<table style="border:1px solid #adadad; background-color: #F3F1EC; color: #666666; padding:8px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; line-height:16px; margin-bottom:6px;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;">PsyPost – Psychology News Daily Digest (Unofficial)</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/fertility-outcomes-differ-among-dark-tetrad-traits-in-criminal-populations/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">New psychology research reveals differences in fertility outcomes linked toDark Tetrad traits in criminal populations</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 31st 2024, 08:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>Research published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112883"><em>Personality & Individual Differences</em></a> shows that narcissism is linked to higher fertility, while traits like psychopathy and Machiavellianism, mediated by criminal behavior, reduce reproductive success.</p>
<p>Janko Međedović examined the intersection of the Dark Tetrad traits—psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism—with reproductive fitness in a criminal population. These traits, known for their socially aversive characteristics, often lead to behaviors such as manipulation and norm violations. Prior studies have highlighted inconsistent links between these traits and fertility, with some suggesting psychopathy and narcissism <a href="https://www.psypost.org/psychopathic-men-have-more-children-study-finds/">may enhance reproductive success</a> in certain contexts. However, these findings are limited and often contradictory, necessitating further investigation.</p>
<p>Previous research on criminal behavior and fertility has also yielded mixed outcomes, with some findings suggesting a “fast life history” trajectory while others demonstrate reduced fertility due to lifestyle factors such as substance abuse and underemployment.</p>
<p>This study was conducted in five major penitentiary facilities across Serbia, with data collected from a sample of 590 inmates (86% male, ~ 40 years). Researchers were present during data collection, which primarily took place in groups of 30-40 individuals to ensure consistent oversight. The sample was diverse in terms of educational background but skewed toward lower educational attainment compared to the general population.</p>
<p>The study employed the Dirty Dozen inventory, which measures psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism through a 12-item scale, while sadism was evaluated using five items from the VAST inventory’s Direct Sadism scale. Participants also self-reported their number of biological children as a proxy for fertility. A “criminal career index” was developed by aggregating data from institutional records and participant histories. This index incorporated factors such as the age of first offense, the breadth of criminal activities, and assessments of risk and reoffending likelihood.</p>
<p>Initial analyses showed that psychopathy, Machiavellianism, sadism, and the criminal career index were negatively correlated with the number of children, while narcissism displayed no significant relationship. However, further regression analysis revealed that narcissism positively predicted fertility, with individuals high in narcissism reporting more offspring. Conversely, Machiavellianism and the criminal career index remained negative predictors, indicating that a history of persistent criminal behavior significantly reduced reproductive outcomes.</p>
<p>For psychopathy, the entire negative association with fertility was mediated by criminal behavior, suggesting that psychopathic individuals engaged in criminal activity experienced reduced reproductive fitness. Similarly, criminal behavior partially mediated the negative impact of Machiavellianism on fertility.</p>
<p>Interestingly, gender differences emerged, with criminal careers negatively affecting fertility in men but showing no significant impact on women.</p>
<p>Of note is that the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences. Further, the sample limited to Serbian prisoners, may not generalize to broader populations.</p>
<p>Overall, this study highlights that while narcissism may confer reproductive advantages, other dark traits, particularly psychopathy and Machiavellianism, appear maladaptive when linked with persistent criminal behavior.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112883">Reproductive ecology of dark personalities: Dark Tetrad traits, criminal career, and fertility</a>,” was authored by Janko Međedović.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/scientists-pinpoint-neural-marker-for-schizophrenia-related-cognitive-challenges/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Scientists pinpoint neural marker for schizophrenia-related cognitive challenges</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 31st 2024, 06:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>A recent study in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(24)00549-4"><em>Cell Reports Medicine </em></a>has highlighted a brain network involved in cognitive challenges faced by people with schizophrenia. Building on insights from animal research, scientists identified that difficulties with tasks requiring attention to conflicting information are linked to weak communication between two key brain areas. This discovery introduces a potential biological marker for assessing cognitive function and tracking treatment progress in schizophrenia.</p>
<p>Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired emotional expression. Beyond these hallmark symptoms, individuals with schizophrenia often experience significant cognitive challenges, particularly in executive functions such as planning, decision-making, and adapting to new information.</p>
<p>These cognitive deficits can profoundly impact daily life, making it difficult for individuals to maintain relationships, hold jobs, or function independently. Despite advances in understanding the disorder, effective treatments for these cognitive impairments remain limited, leaving a critical gap in care.</p>
<p>The motivation behind the new research stemmed from the need to address this gap by identifying objective, biological markers of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Currently, the diagnosis and assessment of schizophrenia largely rely on subjective clinical observations and self-reports. While these methods can identify psychotic symptoms, they do not provide a clear picture of the underlying cognitive deficits or how these deficits might change with treatment.</p>
<p>Additionally, traditional antipsychotic medications, while effective at reducing psychotic symptoms for many, often have little to no impact on cognitive impairments. This has led researchers to explore alternative ways to understand and address the cognitive challenges faced by individuals with schizophrenia.</p>
<p>The rationale for the study was rooted in decades of neuroscience research pointing to dysfunction in specific brain circuits as a key factor in schizophrenia. In particular, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—a region responsible for higher-order thinking—and the mediodorsal thalamus—a brain area involved in filtering and prioritizing information—are known to play critical roles in executive functions.</p>
<p>Prior studies in animals and humans have highlighted the importance of the connections between these two brain regions in managing uncertainty and resolving conflicts during decision-making. However, translating these findings into clinically meaningful tools for schizophrenia has remained a challenge.</p>
<p>“I am a physician scientist; I have a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania and got my psychiatry training at Mass General Hospital. I have been running a basic science lab that researches cognition through animal behavior and neural recordings over the last decade,” said study author <a href="https://halassalab.tufts.edu/">Michael Halassa</a>, the director of translational research in the Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University and author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3DDGKF9"><em>The Thalamus</em></a>.</p>
<p>“Our major contribution to the field is the discovery that the thalamus (a structure buried deep in the brain) regulates the prefrontal cortex. This regulation determines how the prefrontal cortex processes incoming information and plans thoughts and actions. The prefrontal cortex is known to be abnormal in schizophrenia and we wanted to understand whether the thalamus is involved in this abnormality based on our animal studies.”</p>
<p>The research involved three experiments, integrating behavioral and brain imaging methods to examine how individuals with schizophrenia respond to uncertainty and conflicting information.</p>
<p>The researchers conducted Experiment 1 to establish a connection between behavioral responses to ambiguous cues and specific patterns of brain activity, particularly focusing on the functional relationship between the mediodorsal thalamus and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.</p>
<p>To achieve this, the researchers recruited 42 participants: 24 diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 18 healthy controls. Participants completed a novel decision-making task in which they responded to visual or auditory cues. These cues varied in clarity, introducing different levels of uncertainty. For example, some cues were straightforward, making it easy to decide which stimulus to prioritize, while others were ambiguous, requiring the participants to resolve conflicting information.</p>
<p>The task was conducted while participants’ brain activity was monitored using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This setup allowed the researchers to assess both behavioral performance and the connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.</p>
<p>The results revealed that individuals with schizophrenia performed similarly to healthy controls when the cues were clear and unambiguous. However, their performance deteriorated when the cues were ambiguous or when conflicting information was presented. fMRI scans showed that this performance drop correlated with weaker connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This finding highlighted the role of this neural network in managing uncertainty and suggested a potential biomarker for executive dysfunction in schizophrenia.</p>
<p>Building on the findings of Experiment 1, the researchers conducted Experiment 2 to validate their results in a larger, more diverse sample. They also aimed to determine whether the neural connectivity patterns observed in the first experiment were predictive of broader cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. This step was essential to establish the reliability and generalizability of their findings and to investigate whether these patterns could serve as a biomarker for executive dysfunction.</p>
<p>For this experiment, the researchers analyzed data from 172 individuals, including 96 with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 76 healthy controls. Participants underwent resting-state fMRI scans, which measure spontaneous brain activity, and completed standardized neuropsychological assessments. These assessments evaluated various cognitive abilities, such as working memory, attention, and processing speed. The researchers specifically examined the connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and analyzed how these patterns correlated with participants’ cognitive performance.</p>
<p>The results confirmed the findings of Experiment 1. Weaker connectivity between the mediodorsal thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with poorer performance on tasks requiring executive function, particularly in individuals with schizophrenia.</p>
<p>Importantly, the researchers observed that this neural connectivity was specifically predictive of working memory performance when the task involved conflicting information. This correlation was not observed in tasks without conflict, suggesting that the mediodorsal thalamus–dorsolateral prefrontal cortex network plays a critical role in managing cognitive interference. These findings reinforced the potential of this neural connectivity as a biomarker for executive dysfunction in schizophrenia.</p>
<p>Experiment 3 was designed to directly observe the engagement of the mediodorsal thalamus–dorsolateral prefrontal cortex network in a task that required cognitive flexibility. While the first two experiments established the relationship between this neural network and executive dysfunction, they relied on resting-state connectivity or offline task performance. To provide further evidence of the network’s role in managing conflict, the researchers needed to examine its real-time activation during a dynamic task.</p>
<p>The researchers recruited 32 healthy participants who performed a probabilistic task-switching experiment during fMRI scanning. This task required participants to adjust their strategies when rules changed unpredictably. For example, participants learned to associate specific tactile patterns with a particular response (e.g., “Go” or “NoGo”) but had to switch strategies when the associations were reversed. This setup required participants to resolve cognitive conflict and adapt their behavior to maximize rewards, providing a robust test of cognitive flexibility.</p>
<p>The results showed that the mediodorsal thalamus–dorsolateral prefrontal cortex network was actively engaged during moments of strategy switching. Specifically, the right mediodorsal thalamus exhibited heightened activation during rule reversals, and its connectivity with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly strengthened.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the strength of this connectivity correlated with participants’ ability to switch strategies quickly and effectively. These findings provided direct evidence that this neural network is essential for managing cognitive conflict and adapting to new information, confirming its role in executive function.</p>
<p>“We applied a new test to schizophrenia patients based on a decade of animal studies, and this test engaged a network involving the thalamus and the prefrontal cortex,” Halassa explained. “How this network engaged was abnormal in schizophrenia, which might helps us categorize schizophrenia better, predict treatment responses, and develop new targeted interventions.”</p>
<p>Halassa added that he was surprised “that animal studies were as predictive as they were given the history of failures from several groups in the past.”</p>
<p>While the study opens exciting possibilities, it is not without limitations. The first experiment’s relatively small sample size restricted the generalizability of its findings and limited the ability to explore demographic variables such as age and sex. Moreover, while the second and third experiments validated and extended the findings, they did not include direct brain-behavior measurements during task performance in patients with schizophrenia. Future studies could address these gaps by conducting larger, more inclusive experiments and incorporating patient data into tasks performed during brain imaging.</p>
<p>The researchers envision several applications for their findings. The identified biomarker could lead to objective diagnostic tools for schizophrenia, reducing reliance on subjective assessments. Furthermore, by targeting the mediodorsal thalamus–dorsolateral prefrontal cortex network, treatments such as non-invasive brain stimulation could be developed to improve cognitive function in patients.</p>
<p>Halassa expressed his gratitude “to the trainees who did all the work and to past and present members of the lab who made all these discoveries possible.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101802">A prefrontal thalamocortical readout for conflict-related executive dysfunction in schizophrenia</a>,” was authored by Anna S. Huang, Ralf D. Wimmer, Norman H. Lam, Bin A. Wang, Sahil Suresh, Maxwell J. Roeske, Burkhard Pleger, Michael M. Halassa, and Neil D. Woodward.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/study-uncovers-link-between-dream-incoherence-and-dissociative-symptoms/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Study uncovers link between dream incoherence and dissociative symptoms</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 30th 2024, 16:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>A recent study published in <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810024000758" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Consciousness and Cognition</a></em> explores the intriguing connection between dream experiences and dissociative symptoms, shedding light on how disrupted sleep patterns and dream coherence may influence an individual’s sense of self. The researchers found that the content and structure of dreams, particularly the stability of a first-person perspective and narrative coherence, can predict dissociative tendencies. These findings suggest that disturbances in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may contribute to dissociative experiences, with potential implications for understanding and treating related symptoms.</p>
<p>Dissociation, often described as a detachment from reality or one’s sense of self, is a complex phenomenon that can manifest as depersonalization, memory lapses, or a fragmented sense of identity. It is commonly associated with trauma but remains poorly understood in terms of its underlying mechanisms.</p>
<p>Previous research has suggested that dissociation might be linked to disruptions in REM sleep—the stage of sleep associated with vivid dreaming. REM disturbances, such as nightmares, sleep paralysis, or dream enactment, are often reported by individuals with high levels of dissociation.</p>
<p>However, the specific role of dream characteristics in predicting dissociative traits had not been thoroughly examined. Lead author John Balch and his colleagues aimed to investigate whether the coherence of dream content and other phenomenological aspects of dreaming could offer insights into dissociative symptoms.</p>
<p>The study recruited 219 adult participants through online platforms, ensuring a diverse sample in terms of age, gender, and socioeconomic background. To assess dissociative symptoms, participants completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), a widely used measure of dissociation. Based on their scores, participants were divided into high- and low-dissociation groups. The high-dissociation group scored above 30 on the DES, a threshold often associated with clinically significant dissociative symptoms.</p>
<p>In addition to completing surveys on sleep quality, nightmare distress, and paranormal beliefs, a subset of participants participated in a two-week home study. This involved wearing a headband equipped with EEG sensors to record REM sleep patterns and keeping a dream diary. Participants were asked to describe their dreams in detail each morning, and the content was analyzed for coherence, narrative structure, and the use of first-person perspective.</p>
<p>Balch and his colleagues employed computational linguistic tools to assess dream reports, focusing on coherence within individual dreams and across consecutive nights. Measures included the use of first-person pronouns, the logical flow of narratives, and semantic consistency. By examining these factors, the researchers sought to identify patterns that might distinguish individuals with high dissociation from those with lower levels of dissociation.</p>
<p>The results showed several key differences between the high- and low-dissociation groups in terms of sleep patterns and dream experiences. Participants in the high-dissociation group reported greater distress from nightmares and exhibited higher levels of REM-related disturbances, such as dream enactment behaviors and lucid dreaming. Notably, their dreams were characterized by reduced first-person agency, fragmented narratives, and lower coherence across consecutive dream reports.</p>
<p>One of the most significant findings was that dream coherence—both within a single dream and across multiple nights—predicted dissociative tendencies. Participants whose dreams displayed a fragmented or chaotic structure were more likely to report dissociative symptoms. For example, a lack of continuity in dream topics and an inconsistent use of first-person perspective were strongly associated with higher DES scores. These patterns suggest that dissociation may involve a disruption in the brain’s ability to maintain a stable sense of self, both during sleep and wakefulness.</p>
<p>The study also identified prolonged sleep onset times in the high-dissociation group, which the researchers attributed to sleep-avoidant behaviors driven by fear of distressing dreams. Interestingly, while high-dissociation participants showed slightly higher percentages of REM sleep, the difference was not statistically significant. This finding challenges assumptions about REM duration and highlights the need to focus on the quality and phenomenology of REM experiences rather than quantity alone.</p>
<p>Future research could expand on these findings by incorporating larger and more diverse samples, as well as longitudinal designs to track changes in dissociation and dream characteristics over time. The researchers also suggested exploring interventions that target dream coherence, such as lucid dreaming training or cognitive behavioral therapies, as potential treatments for dissociative symptoms.</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2024.103708" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sleep and dream disturbances associated with dissociative experiences</a>,” was authored by John Balch, Rachel Raider, Joni Keith, Chanel Reed, Jordan Grafman, and Patrick McNamara.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/american-parents-more-likely-to-find-hitting-children-acceptable-compared-to-hitting-pets/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">American parents more likely to find hitting children acceptable compared to hitting pets</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 30th 2024, 14:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>American parents hold conflicting beliefs about spanking, viewing it both as a form of hitting and as less severe than hitting. This study was published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000535"><em>Psychology of Violence</em></a>.</p>
<p>Elizabeth T. Gershoff and colleagues examined American parents’ beliefs about spanking, a form of physical punishment legal across all U.S. states, but opposed by major health organizations for its <a href="https://www.psypost.org/spanking-predicts-lower-cognitive-skills-in-children-study-finds/">documented</a> <a href="https://www.psypost.org/longitudinal-study-provides-more-evidence-that-spanking-might-harm-kids-early-developmental-skills/">harms</a> to children. Despite growing evidence against its effectiveness, spanking is a common disciplinary method.</p>
<p>Motivated by the legal and cultural contradictions surrounding physical punishment, the researchers examined how parents reconcile their use of spanking with broader societal norms rejecting violence against adults and pets.</p>
<p>The study recruited 286 U.S. parents of children aged 0-8 years through Prolific. The final sample was predominantly White (85%), married (83%), and middle-income, with an average age of 33 years.</p>
<p>Participants were asked to provide their definitions of spanking in an open-ended format, generate synonyms, and rate the severity of spanking compared to other terms like “hitting,” “smacking,” and “slapping.” They also evaluated the acceptability of hitting within families, including scenarios involving children, spouses, elderly parents, and pets, and provided justifications for their responses. Parents also reflected on whether the survey influenced their views on spanking and explained why if their beliefs had changed.</p>
<p>A significant majority (90%) agreed with a definition of spanking that included the term “hitting,” yet many viewed spanking as less severe than hitting. When prompted to define spanking, about one-third of participants explicitly used words like “hitting” or “striking,” while others referenced milder terms like “smacking” or “swatting.”</p>
<p>Parents also demonstrated a clear hierarchy of perceived severity among physical punishment terms, with some forms (e.g., “beating”) seen as significantly more severe than spanking, while others (e.g., “tapping” or “swatting”) were deemed less severe.</p>
<p>In evaluating the acceptability of hitting within families, parents were more likely to find hitting children (30%) acceptable compared to hitting pets (17%), spouses (1%), or elderly parents (0%). Parents’ open-ended responses often justified spanking as a necessary disciplinary measure, particularly when other methods failed, or as a means to ensure children’s safety in specific situations.</p>
<p>Interestingly, nearly one-third of parents reported that completing the survey prompted them to reconsider their views on spanking. Many highlighted the comparison between hitting children and other forms of family violence as a catalyst for this change, with some expressing regret about past instances of spanking.</p>
<p>Of note is that the study’s cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions.</p>
<p>The research, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000535">Spare the Dog, Hit the Child: Preliminary Findings Regarding Parents’ Beliefs About Spanking and Hitting Children</a>,” was authored by Elizabeth T. Gershoff, Shawna J. Lee, Joyce Y. Lee, Olivia D. Chang, and Catherine A. Taylor.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/men-in-relationships-have-better-sexual-functioning-regardless-of-sexual-orientation-study-finds/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Men in relationships have better sexual functioning, regardless of sexual orientation, study finds</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 30th 2024, 12:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>A new study published in the <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-024-03006-0"><em>Archives of Sexual Behavior</em></a> has found that men in relationships experience higher levels of sexual functioning compared to their single counterparts, regardless of sexual orientation. The research also revealed that sociosexuality—individuals’ openness to casual sexual encounters—only weakly predicts variations in sexual function. These findings suggest that male sexual functioning may be more closely aligned with long-term relationship maintenance than short-term mating strategies.</p>
<p>To address gaps in previous research, the authors of new study aimed to explore the relationship between male sexual functioning, mating strategies, sociosexuality, and sexual orientation. They hypothesized that men in relationships would exhibit better sexual performance due to its role in maintaining stable partnerships, while sociosexuality might predict sexual functioning due to their experience with diverse partners. By including men of diverse sexual orientations, the study sought to clarify whether male sexual functioning is a universal or variable aspect of human mating psychology.</p>
<p>“Sexual function in sexual minorities remains underexplored, as most studies tend to focus on heterosexual populations. Often, the interest in investigating evolutionary hypotheses places greater emphasis on heterosexual individuals. However, a deeper understanding of the evolution of sexual behavior can only be achieved by including data on individual differences, such as people’s sexual orientation,” said study author <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mauro-Silva-Junior">Mauro Silva Júnior</a>, an assistant professor at the University of Brasília.</p>
<p>“Moreover, sexual function has a strong evolutionary component, as it is a necessary condition for reproduction. Even though non-heterosexual individuals may not engage in relationships leading to reproduction, they possess all the psychological and physiological mechanisms for it. Therefore, investigating men of any sexual orientation is an important step in understanding the variables associated with better or worse sexual function.”</p>
<p>The researchers recruited 427 healthy Brazilian men from diverse cities across the country. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 65, with an average age of 28.8 years. They represented various sexual orientations, including 203 heterosexuals, 77 bisexuals, and 147 gay men. Participants were carefully screened to exclude those with health conditions or treatments known to affect sexual functioning, ensuring the sample reflected a non-clinical population.</p>
<p>The men completed several questionnaires, including the Male Sexual Function Index, which evaluates sexual functioning across five domains: desire, arousal, erection, orgasm, and satisfaction. To assess sociosexuality, participants also completed a survey measuring their attitudes, behaviors, and desires related to casual sex. Relationship status was categorized as “partnered” (including those who were married or dating) or “single” (including single and divorced men).</p>
<p>The researchers found that men in relationships reported higher levels of sexual arousal, erection quality, orgasm frequency, and satisfaction compared to single men. These results suggest that being in a stable relationship provides a context that enhances male sexual functioning. In contrast, sociosexuality had only weak associations with sexual functioning. For instance, men with more liberal <em>attitudes</em> toward casual sex reported slightly better erectile functioning, but sociosexual <em>behaviors</em>, such as the number of casual partners, showed no significant impact on sexual function.</p>
<p>“I was surprised that sociosexuality, the willingness to engage in casual sex, turned out to be a poor predictor of sexual function,” Silva Júnior told PsyPost. “I expected a different result because sociosexuality is one of the components of short-term sexual strategies and, as such, is associated with a range of other psychological characteristics important for these strategies, such as sexual disgust, extradyadic relationships, and risky sexual behavior.”</p>
<p>Sexual orientation also had little influence on male sexual functioning. While bisexual men reported slightly lower arousal levels than heterosexual and gay men, these differences were minimal and did not extend to other aspects of sexual functioning. Overall, sexual orientation was not a strong predictor of sexual performance, supporting the idea that male sexual functioning is a universal aspect of human mating psychology.</p>
<p>The researchers interpreted these findings through an evolutionary lens. Long-term relationships may provide an environment conducive to sexual and emotional intimacy, which enhances sexual functioning. This aligns with the theory that mate retention strategies are supported by mechanisms like improved sexual performance, ensuring relationship stability and reproductive success.</p>
<p>“I believe the main message of the study is that sexual function was associated with being in a romantic relationship rather than being single or having multiple romantic partners—regardless of sexual orientation,” Silva Júnior explained. “We hypothesize that this occurs because, although humans reproduce through various sexual strategies, the primary strategy is undoubtedly through building and maintaining long-term relationships. In such relationships, it is more likely to find greater intimacy and comfort during sex, less performance-related anxiety, and fewer uncertainties about the preferences of partners with whom we have little or no prior experience.”</p>
<p>While the study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations. The sample predominantly consisted of young, white, and relatively well-educated individuals, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, which can be influenced by social desirability and recall biases.</p>
<p>The cross-sectional design also prevents causal conclusions. For example, it remains unclear whether being in a relationship enhances sexual functioning or whether men with better sexual performance are more likely to enter and maintain relationships. Future longitudinal studies could address this question by tracking changes in sexual functioning over time.</p>
<p>“The primary goal of this research is to investigate the similarities and differences among men of various sexual orientations,” Silva Júnior said. “While some studies tend to emphasize differences in sexual psychology, particularly due to the discrimination that gay and bisexual men still face, another perspective suggests that, despite these cultural differences, gay and bisexual men are men just like heterosexuals. They share the same psychological traits that were selected over millions of years.</p>
<p>“Perhaps they differ fundamentally in very specific contexts, such as upbringing and social acceptance, but this does not alter the common male sexual psychology they share. Our study demonstrated precisely this: sexual orientation was a very weak predictor of sexual function.”</p>
<p>“I believe that despite the challenges in sampling individuals of different sexual orientations and/or genders, we researchers must not shy away from making this effort,” Silva Júnior added. “Doing so will greatly enhance our understanding of human sexual behavior, including for researchers approaching it from an evolutionary perspective.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-03006-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Relationship Status Rather than Sociosexuality or Sexual Orientation Predicts Male Sexual Functioning</a>,” was authored by Maria Luíza R. S. de Souza, Adna J. Silva, Jaroslava Varella Valentova, and Mauro Dias Silva Júnior.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="font:13px Helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; background-color:#fff; padding:8px; margin-bottom:6px; border:1px solid #adadad;" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://www.psypost.org/childhood-neglect-is-linked-to-troubling-health-outcomes-but-two-factors-can-dramatically-change-this-trajectory-study-suggests/" style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing:-1px;margin:0;padding:0 0 2px;font-weight: bold;font-size: 19px;line-height: 20px;color:#222;">Childhood neglect is linked to troubling health outcomes, but two factors can dramatically change this trajectory, study suggests</a>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;color:#999;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;line-height:15px;">Dec 30th 2024, 10:00</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#494949;text-align:justify;font-size:13px;">
<p><p>New research published in <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213424004654" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Child Abuse & Neglect</a></em> has found that childhood neglect increases the likelihood of various adverse health outcomes in adulthood. However, having a heightened socioeconomic status and the presence of a protective adult during childhood substantially weaken this association, suggesting that supportive relationships can play a critical role in mitigating long-term harm.</p>
<p>Childhood neglect is the most prevalent form of maltreatment globally, yet its long-term health consequences and the factors that can mitigate its effects remain underexplored. Neglect involves a failure to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs, which can have pervasive effects on health and well-being. Despite robust evidence linking childhood maltreatment to adverse outcomes, less is known about the protective factors that can buffer against these outcomes.</p>
<p>“My research for the past 15 years has examined the association between childhood physical abuse and sexual abuse and later-life health outcomes. Although childhood neglect is very common, we did not know whether children who were neglected but not physically or sexually abused are at elevated risk of poor health outcomes in adulthood,” said study author Esme Fuller-Thomson, the director of the Institute for <a href="https://aging.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Life Course & Aging</a> at the University of Toronto.</p>
<p>The researchers used data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationwide survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This survey collects health-related data from non-institutionalized adults in the United States. The study sample consisted of over 41,000 adults who had not experienced physical or sexual abuse but reported varying levels of childhood neglect.</p>
<p>Neglect was assessed through participants’ responses to whether an adult in their household consistently tried to meet their basic needs during childhood. Outcomes measured included physical health indicators (such as stroke, asthma, and cognitive impairments), mental health conditions (including depression), and health behaviors (such as smoking and physical activity). The presence of a protective adult was gauged by participants’ recollections of whether there was an adult who made them feel safe and protected during childhood.</p>
<p>Childhood neglect was associated with a broad range of negative outcomes in adulthood, including chronic physical conditions, disabilities, and mental health disorders. Adults who experienced neglect were also more likely to engage in harmful health behaviors, such as smoking, and less likely to participate in regular physical activity.</p>
<p>“Childhood neglect is significantly associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes, even in the absence of childhood physical and sexual abuse,” Fuller-Thomson told PsyPost. “In particular we found that childhood neglect was associated with physical health conditions including stroke, asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), disabilities such as hearing impairment, vision impairment, cognitive impairment, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, difficulty bathing, and depression.”</p>
<p>These relationships, however, were influenced by the presence of socioeconomic advantages and supportive relationships during childhood. Adjusting for socioeconomic factors, such as education and income, significantly weakened the associations between neglect and adverse health outcomes. For example, the link between neglect and smoking became statistically insignificant when socioeconomic status was accounted for.</p>
<p>“We found that the relationship between child neglect and adverse health outcomes in adulthood was not nearly as strong if the neglected children were able to complete post-secondary education and had reasonable financial security in adulthood,” Fuller-Thomson explained. “Those with more education and better income as adults appeared to be less vulnerable to health problems in later life than their neglected peers who dropped out of school earlier.”</p>
<p>“Our findings emphasize the importance of mentoring interventions and other community- based supports for neglected children, and the need for interventions to ensure neglected children have the resources and encouragement to remain in school as long as possible.”</p>
<p>The presence of a protective adult had an even greater impact. When a protective adult was factored into the analysis, many associations between neglect and negative health outcomes disappeared. For instance, the relationship between neglect and mental health conditions, such as depression and poor emotional well-being, was substantially diminished or eliminated when a protective adult was present during childhood.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, in some cases, having a protective adult appeared to reverse the effects of neglect. Adults who experienced neglect but had a supportive adult in their lives were less likely to report depression than those who did not experience neglect. This finding suggests that positive relationships can foster resilience and even lead to better mental health outcomes in adulthood.</p>
<p>While the findings provide valuable insights, some limitations should be noted. The study relied on self-reported data, which is subject to recall bias and may not fully capture the severity or nature of neglect. The measure of neglect was also broad, encompassing both physical and emotional neglect, which may have conflated different types of adverse experiences. Additionally, the study was cross-sectional, meaning it captured data at a single point in time. This design limits the ability to determine causation.</p>
<p>“Although the sample size is large, the survey was cross-sectional and the information on childhood neglect was based upon respondents’ recollections of childhood adversities,” Fuller-Thomson said. “Prospective research following neglected children as they age would have been preferable. In addition, the respondents were not asked if they experienced emotional abuse. We hypothesize that the health of those who were neglected and emotionally abused would be worse than those who were neglected due to household poverty, but were in a warm and loving home environment.”</p>
<p>The study underscores the profound impact of childhood neglect on long-term health outcomes while highlighting the role of socioeconomic status and supportive relationships in mitigating these effects.</p>
<p>“We hope to understand more about the association between childhood neglect and later-life health and to understand how best to help promote better health outcomes among survivors of neglect,” Fuller-Thomson said. “We would like health professionals to consider the potential impact of childhood neglect and abuse on later-life health of their parents and perhaps have more targeted outreach and preventive health interventions for those most at risk.”</p>
<p>The study, “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107075" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What factors attenuate the relationship between childhood neglect and adverse health outcomes? Examining the role of socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and the presence of a protective adult</a>,” was authored by Linxiao Zhang, Ishnaa Gulati, Andie MacNeil, and Esme Fuller-Thomson.</p></p>
</div>
<div style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:13px; text-align: center; color: #666666; padding:4px; margin-bottom:2px;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Forwarded by:<br />
Michael Reeder LCPC<br />
Baltimore, MD</strong></p>
<p><strong>This information is taken from free public RSS feeds published by each organization for the purpose of public distribution. Readers are linked back to the article content on each organization's website. This email is an unaffiliated unofficial redistribution of this freely provided content from the publishers. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><s><small><a href="#" style="color:#ffffff;"><a href="https://blogtrottr.com/unsubscribe/565/DY9DKf">unsubscribe from this feed</a></a></small></s></p>