About this Research Topic

Background

Human sexuality has been subjected to great taboo and controversies over the decades. The scientific study of sexuality related issues is possibly one of the most challenging areas of research, facing countless political and social demands. However, more recently, leading organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) have established sexual health and well-being as a key goal to be achieved by the worldwide population.

The new message that is being carried out by these entities, is that sexual health concerns not only the arena of reproductive issues and sexually transmitted diseases, but also aspects relating to intimate relationships, sexual pleasure, consented sexual relationships, gender and sexual orientation diversity, sexual functioning, among other aspects.

Within this regard, a strong focus has been put on the biopsychosocial factors shaping human sexuality. After several years of an almost exclusive focus on the organic factors underpinning sexual difficulties and behavior, we are now approaching new veins of research targeting the psychological factors, and the interplay role between organic, psychological, and social aspects influencing sexual health and well-being.

Indeed, the psychological dimensions are being considered in the main international guidelines for clinical intervention in sexual difficulties and dysfunction, promotion of sexual health and well-being, sexual education or even prevention of sexual exploitation. The psychological dimensions are framed within the conceptualizing models of human sexual response and functioning, models of interpersonal relationships or models of information processing. These psychological dimensions often include the cognitive and emotional factors underpinning sexual response, personality and psychopathology related variables, socio-cognitive variables, interpersonal/relationship variables and cultural aspects influencing sexual functioning and behavior.

In this Research Topic, authors are invited to submit their empirical work on the role of psychological dimensions in sexual health and behavior. The topics of research may include distinct methodology approaches, such as qualitative or quantitative research, laboratorial and experimental studies, dyadic studies, randomized clinical trials, etc. Findings are expected to add to the discussion of timely issues within this area, and help building bridges between science and human sexual rights.

The Guest Editors would like to express their profound gratitude to Dr. Filippo Nimbi for his valuable work in initiating this Research Topic and actively contributing to it.

Keywords: sexuality, sexual health, sexual dysfunction, sexual behavior, gender, sexual orientation, sexual minorities, psychological factors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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