, supporting the application of Weiner's achievement model to the domain of coital orgasm. High and low consistency women showed different patterns of causal attribution for coital outcomes. High consistency women's attributions fit their reported sexual experiences, while low consistency women's attributions suggested the presence of self-esteem enhancing cognitive distortions.

Race- and gender-related contextual factors influence Black women’s sexual behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes. Contextual factors of Black women’s sexual behaviors include stereotypes, microaggressions, ethnic identity, and self-concept. Little to no research has examined race- and gender-specific microaggressions (i.e., gendered racial microaggressions; GRM) impact on Black women's sexual health. Responsively, using an intersectional approach, this study hypothesized that ethnic identity’s influence on the relationship between GRM and sexual behavior (i.e., condom use, lifetime sexual partners) is conditional on self-conceptualization moderated effect on ethnic identity and sexual behavior. Participants included 124 unmarried Black women, recruited from mTurk, a southeastern university and community. Moderated moderation analyses revealed the relationship between GRM and number of lifetime sexual partners is conditionally based on one's level of ethnic identity and self-conceptualization. Findings could potentially enhance existing HIV interventions by increasing awareness of GRM and implementing coping strategies to combat GRM’s effect on sexual behaviors.

Individuals with developmental disabilities are at high risk for sexual abuse, exploitation, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Thorough screening by clinicians in outpatient settings recommending preventative measures to promote reproductive and sexual health, and developing caregiver trust are essential. The aim of this systematic review was to provide screening tools to assist clinicians in assessing the sexual histories of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The Iowa model and the cognitive behavioral theory were used as the theoretical frameworks that guided and informed this project. A total of 148 articles were sought and, of the 34 articles reviewed, 19 were pertinent to synthesize the literature. Articles were appraised using the John Hopkins evidence-based practice model. Results from the existing literature showed that no screening tools are available to assess the sexual histories of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Thorough screening the sexual histories of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities could empower safe sexual practices and the attainment of a life with personal fulfillment for members of this population. The results of this project can result in positive social change by protecting the population of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities from exploitation, unplanned pregnancy, and sexually-transmitted diseases. Future research is needed to fill the gap in the field and develop sexual history screening tools for this population.

After individuals sustain a spinal cord injury, all aspects of their lifestyle must change for them to manage their new life roles. One important area of recovery that is often not addressed during the rehabilitation process is sexual functioning. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how doctor communication about sexual health with women who have sustained spinal cord injuries predicts their levels of sexual functioning and sexual self-esteem. The theoretical framework was the sexual health model. Questionnaires were used to gather data from 45 women who had completed rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries. Level of current sexual functioning was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index. Sexual self-esteem was measured using the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire. Satisfaction with doctor-patient communication was measured using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and Perceived Self-Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions-Sex. Findings from correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between general satisfaction with doctor-patient communication and confidence to communicate with the doctor about sexual health. Results also indicated a negative correlation between sexual self-esteem and sexual functioning. Findings may be used to improve communication between doctors and patients about sexual health, which may reduce the stigma of talking about sexuality and may promote more holistic treatment for women recovering from spinal cord injuries.

In India, ranked 132nd out of 148 countries in the United Nations Gender Inequality Index (2013), females face numerous challenges that pose a threat to their sexual health and psychological well-being. This paper focuses specifically on adolescent unmarried females living in an urban slum, a particularly vulnerable segment of the population that is important to empower in order to effect change. With the ultimate aim to better understand how to design effective and accessible interventions for adolescent females, this paper explores sexual health and its relation to psychological well-being from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders: adolescent girls, mothers of adolescent girls, and service providers who work with adolescent girls. To understand the unique and shared perspectives of the stakeholders regarding the constructs of psychological well-being, gender roles, and sexual health, the author utilized focus group and interview data. Through the use of the deductive-inductive coding process, the author identified overall themes and differences in perspective that elucidated the perspectives of the population. The findings revealed that there is great overlap in the three constructs studied, and each is influenced by and impacts the other. Additionally, the findings showed a trend of girls, mothers, and service providers understanding the importance of girls having access to sexual health information and openness towards mothers potentially sharing this information with daughters. Other implications, future research directions, and limitations are discussed. / acase@tulane.edu

Fanfiction consists of works written by amateurs using pre-existing characters and plots, often shared online for free. Although fanfiction began long before the advent of the internet, the worldwide web has created a platform wherein fanfiction is allowed and encouraged to spread almost unconditionally, reaching new populations and rising slowly but surely into the public eye. As the internet has made fanfiction more accessible and public, it has also increased the number of children and young adults involved in the process. And in the unsupervised wilderness of the internet, sexual content is a common feature of fanfiction, with a varying degree of accuracy in said sexual content. As the influence of fanfiction spreads, academic research into fanfiction has also spread. The purpose of this project is to better understand how fanfiction can impact what adolescents and young adults know about sex and how that information shapes their sexual attitudes. A secondary goal is to question fanfiction authors and readers about whether they are interested in the presentation of accurate sexual information in fanfiction. In order to answer these questions, this project included a review of several works of fanfiction, as well as a survey of 25 fanfiction readers and writers, and interviews with seven of the survey participants. In general, the answer to whether fanfiction has impacted users has been a resounding yes. Prosumers (those who may produce and/or consumer fanfiction) reached through the survey and the interviews largely identified fanfiction as an important resource in their sexual education, with a mostly positive influence. Prosumers cited fanfiction as a source that broadened their knowledge of the intricacies and variations of sex, as well as something that made them more understanding of their own desires and the desires of others. On the other hand, fanfiction prosumers did not necessarily cite fanfiction as being technically accurate. Instead, they valued fanfiction for the variety of viewpoints fanfiction brought them, and the chances it gave them to portray their own lives and issues through their favorite pieces of pop culture. Because the information gathered through this project identifies fanfiction as a source of information about sex for prosumers, and the Archive of Our Own platform specifically, as a reasonable and useful place to embed health-based sex ed interventions. However, fanfiction prosumers mostly seem to know the limits of their creations already, and already have some types of intervention in place, such as the tradition of informational author notes. If future interventions were to be enacted, it would have to be carefully planned with the prosumers, and would likely be most efficacious if it were to utilize those existing prosumer interventions.