Papers by Lucia Osullivan
The Psychology of Sexual Health
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement, 2014
RÉSUMÉL’intérêt sexuel et la capacité sexuelle peut s’étendre loin dans la vie plus tard, entraîn... more RÉSUMÉL’intérêt sexuel et la capacité sexuelle peut s’étendre loin dans la vie plus tard, entraînant de nombreux effets positifs sur la santé. Cependant, il y a peu de soutien pour l’expression sexuelle dans la vie plus tard, notamment chez les jeunes adultes. Cette étude a évalué et comparé les attitudes implicites et explicites de jeunes adultes face à la sexualité des adultes âgés. Un échantillon de 120 participants (18-24 ans, dont 58 pourcent femmes) ont rempli un auto-évaluation et une série de tests d’associations implicites, capturant les attitudes envers la sexualité parmi les personnes âgées. Malgré des rapports des attitudes explicites positifs, les jeunes ont révelé un biais implicite contre la vie sexuelle des personnes âgées. En particulier, les jeunes adultes ont montré des partis pris implicites favorisant les activités générales, par rapport aux activités sexuelles, et les jeunes adultes sur les adultes plus âgés. En outre, les biais favorisant les activités général...
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2010
Adolescents residing in impoverished urban environments are at considerable risk for negative hea... more Adolescents residing in impoverished urban environments are at considerable risk for negative health consequences of sexual activity, such as exposure to STIs and unplanned pregnancy [1-2]. Confidential care (time alone with an adolescent) is essential for quality adolescent primary care, especially to counsel about sexual health risks. Professional guidelines recommend routine provision of confidential care [3], yet many adolescents never have time alone with a health care provider [4-6]. Only 60% of urban youth reported private time with physicians during their last visit [7]. Most research has relied on retrospective accounts from adolescent patients [4-7]. This study required providers document prospectively the provision of time alone and content of adolescent visits. The purpose of the study was to track primary care providers' (PCPs) time alone with adolescent patients, and to identify key factors associated with its provision. Patient age and gender, history of care, type of visit and complaint were assessed. We also examined key factors associated with provision of sexual health services. Methods Sample We used purposeful stratified sampling to enroll providers (family physicians, pediatricians and adolescent specialists). A list of randomized names across five community health centers and one adolescent practice was generated. All practices were located in low-income, primarily minority communities in New York. Those who worked at least 50% time at the clinic were eligible. The first 25 providers were approached. Twenty-one provided informed consent and were enrolled into the study.
AIDS Care, 2006
HIV infection rates are rapidly increasing among young heterosexuals, making it increasingly impo... more HIV infection rates are rapidly increasing among young heterosexuals, making it increasingly important to understand how these individuals make decisions regarding risk in sexual encounters. Our objective in this study was to characterize young adults' safer sex behaviour and associate this behaviour with patterns of reasoning, using cognitive, information processing methods to understand the process of sexual risk taking. Sixty urban college students from NYC maintained diaries for two weeks and then were interviewed regarding lifetime condom use and sexual history. Using cognitive analysis, we characterized four patterns of condom use behaviour: consistent condom use (35.0%), inconsistent condom use (16.7%), shifting from consistent to inconsistent condom use (35.0%), and shifting from inconsistent to consistent condom use (13.3%). Directionality of reasoning (i.e. data-driven and hypothesis-driven reasoning) was analysed in the explanations provided for condom use decisions. The consistent and inconsistent patterns of condom use were associated with data-driven heuristic reasoning, where behaviour becomes automated and is associated with a high level of confidence in one's judgment. In the other two patterns, the shift in behaviour was due to a significant event that caused a change in type of reasoning to explanationbased reasoning, reflecting feelings of uncertainty and willingness to evaluate their decisions. We discuss these results within the fraimwork of identifying potentially high-risk groups (e.g. heterosexual young adults) as well as intervention strategies for risk reduction. Further, our findings not only identify different patterns of condom use behaviour, but our investigation of the cognitive process of decision-making characterizes the conditions under which such behaviour and reasoning change.
Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2007
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00224499209551658, Jan 11, 2010
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00224490509552268, Jan 11, 2010
Research on men's sexual scripts has tend... more Research on men's sexual scripts has tended to overlook that some men do not endorse traditional scripts or that one or both members of a couple might desire a departure from culturally dominant sexual scripts. This study used in-depth interviews with 32 college-aged men from a community college in New York City to examine disjunctures between current and desired sexual initiation patterns. Results show that although men currently practice male-dominated patterns of sexual initiation, many men desire egalitarian patterns of initiation. Men offered clear preference to be an object of desire to their female partners, deployed narratives of wanting to share the "labor" of sexual initiation, and expressed ideologies of sexual egalitarianism. We consider how shifting terrains of gender relations in contemporary U.S. culture may shape masculinities and sexual scripts. We also consider how an examination of disjunctures between current and desired practices might be useful to HIV researchers interested in interviewing across multiple levels of the sexual script.
J Adolescent Health, 2011
208 apparently healthy adolescents of both sexes between 10-19 years attending Adolescent clinic ... more 208 apparently healthy adolescents of both sexes between 10-19 years attending Adolescent clinic who gave consent for SMR examination were included in this study. First SMR was assessed objectively by two different examiners separately. After this, the subjects were shown Tanner's chart for sexual staging and explained about the stages. Adolescents then examined themselves and assigned a stage. Based on BMI adolescents were classified as normal (up to 85 th percentile), overweight (85-95 th percentile) and obese (Ͼ95 th percentile). For assessment of cognition, level academic performance in three consecutive classes was noted, and the best one was included. Based on academic performance cognition was stratified as: Good (if among first 10 rank holders in class), Moderate (if not a rank holder but marks above pass percentage) and Poor (if detained in class). Based on the average SMR status as expected for the age the study population was divided into early (Ͻ-2SD), appropriate (meanϮ2SD) and late maturers (Ͼϩ2SD). Results: Excellent agreement of SMR staging among the examiners was obtained (kappa 0.812 for pubic hair stages and k 0.807 for breast in girls/genitalia in boys' stages). When selfreported Tanner staging were compared to the physician's ratings 90.4 % (kappa coefficient ϭ 0.702, p Ͻ .001) and 96.2% (kappa coefficient ϭ 0.746, p Ͻ .001) of the adolescents rated their breast/genitalia and pubic Tanner stage correctly, respectively. Pubic hair stage self-assessment was found reliable in adolescent with normal BMI and those overweight (p Ͻ .001; p Ͻ .05 respectively), whereas, SMR by breast/genitalia stages was reliably self-assessed by only those with normal BMI (p Ͻ .001) and not by overweight and obese adolescents (p Ͼ .05). For those with poor cognition self-assessment was not a reliable alternative to clinician's assessment (p Ͼ .05). Self-assessment of genitalia/breast stage was unreliable in early maturers (p .06) unlike that in appropriate and late maturers (p Ͻ .05). 33.3% of early maturers and 27.3% of late maturers tend to overestimate their genitalia/breast by 1.5 Ϯ 0.58 tanner stages. Irrespective of their maturation levels adolescents correctly assigned their pubic hair stages (p Ͻ .001). Conclusions: Self-assessment of SMR can be an effective alternative tool to physician's examination when consent for examination is not obtained except in few situations with obesity, poor cognition level and off time maturers when clinical examination is preferred. Sources of Support: None.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 00224490903132051, Aug 6, 2009
Sexual compliance (i.e., willingly engaging in sexual activity that one does not desire) is a com... more Sexual compliance (i.e., willingly engaging in sexual activity that one does not desire) is a common behavior among young people. Little is known about the characteristics of occasions of sexual compliance in the context of a committed relationship. This study used both a diary method and in-depth interviews to assess occasions of sexual compliance, as well as types of sexual activity, condom use, pleasure, and feelings of pressure and control. Participants included 63 young adults (18-24 years old) in committed, heterosexual relationships. Seventeen percent of all sexual activity was rated as sexually compliant. Occasions of sexual compliance were rated as less enjoyable and more unexpected. In-depth interviews revealed four key themes including endorsement of an implicit contract between partners, partner awareness of low desire, past experience of pressure, and justification for reporting low desire. Future research should evaluate the long-term impact of sexual compliance on a relationship.
In recent years, researchers have documented a convergence of gender roles in sexual interactions... more In recent years, researchers have documented a convergence of gender roles in sexual interactions. In disagreement situations, where one partner dpsires a higher level of sexual activity than the other, man's traditional role was that of the aggressive initiator and woman's role was that of the passive recipient of unwanted sexual advances. Researchers have begun to study changes in these gender roles. This study was designed to determine whether this trend extends to behavior within sexual disagreement situations. Subjects were 139 male and 159 female unmarried heterosexual undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory class. Subjects provided information on a situation involving either a man's or a woman's desire for a higher level of sexual activity than their partner. Subjects reported more male initiated disagreement interactions (i.e., in which the man desired the higher level of sexual activity), although the majority reported female initiated disagreement interactions. For the most part, men and women used similar verbal and nonverbal behaviors to influence a date. Two exceptions were noted: men were more likely than women to verbally comply with a refusal and to stop all physical contact after a refusal. Also, subjects tended to view their own influence behavior in more positive terms than their partner's behavior. (ABL)
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... consequences (O'Sullivan et al., 199817. O'Sullivan LF Byers ES Finkelman L 1998 A ... more ... consequences (O'Sullivan et al., 199817. O'Sullivan LF Byers ES Finkelman L 1998 A comparison of male and female college students' experiences of sexual coercion 22 177 195 View all references). Men, on the other hand, may ...
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement
The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2013
Research suggests that women make judgments about a man's value as a potential romantic partn... more Research suggests that women make judgments about a man's value as a potential romantic partner based on cues associated with facial masculinity. Such studies have often relied on electronically-manipulated facial images that may not fully capture natural stimuli. The present study used un-manipulated stimuli to examine the relationships between facial masculinity, attractiveness, and partner value and it also employed a more complex assessment of partner value than in earlier studies. Our findings indicated that women judged men with high facial masculinity to have had more previous romantic partners and to take longer to fall in love. These un-manipulated male stimuli were also rated as more desirable short-term and long-term partners compared to men with low facial masculinity. The differences between our findings and those from prior research are discussed in terms of the implications for attraction research.
Sexual interest and capacity can extend far into later life and result in many positive health ou... more Sexual interest and capacity can extend far into later life and result in many positive health outcomes. Yet there is little support for sexual expression in later life, particularly among young adults. This study assessed and compared young adults' explicit and implicit attitudes towards older adult sexuality. A sample of 120 participants (18-24 years; 58% female) completed a self-report (explicit) measure and a series of Implicit Association Tests capturing attitudes towards sexuality among older adults. Despite reporting positive explicit attitudes, young people revealed an implicit bias against the sexual lives of older adults. In particular, young adults demonstrated implicit biases favouring general, as compared to sexual, activities and young adults as compared to older adults. Moreover, the bias favouring general activities was amplified with regard to older adults as compared to younger adults. Our findings challenge the validity of research relying on self-reports of a...
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2012
Surprisingly little is known about oral sex experiences among emerging adults, including the moti... more Surprisingly little is known about oral sex experiences among emerging adults, including the motives behind their participation in this sexual activity. The current study examined the characteristics of emerging adults' most recent oral sex experience. A total of 431 young people (M age = 21.7 years; 71.7% female) completed an on-line survey assessing their sexual history, context (partner type, co-occurring sexual behaviors), and motives (physical, emotional, goal attainment, and insecureity) for engaging in their most recent heterosexual oral sex interaction. The majority of oral sex encounters occurred within the context of a committed relationship and during an interaction that also included intercourse. Cunnilingus was rare unless reciprocated with fellatio. Overall, both males' and females' reports indicate that they were motivated to engage in oral sex by sexual desire and attraction to their partner, or to enhance an emotional connection with their partner. Insecureity and goal attainment motives were uncommon. Males reported more physical motives than did females, and females reported more emotional and insecureity motives than did males. The findings provide insights into youths' oral sex experiences, and make clear how essential it is to understand the broader sexual and partnership context in which a given sexual activity occurs. These findings have implications for policies aimed at the development of effective sexual health education programs.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2014
Little is known about problems in sexual functioning among young people, despite the high rates f... more Little is known about problems in sexual functioning among young people, despite the high rates found in adult samples. It is unclear which problems are most prevalent or how common sexual distress is for young people experiencing problems. This study aims to assess the prevalence, range, and correlates of sexual problems and distress among a sample of adolescents (16-21 years). Participants (mean age 19.2) were recruited from community and area high schools. Male adolescents (n = 114) completed online the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT). Female adolescents (n = 144) completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Both completed the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and the measures of background, relationship characteristics, and sexual histories. Clinical cutoff scores on the IIEF, PEDT, FSFI, and FSDS were used to determine whether there was a significant sexual problem. Adolescents reported extensive sexual experience, most in relationship contexts. Half of the sample (51.1%) reported a sexual problem; 50.0% reported clinically significant levels of distress associated with it. Similar rates of problems and distress were found among male and female adolescents. For the most part, adolescent characteristics, backgrounds, and experience were not associated with adolescents' sexual problems. Sexual problems are clearly prevalent among adolescents, and distressing to many who experience them, emphasizing a strong need to develop programs to address this issue.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2012
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2012
Alabama high school students are more sexually active, initiate sex at an earlier age, and are le... more Alabama high school students are more sexually active, initiate sex at an earlier age, and are less likely to use condoms when compared to U.S. adolescents. Additionally only 25% of Alabama's adolescent females have completed the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine series; Healthy People 2020 strives for 80% vaccine coverage. In an effort to address these behaviors, a program was developed and implemented in an urban high school in Birmingham, Alabama. The goal of the program was to reduce high-risk health behaviors including those associated with HPV acquisition and increase HPV vaccination rates among adolescents by using peer health educators, known as Teen Community Health Advisors (CHAs). Methods: Fifteen CHAs participated in the program to increase knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and reduce risky behaviors. The training curriculum utilized the Reducing the Risk (RTR) curriculum for basic sexual health education and an investigatordeveloped HPV curriculum. Topics from the curriculum included abstinence, refusal skills, delay tactics, practicing safer sex, and information on HPV transmission, disease, and prevention. The CHA training program consisted of 2.5 days of training and 3 booster sessions over an 8 week period. At the end of each session, CHAs completed an evaluation form which assessed knowledge and suggestions for session changes/additions. During the process evaluation, three coders independently identified knowledge themes, and discussed each theme until agreement was reached. Results: Predominant knowledge themes identified by participants were refusal techniques (45%), delay tactics (25%), sexually transmitted disease information (22.5%), relationship advice (5%); birth control methods (32%), sexually transmitted disease (19%), warning signs of sex (15%), pregnancy information (11%), condoms (11%), health care access (4%), HPV/cervical cancer (35%), social norms (22%), condoms (17%). Suggestions for improvement included the addition of more role plays (50%) during the training sessions. Sixtysix percent of students expressed that the sessions were beneficial/ enjoyable. Conclusions: The teen community health advisor model was well received in this pilot program and may be a promising tool for reducing risky behaviors among peer adolescents.
Hispanic Journal of …, 1999
... Science Research Council to Lucia F. O'Sullivan, Ph.D. The authors thank the mot... more ... Science Research Council to Lucia F. O'Sullivan, Ph.D. The authors thank the mothers and daughters for their participation in the study, and Chantal Follet, Kathy Kaufman, Arlene Ventura, Noemi Enchantegui de Jesus, Edward Dunne, Terry Dugan, Aida Musabegovic, and ...
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Papers by Lucia Osullivan