Sex Positivity as a construct has garnered much attention in recent years - in the media, with global policy, and in research endeavors. This research aims to provide a measure that can evaluate ...levels of sex positivity for use in research and clinical work. An examination of the literature discovered several commonalities related to the traits of sex positivity, which informed the initial item pool. 521 participants provided data for the initial analysis, which utilized Classical Test Theory to provide evidence of validity and reliability for a stable scale. The final structure of The Sex Positivity Scale was shown to be a valid and reliable measure with three subscales (Behaviors and Attitudes, Talking about Sex/Communication, Knowledge and Beliefs) and one aggregate total score. The measure itself is comprised of 27 items on a Likert scale, and can be utilized in a variety of contexts.
Sex therapy is a course that is required in many mental health graduate degrees; the field of sexology and sexual health is growing and developing-but the intersection of pedagogy and sex therapy is ...currently deficient, especially when considering the impact of this often controversial and value laden topic. The initial mixed methods research study presented here examined the personal and professional impact that a course on sex therapy had on the students. Examined characteristics included the presentation style of the instructor, student's erotophobic or erotophilic perspectives pre and post course, and a qualitative examination of a course evaluation survey. Results indicated that the presentation style of the instructor, course content, and experiential learning activities resulted in significantly increased sex positivity and comfort in discussion issues of sexual health with psychotherapy clients, friends, and family members of students. Specific suggestions and components of the course design are highlighted as part of the change process that helped to advance students' perspectives and encourage personal growth.
This article describes the development and evaluation of the Gay and Lesbian Relationship Satisfaction Scale (GLRSS) as a measure of individuals' gay and lesbian same‐gender relationship satisfaction ...and social support. Clinicians and researchers administer relationship satisfaction scales to persons in gay and lesbian relationships with a heteronormative assumption that scales developed and validated with opposite‐gender couples measure identical relationship issues. Gay and Lesbian couples have unique concerns that influence relationship satisfaction, most notably social support. Using online recruitment and data collection, the GLRSS was evaluated with data from 275 gay and lesbian individuals in a same‐gender relationship.
This study attempted to measure relationship satisfaction, social support, and psychological well-being in a sample of 235 Italian lesbian and gay individuals (46.8% were female, and 53.2% were male, ...age M = 32) with an average age of 32 years. We administered a research protocol composed of the Gay and Lesbian Relationship Satisfaction Scale (Belous & Wampler,
2016
), the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Busby, Christensen, Crane, & Larson,
1995
), and the Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 (Lambert et al.,
1996
). We found evidence of reliability and validity, with some cultural differences. Our results revealed that the dimensions emerging from the exploratory factor analysis corresponded well to the two dimensions proposed by Belous & Wampler. Data also revealed that total scores of GLRSS and scores of GRLSS Satisfaction Scale are significantly interrelated with all RDAS scales, and that no significant relationships were observed between GLRSS Social support scale and RDAS. The correlations of the GLRSS scales with the level of psychological distress measured by the OQ-45 revealed that less satisfied and less supported individuals tend to suffer more psychological, interpersonal and social difficulties. The findings indicate that the Italian Version of GRLSS can be used with clinical, non-clinical, and research samples for Italian-speaking same gender couples.
Within the Couple and Family Therapy literature, there are few articles directly linking theory to treatment within the lesbian community. Utilizing contextual theory, the author presents a gay ...affirmative therapeutic approach to work with lesbian couples. The fundamental concepts of contextual therapy are uniquely suited for work with lesbian clients; particularly the four dimensions of individual psychology, relational ethics, systemic interaction, and facts. A case study is presented to highlight this therapeutic process. This article is one step in a larger systemic change related to the challenge of adapting theoretical methodology and gathering evidence for effective treatment of marginalized groups.
Pansexuality is a growing sexual identity that has become immensely popular in U.S. culture within the previous decade. Currently, little is known about the distinct difference between pansexuality ...and other sexual orientations/identities; most of what is known comes from popular press and statements by celebrities that have publicly identified as pansexual. As a method of distinguishing and privileging pansexuality as a distinct sexuality, a document and content analysis related to pansexuality was conducted on public blogs and posts from the Internet. Several themes were analyzed, including definition, comparison to bisexuality, identity development, celebrities/media, normalization, and panerasure. Through analysis of 55 unique online posts related to the topic, a proposal consensus statement is offered that attempts to give voice to the pansexual identity as distinctive. In addition, a discussion is offered related to the development and media influence of the pansexual identity-including the emerging concept of panerasure.
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