CJHS Abstracts: Vol 10(3/4) 2001

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (CJHS)

Volume 10, Number 3 & 4, 2001
Aging, Sexuality, and HIV Issues Among Older Gay Men. James Murray, AIDS Committee of Toronto and Barry D. Adam, University of Windsor. This study reports on one-on-one interviews with gay and bisexual men age forty and over, concerning their sexuality in the context of HIV. Respondents report a range of age-related issues that impact on safer sex decision-making including decreased attractiveness, widowerhood, loss of support networks from AIDS, and anticipated quality of life, as well as strengths and satisfactions that decrease their risk. Respondents typically attributed unsafe sex in other men to popular discourses around (1) condom fatigue, (2) treatment optimism, and (3) inserter invulnerability, but deny that these ideas explain their own behaviour. They identify their own risk situations with: depression, impending mortality, "trading off" safe sex, and the effects of condoms in keeping erections. Community-building projects that begin to address risk situations have followed from this research with the AIDS committee of Toronto. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 75-90). The Impact of Anger on Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage. Claude Belanger, University of Quebec at Montreal and Kathleen Laughrea, University of Sherbrooke. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of different forms of anger on sexual satisfaction in marriage. The sample consisted of 192 French-Canadian heterosexual couples recruited from clinical and non-clinical populations. Regression analyses suggested that the wife's sexual satisfaction is best explained by her disposition to perceive a wide range of situations as annoying or frustrating (Trait Anger), and by how often her angry feelings toward her partner are held or suppressed (Anger-in) or expressed in an angry manner (Anger-out). Her sexual satisfaction was also explained by the intensity of angry feelings from her husband (State Anger). Furthermore, the husband's State Anger, his Anger-in and his wife's Anger-out expression predicted a significant part of the variance in his sexual satisfaction. Results and clinical implications are analyzed in view of gender differences. Recommendations for future research are discussed. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 91-99). The Motivation to Become a Human Sexuality Professional. Andre Dupras, Josee S. Lafond, and Helene Dionne, Universite du Quebec a Montreal. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study about what motivates individuals to choose the profession of sexologist. A group of 120 new students in the bachelor's degree program in sexology at the University of Quebec at Montreal completed a questionnaire on personal and environmental factors that influenced their decision to pursue studies in sexology. Students identified both intrinsic motives, such as their desire to help people achieve greater sexual well-being, and extrinsic factors such as their desire to have interesting employment. The notion of vocation is used to explain students' commitment to a profession that carries an uncertain future. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 101-110). Sexual Experience, Contraception, and STI Prevention Among High School Students: Results from a Canadian Urban Centre. Mary Rucklos Hampton, Pamela Smith, Bonnie Jeffery, University of Regina, and Barb McWatters, Planned Parenthood Regina's Sexual Health Centre. High school students in grades 10 (n=1,120) and 12 (n=1,233) in a Canadian urban centre completed a 73-item questionnaire concerning their sexual health-related knowledge, opinions, and behaviour. This paper reports on the percentage of students of different ages who have had intercourse. Their contraceptive use and STI prevention at first intercourse, and their perceptions of their parents' attitudes toward their having intercourse. Overall, 31.7% of grade 10 students (average age 15.6 years) and 52.6% of grade 12 students (average age 17.6 years) reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Grade 12 females were more likely to have had intercourse than grade 12 males (57.1% versus 48.2%) a gender difference not present in grade 10. Recent frequency of intercourse varied considerably for both sexes with 50.1% of all students who had ever had intercourse reporting once or twice per week or more often in the last 3 months and 28.9% less than once a month. At first intercourse, 80% of these students reported using contraception (pill, condom or both with an additional 5% reporting withdrawal); 72% reporting STI prevention (i.e., condom use). Overall, about three quarters of students who had not had intercourse and half of those who had felt that their parents would strongly or somewhat disapprove. The findings are discussed in relation to other recent research on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 111-126). Commentary: Adolescent Sexual Health Education. Does it Work? Can it Work Better? An Analysis of Recent Research and Media Reports. Alexander McKay, Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, William Fisher, University of Western Ontario, Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, University of Windsor, and Michael Barrett, University of Toronto. This commentary examines and critiques a recent research report (DiCenso, Guyatt, Willan, & Griffith, 2002) and subsequent media coverage suggesting that adolescent sex education programs "don't work". Evidence supporting the efficacy of adolescent sexual health education programs is described and priority issues for the field are identified. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 127-135).

Volume 10, Number 3 & 4, 2001

Aging, Sexuality, and HIV Issues Among Older Gay Men.
James Murray, AIDS Committee of Toronto and Barry D. Adam, University of Windsor.

This study reports on one-on-one interviews with gay and bisexual men age forty and over, concerning their sexuality in the context of HIV. Respondents report a range of age-related issues that impact on safer sex decision-making including decreased attractiveness, widowerhood, loss of support networks from AIDS, and anticipated quality of life, as well as strengths and satisfactions that decrease their risk. Respondents typically attributed unsafe sex in other men to popular discourses around (1) condom fatigue, (2) treatment optimism, and (3) inserter invulnerability, but deny that these ideas explain their own behaviour. They identify their own risk situations with: depression, impending mortality, "trading off" safe sex, and the effects of condoms in keeping erections. Community-building projects that begin to address risk situations have followed from this research with the AIDS committee of Toronto. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 75-90).

The Impact of Anger on Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage.
Claude Belanger, University of Quebec at Montreal and Kathleen Laughrea, University of Sherbrooke.

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of different forms of anger on sexual satisfaction in marriage. The sample consisted of 192 French-Canadian heterosexual couples recruited from clinical and non-clinical populations. Regression analyses suggested that the wife's sexual satisfaction is best explained by her disposition to perceive a wide range of situations as annoying or frustrating (Trait Anger), and by how often her angry feelings toward her partner are held or suppressed (Anger-in) or expressed in an angry manner (Anger-out). Her sexual satisfaction was also explained by the intensity of angry feelings from her husband (State Anger). Furthermore, the husband's State Anger, his Anger-in and his wife's Anger-out expression predicted a significant part of the variance in his sexual satisfaction. Results and clinical implications are analyzed in view of gender differences. Recommendations for future research are discussed. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 91-99).

The Motivation to Become a Human Sexuality Professional.
Andre Dupras, Josee S. Lafond, and Helene Dionne, Universite du Quebec a Montreal.

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study about what motivates individuals to choose the profession of sexologist. A group of 120 new students in the bachelor's degree program in sexology at the University of Quebec at Montreal completed a questionnaire on personal and environmental factors that influenced their decision to pursue studies in sexology. Students identified both intrinsic motives, such as their desire to help people achieve greater sexual well-being, and extrinsic factors such as their desire to have interesting employment. The notion of vocation is used to explain students' commitment to a profession that carries an uncertain future. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 101-110).

Sexual Experience, Contraception, and STI Prevention Among High School Students: Results from a Canadian Urban Centre.
Mary Rucklos Hampton, Pamela Smith, Bonnie Jeffery, University of Regina, and Barb McWatters, Planned Parenthood Regina's Sexual Health Centre.

High school students in grades 10 (n=1,120) and 12 (n=1,233) in a Canadian urban centre completed a 73-item questionnaire concerning their sexual health-related knowledge, opinions, and behaviour. This paper reports on the percentage of students of different ages who have had intercourse. Their contraceptive use and STI prevention at first intercourse, and their perceptions of their parents' attitudes toward their having intercourse. Overall, 31.7% of grade 10 students (average age 15.6 years) and 52.6% of grade 12 students (average age 17.6 years) reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Grade 12 females were more likely to have had intercourse than grade 12 males (57.1% versus 48.2%) a gender difference not present in grade 10. Recent frequency of intercourse varied considerably for both sexes with 50.1% of all students who had ever had intercourse reporting once or twice per week or more often in the last 3 months and 28.9% less than once a month. At first intercourse, 80% of these students reported using contraception (pill, condom or both with an additional 5% reporting withdrawal); 72% reporting STI prevention (i.e., condom use). Overall, about three quarters of students who had not had intercourse and half of those who had felt that their parents would strongly or somewhat disapprove. The findings are discussed in relation to other recent research on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 111-126).

Commentary: Adolescent Sexual Health Education. Does it Work? Can it Work Better? An Analysis of Recent Research and Media Reports.
Alexander McKay, Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, William Fisher, University of Western Ontario, Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, University of Windsor, and Michael Barrett, University of Toronto.

This commentary examines and critiques a recent research report (DiCenso, Guyatt, Willan, & Griffith, 2002) and subsequent media coverage suggesting that adolescent sex education programs "don't work". Evidence supporting the efficacy of adolescent sexual health education programs is described and priority issues for the field are identified. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 127-135).

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