06/13/2024: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Poster Presentation
St. Louis Union Station Hotel
Published Room: Midway West Foyer
Core Knowledge Area
B. Developmental sexuality from a bio-psycho-social perspective across the life course
C. Socio-cultural, familial factors (e.g., ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors
D. Issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity: heterosexuality; issues and themes impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual people; gender identity and expression
E. Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics
F. Diversities in sexual expression and lifestyles including, but not limited to, polyamory, swinging, BDSM and tantra
H. Health/medical factors that may influence sexuality including, but not limited to, illness, disability, drugs, mental health, conception, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy termination, contraception, fertility, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infection, other infections, sexual trauma, injury and safer sex practices
I. Range of sexual functioning and behavior, from optimal to problematic including, but not limited to, common issues such as: desire discrepancy, lack of desire, difficulty achieving or maintaining arousal, sexual pain, penetration problems and difficulty with orgasm
J. Sexual exploitation including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault
M. Pleasure enhancement skills
N. Learning theory and its application
O. Professional communication and personal reflection skills
P. History of the discipline of sex research, theory, education, counseling and therapy
Q. Principles of sexuality research and research methods
Sex Therapy (ST) Training
ST-A. Theory and methods of sex-related psychotherapy, including several different models.
ST-B. Techniques of sex-related assessment and diagnosis of the ‘Psychosexual Disorders’ described in the current edition of the DSM.
ST-C. Theory and methods of approach to intervention in relationship systems experiencing sex and intimacy problems.
ST-D. Theory and method of approach to medical intervention in the evaluation and treatment of psychosexual disorders.
Sexuality Counseling (SC) Training
SC-A. Theory and methods of personal/individual counseling.
SC-B. Theory and methods of sexuality counseling approaches to specific populations (e.g., youth, older adult, couples, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations).
SC-C. Theory and methods of different approaches to intervention in relationship systems.
Sexuality Education (SE) Training
SE-A. Sexuality education training will include, but is not limited to: theory and methods of general education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE-B. Theory and methods of sexuality education (including curriculum development, delivery and evaluation).
SE-D. Theory and methods of approaches to sexuality education with specific populations (e.g., youth, older adults, couples, ethnic/ cultural/ faith-based populations, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities).
SE-E. Theory and methods of different approaches to sexuality education delivery (e.g., small group work, one-on-one education, large group lectures or interaction, online delivery or use of other electronic means)
AASECT 2024 Annual Conference
Presentations
A Group-Based Act Intervention On Reducing Gender-Based Minority Stress for Transgender Veterans
The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of face-to-face delivered group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions in terms of effectiveness and feasibility. The goal is to address a range of psychological issues associated with gender-based minority stress that go beyond traditional diagnoses. The hope for the group is to create a safe place for acceptance and validation of transgender experiences while providing psychoeducation and practice on increasing psychological flexibility needed to build resiliency against chronic gender-based stress.
Presenter
Melissa Fernandez, PsyD, LMHC
Two-hundred and ninety-eight undergraduates (82% female, 81% heterosexual, and 71% white/non Hispanic) at three universities completed an anonymous, voluntary 33-item survey on romantic chemistry. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents reported that sexual attraction was the primary factor responsible for chemistry in a romantic relationship. Intellectual banter (63%), similarity of age/race/values (47%) and being ready for a new love connection (40%) were identified as other, more important factors. While a third of the respondents could not explain their "romantic chemistry, others suggeste
Presenter
David Knox, PhD Marriage and Family
Co-Presenter
I. Joyce Chang, Ph.D.
We examined the racial and gender differences in sexual preoccupation. Consistent with the literature, results indicate that male participants reported higher sexual preoccupation than female participants. Additionally, non-White participants had greater scores of sexual preoccupation than White participants; however, we did not find evidence to support the interaction effect between gender and racial identity on sexual preoccupation.
Presenter
Idil Ugurluoglu, MS
Co-Presenter(s)
Alexander Tatum, PhD, CST
Jessi Schroeder, MA
Alexandra Whitman, MA
Nawar Albarak
Sex is often studied in the context of risk rather than pleasure. Data from the second OMGYes Pleasure Report, focusing on women's experience of anal stimulation, was analyzed with logistic regression to assess for the association of sexual orientation with pleasure from internal and external anal stimulation while controlling for other sociodemographics. Gay/lesbian and bisexual women were more likely than straight women to report pleasure related to internal and external anal stimulation from multiple sources. Understanding anal pleasure may help women engage in more satisfying, safer sex.
Presenter
Liz Haas, LMSW ACSW CST CSE
This study sought to further understand sexual self-concepts among young sexual minority men with childhood sexual abuse histories. Sixteen (N = 16) participants were interviewed utilizing a hermeneutical phenomenological conceptual framework and methodology. Three themes were found: (1) body image concerns; (2) penile insecurities; and (3) desire for romantic attachment. This study extend previous research on emotional and mental components and has implications for mental health professionals who are likely to interact with childhood sexual abuse survivors who are sexually diverse.
Presenter
Bobbie Emetu, PhD, MPH, MA, LMFT
Shame is an intensely painful emotion, adversely impacting mental health and social relationships. The present study addressed a gap in the literature through testing a moderated mediation model focusing on how shame proneness relates to insecure attachment and sexual satisfaction. Results indicate that sexual self-esteem mediated the relationship between insecure attachment style and sexual satisfaction. Shame proneness moderated the relationship between avoidant attachment and sexual satisfaction. Findings provide implications for therapists working with shame-prone clients.
Presenter
Jessi Schroeder, MA
Co-Presenter(s)
Alexander Tatum, PhD, CST
Alexandra Whitman, MA
Alysse Wiggins, M.A.
The constructs of sexual satisfaction and sexual assertiveness have been largely understudied within transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations. In order to begin addressing the gaps in the literature, this study seeks to examine the relationship between these constructs and the additional component of internalized transphobia. This research seeks to inform community sex education and therapeutic practices in order to enhance the sexual wellbeing, and thus the overall wellbeing, of TGD individuals.
Presenter
Madilynn Rutherford, EdM
When individuals or couples present to therapy with sexual struggles, research has shown that these issues are correlated with a lack of partner communication and difficulties with sexual expression (Pazmany et al., 2015). The stigma surrounding sexual behaviors has stifled sexual conversations for too long. This poster will show a new theoretical model, based in the literature, that was developed to provide a framework upon which to visualize the interlaced aspects of desire, sex positivity, satisfaction, and expression.
Presenter
Jessica Benge, T/S