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International Journal of Environmental... May 2022The aim of this paper is to capture older adult women's experience of dance. To this purpose, a qualitative research study was carried out with members of the 'Gracje'...
The aim of this paper is to capture older adult women's experience of dance. To this purpose, a qualitative research study was carried out with members of the 'Gracje' dance group. The study used Jürgen Habermas's theory of communicative action as its theoretical underpinnings. The focus was on the models of action and validity claims expressed in language (narrative). In this theoretical framework, dancing activity has been shown as promoting not only physical health and mental wellbeing but also social involvement. Our study has found that, in and through dance, the older adults primarily realised their claims to pleasure, attractiveness, health and emancipation. This has considerably improved their bodily capacity and increased their self-esteem. However, what the older adults themselves find most important is that the realisation of these claims beneficially affects their interactions in family and neighbourly communities and facilitates their engagement in volunteer activities, helping people at risk of exclusion due to age and/or disability.
Topics: Aged; Dancing; Female; Humans; Pleasure; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 35627862
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106318 -
American Journal of Public Health Feb 2020
Topics: Global Health; Human Rights; Humans; Pleasure; Politics; Reproductive Health; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Health
PubMed: 31913674
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305497 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023The surge in social network services (SNS) usage has ignited concerns about potential addictive behaviors stemming from excessive engagement. This research focuses on...
The surge in social network services (SNS) usage has ignited concerns about potential addictive behaviors stemming from excessive engagement. This research focuses on pinpointing the primary determinants of SNS addiction by introducing a theoretical framework centered on flow, perceived enjoyment, and habit. A sample of 282 SNS users from South Korea was surveyed, and the gathered data was assessed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The evaluation revealed that positive affect closely relates to flow and perceived enjoyment, whereas negative affect amplifies flow but diminishes perceived enjoyment. Additionally, the research underscored that social influence significantly shapes habits and affects perceived enjoyment. Notably, flow demonstrated a strong connection to addiction, and perceived enjoyment influenced both flow and habit significantly. Habit was directly linked to addiction. These insights pave the way for more in-depth studies on SNS addiction patterns and offer a foundation for devising effective strategies to mitigate its adverse effects.
Topics: Humans; Social Media; Social Networking; Behavior, Addictive; Pleasure; Happiness
PubMed: 37794135
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43796-2 -
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Dec 2023Integrating pleasure may be a successful strategy for reaching young people with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. However, sexual...
Integrating pleasure may be a successful strategy for reaching young people with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. However, sexual pleasure-related programming and research remains sparse. We aimed to assess chatbot acceptability and describe changes in SRHR attitudes and behaviours among Kenyan young adults engaging with a pleasure-oriented SRHR chatbot. We used an exploratory mixed-methods study design. Between November 2021 and January 2022, participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire before and after chatbot engagement. In-depth phone interviews were conducted among a select group of participants after their initial chatbot engagement. Quantitative data were analysed using paired analyses and interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Of 301 baseline participants, 38% (115/301) completed the endline survey, with no measured baseline differences between participants who did and did not complete the endline survey. In-depth interviews were conducted among 41 participants. We observed higher satisfaction at endline vs. baseline on reported ability to exercise sexual rights (), confidence discussing contraception () and sexual feelings/needs () with their sexual partner(s). Qualitative interviews indicated that most participants valued the chatbot as a confidential and free-of-judgment source of trustworthy "on-demand" SRHR information. Participants reported improvements in sex-positive communication with partners and safer sex practices due to new learnings from the chatbot. We observed increases in SRHR empowerment among young Kenyans after engagement with the chatbot. Integrating sexual pleasure into traditional SRHR content delivered through digital tools is a promising strategy to advance positive SRHR attitudes and practices among youth.
Topics: Young Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Kenya; Pleasure; Reproductive Health; Sexual Behavior; Reproduction
PubMed: 37982143
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2269008 -
Global Public Health Jan 2023This commentary explores the missing discourse of sexual rights and sexual pleasure in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that purport to . The SDG propose a...
This commentary explores the missing discourse of sexual rights and sexual pleasure in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that purport to . The SDG propose a welcome focus on sexual health and human rights for all, expanding beyond the Millennium Development Goals. While promising in many ways for advancing global sexual and reproductive health, and reproductive rights, the omission of sexual rights is troubling. So too is the erasure of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons, and sex workers, from the SDG discussions of social inequities. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate how a sexual rights focus could advance SDG 3 focused on healthy lives and well-being for all. First, sexual rights are presented as integral to realizing Target 3.3's focus on ending the HIV pandemic among LGBTQ persons and sex workers (and LGBTQ sex workers). Second, sexual pleasure is introduced as an integral component of sexual health and sexual rights that could facilitate the realization of Target 3.7's aim to provide universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and education. To truly and realize sexual health for all, the SDG need to begin from a foundation of sexual rights.
Topics: Female; Humans; Sustainable Development; Sexual Health; Pleasure; Homosexuality, Female; Transgender Persons; Reproductive Rights
PubMed: 34278957
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1953559 -
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Dec 2023Pleasure is often left out of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. The expanding evidence base suggests that the inclusion of pleasure can... (Review)
Review
Pleasure is often left out of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions. The expanding evidence base suggests that the inclusion of pleasure can improve SRHR outcomes and increase safer sex practices. However, there is a lack of research into how to include pleasure in applied SRHR work, particularly outside of key groups. This study aims to present the experiences of a cohort of pleasure implementers and develop a series of implementation best practices. Data were gathered from a structured survey filled out by pleasure implementers ( = 8) twice between September 2021 and October 2022 at 6-month intervals. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out remotely with pleasure implementers, those that funded their pleasure work ( = 2) or provided technical support ( = 2) in January 2023. Pleasure implementers, based in Central, East and Southern Africa and India, reported tangible outcomes of their pleasure-based work in various contexts and across diverse groups. Themes that emerged from analysis of the FGDs and survey responses included pleasure as a portal to positive outcomes, barriers to a pleasure approach, and mechanisms by which pleasure allows for open and non-judgmental discussion about sex and pleasure. A series of best practices emerged from pleasure implementer experiences. This study concludes that a pleasure-based approach can be introduced to a wide range of groups and communities, even those assumed too conservative to accept a pleasure approach. The best practices developed offer a range of practically driven recommendations, that others can lean on when integrating a pleasure approach into their work.
Topics: Humans; Reproductive Health; Pleasure; Sexual Behavior; Reproduction; Sexual Health
PubMed: 38037813
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2275838 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2020to associate pleasure and suffering indicators with aspects related to nursing work in hospitals.
OBJECTIVES
to associate pleasure and suffering indicators with aspects related to nursing work in hospitals.
METHODS
This is a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted with 152 nurses from a university hospital in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews, using a tool to obtain sociodemographic data, work characteristics and the Pleasure and Suffering Indicators at Work Scale.
RESULTS
pleasure living and its domains were rated as satisfactory, while suffering factors and their domains were critically assessed. Statistically significant associations were observed among pleasure and suffering indicators, and some characteristics of nurses' work.
CONCLUSIONS
it was evidenced that nurses had critical levels of suffering at work associated with their work practice characteristics.
Topics: Adult; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Male; Middle Aged; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Pleasure; Psychological Distress; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32159697
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0820 -
Current Biology : CB Jan 2022In species that copulate during non-conceptive periods, such as humans and bonobos, sexual intercourse is known to be pleasurable for females. Dolphins also copulate...
In species that copulate during non-conceptive periods, such as humans and bonobos, sexual intercourse is known to be pleasurable for females. Dolphins also copulate throughout the year, largely to establish and maintain social bonds. In dolphins, the clitoris is positioned in the anterior aspect of the vaginal entrance, where physical contact and stimulation during copulation is likely. Clitoral stimulation seems to be important during female-female sexual interactions in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which rub each other's clitorises using snouts, flippers, or flukes. Determining a sexual pleasure response in animals not amenable to neurobehavioral examination is difficult, but investigation of the clitoris may elucidate evidence of functionality. In this study, we assessed macro- and micromorphological features of the clitoris in common bottlenose dolphins to examine functional features, including erectile bodies with lacunae, extensible collagen and/or elastin fibers, and the presence and location of sensory nerves. Our observations suggest the clitoris of dolphins has well-developed erectile spaces, is highly sensitive to tactile stimulation, and is likely functional. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Topics: Animals; Bottle-Nosed Dolphin; Clitoris; Copulation; Female; Male
PubMed: 35015987
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.020 -
Sexual Medicine Aug 2023Chronic pain can occur in the vulva, one of the primary pleasure centers of the body; however, the associations between pleasurable vulvar experiences and chronic vulvar...
BACKGROUND
Chronic pain can occur in the vulva, one of the primary pleasure centers of the body; however, the associations between pleasurable vulvar experiences and chronic vulvar pain have not yet been explored.
AIM
The aim of this study was to investigate associations between vulvar pleasure and pain experiences in patients with chronic vulvar pain.
METHODS
This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 547 patients (aged ≥17 years) presenting over 10 months to 2 urban outpatient gynecology clinics specializing in vulvar pain. Prior to the initial evaluation, patients completed online validated questionnaires of pain-related anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and sexual functioning, as well as a researcher-developed questionnaire evaluating vulvar pleasure. Patients were divided into groups based on their pleasure and pain experiences. Between-group analyses consisting of -tests, analyses of variance, and multivariate analyses of variance were conducted.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes consisted of total and subscale scores on the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Female Sexual Function Index, and a researcher-developed vulvar pleasure questionnaire.
RESULTS
More than 70% of patients with chronic vulvar pain had experienced vulvar pleasure since the onset of their vulvar pain, with the clitoris as the most common source of pleasure. Average vulvar pleasure intensity was rated 7 (0, no pleasure; 10, extremely pleasurable). Masturbation ranked higher in pleasurable activities than vulvar stimulation by a partner or penetrative intercourse and was the most likely activity to lead to orgasm. When compared with patients who had not experienced vulvar pleasure since the onset of their vulvar pain, patients experiencing both pain and pleasure scored lower on the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 total ( = .026) and fear subscale ( = .016), lower on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale total ( = .002) and all subscales ( = .008-.018), and higher on the Female Sexual Function Index total and all subscales (all ≤ .001).
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Incorporating strategies for cultivating vulvar pleasure in patients with chronic vulvar pain may be useful in comprehensive management approaches.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
Strengths of this study include the novel examination of vulvar pleasure in a population with chronic vulvar pain and a large sample size. Limitations include the lack of a nonclinical comparator group and reliance on patient self-report.
CONCLUSION
Results suggest that greater vulvar pleasure is associated with lower pain-related anxiety, lower pain catastrophizing, and higher sexual functioning in patients with chronic vulvar pain conditions.
PubMed: 37671069
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad047 -
American Journal of Public Health Feb 2020Sex education in the United States is limited in both its content and the measures used to collect data on what is taught. The risk-reduction framework that guides the...
Sex education in the United States is limited in both its content and the measures used to collect data on what is taught. The risk-reduction framework that guides the teaching of sex education in the United States focuses almost exclusively on avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, overlooking other critical topics such as the information and skills needed to form healthy relationships and content related to sexual pleasure.Young people express frustration about the lack of information on sexuality and sexual behavior that is included in sex education programs; sexual and gender minority youths, in particular, feel overlooked by current approaches.International guidance provides a more robust framework for developing and measuring sex education and suggests a number of areas in which US sex education can improve to better meet the needs of youths.
Topics: Adolescent; Child Welfare; Humans; Pleasure; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; United States
PubMed: 31855482
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305320