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Gender is one of the main social markers that build subjectivity and is culturally shaped by the meanings and representations associated with sexual anatomic characteristics of an individual since birth. Despite the perceived advances in women's rights in the last few decades, sexism toward women has been conceptualized as a pervasive, chronic social stressor, outlining its association with a variety of negative physical and mental health outcomes. This review sheds light on the status of the gender-sensitive evidence in CBT available in Latin American databases. Our results from the Latin American databases context support the current critique that most CBT data produced worldwide tend to approach complex social phenomena using linear, subjective, or biological referential. Because of that, CBT has been commonly associated with a narrow, individualistic, and even stigmatizing perspective of minorities in general, and of women in particular, and failed to deliver gender-sensitive effective interventions for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in addressing sexual health issues in the Middle East and Arabic-speaking countries. It highlights the diverse sociocultural determinants that shape sexual behavior and health in these regions, emphasizing the need for researchers and health care professionals to understand and navigate these factors. The text calls for increased awareness, collaboration, and cultural competence in sexual medicine and psychotherapy, advocating for the integration of culturally and gender-sensitive sexual health programs to enhance well-being and health equity. [Extracted from the article]

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Vaginal penetration skills and behavior are considered different aspects of vaginal penetration. Nevertheless, these terms are used interchangeably in most genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) intervention studies, possibly impacting the assessment and selection of intervention outcomes. This is the first theoretical essay on the relevance of nonsexual vaginal penetration skills in understanding and treating GPPPD symptoms, mainly for patients with vaginismus complaints. We aim to provide avenues for further empirical research and new perspectives for assessing, preventing, and treating GPPPD symptoms. We highlight the conceptual boundaries, overlaps, and commonalities between vaginal penetration skills and vaginal penetration behavior and the implications for measuring and selecting GPPPD treatment outcomes. We then briefly explain vaginal penetration skills as a self-learning process and review the impact of fear, anxiety, and cognitive factors on GPPPD symptoms. We also outline the role of the nonsexual genital self-exploration skills in later penetration behavior and offer implications for a new GPPPD patient-centered treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual health is relevant throughout a person's life; however, studying human sexuality is complex and requires particular care when working with individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds. Much of the research addressing this subject has been conducted in Western countries, and that in non-Western countries is generally based on small sample sizes. The biopsychosocial nature of sexuality and its dysfunctions should be taken into consideration given that it is indispensable when conducting and assessing sexual studies in different countries and cultures. Therefore, culturally sensitive studies that consider cultural contexts and determinants as well as social markers are needed. The topic of sexuality in Arab culture is still enigmatic. This enigma has impacted the advancement of sexual science and limited researchers, health care practitioners, and patients. Thus, the aim of this systematic literature review was to find and assemble all scales and questionnaires regarding human sexual health that have been translated into Arabic and validated in order to promote a critical analysis of the methods used in each instrument and to inform readers and researchers of the limits and potential of each scale. Electronic databases were systematically searched, and eight instruments were selected for inclusion: the Arabic Index of Premature Ejaculation (AIPE), the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), the Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI), the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (AVFGSIS), the Arabic Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), the Egyptian Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-IR), the Saudi Arabian Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire in Arabic (PSIQ-IR), and the Arabic Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). All included instruments showed good validity and reliability for the target population. Future studies are needed to develop culturally sensitive instruments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an integrative review of psychometric instruments targeting sexual function and clinical measures of sexuality available to the Brazilian population. Our aim was to summarize the existing measures, indicating current development needs related to the quality of psychometric evidence, research design and untapped theoretical ground that could be relevant for clinical practice and research in sexuality. Electronic databases were searched. Additional records were found through a manual search. The general search terms and operators were (scale OR inventory OR questionnaire) AND (validation) AND (sexual beliefs OR sexuality OR sexual behavior OR sexual function OR sexual satisfaction) AND (Brazil or Brazilian). The results indicate a total of 18 developed or transculturally adapted and/or validated scales and questionnaires available in Brazilian Portuguese, covering sexual dysfunctions and clinical measures. Despite development, adaptation and validation efforts, there is a critical need for better psychometric and sampling strategies as well as norms for the clinical interpretation of test results. Ecological validity is also a challenge. At present, sexual assessments in Brazil offer some useful information, but reaching the applied clinical field remains a challenge.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2035869 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panic disorder (PD) patients often report respiratory symptoms and tend to perform poorly during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), at least partially, due to phobic anxiety. Thus, we hypothesized that a submaximal exercise variable, minimum VE/VO2 - hereafter named cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) -, may be useful in their clinical assessment. Data from 2,338 subjects were retrospectively analyzed and 52 (2.2%) patients diagnosed with PD (PDG) (70% women; aged 48±13 years). PD patients were compared with a healthy control group (CG) precisely matched to number of cases, age and gender profiles. PDG was further divided into two subgroups, based on having achieved a maximal or a submaximal CPX (unwilling to continue until exhaustion). We compared COP, VO2 max, maximum heart rate (HR max) between PDG and CG, and also COP between maximal and submaximal PD subgroups. COP was similar between PDG and CG (21.9±0.5 vs. 23.4±0.6; p = 0.07), as well as, for PD subgroups of maximal and submaximal CPX (22.0±0.5 vs. 21.6±1.3; p = 0.746). Additionally, PD patients completing a maximal CPX obtained VO2 max (mL.kg−1.min−1) (32.9±1.57 vs 29.6±1.48; p = 0.145) and HR max (bpm) similar to controls (173±2.0 vs 168±2.7; p = 0.178). No adverse complications occurred during CPX. Although clinically safe, it is sometimes difficult to obtain a true maximal CPX in PD patients. Normalcy of cardiorespiratory interaction at submaximal effort as assessed by COP may contribute to reassure both patients and physicians that there is no physiological substrate for exercise-related respiratory symptoms often reported by PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study which proposed and demonstrated the discrimination potential of the H-index of the citing articles, a new bibliography metrics, using the results of data analysis of a selected sample of Brazilian researchers in the physical exercise and sports field. It describes the research methods utilized. It concludes that the H-index of the citing articles can be effective to discriminate the scientific production of authors with most number of published works.

Copyright of Análise Psicológica is the property of Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Pulmonology / Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Psychosocial stress and depression have already been established as risk factors for developing and worsening cardiovascular diseases. Anxiety disorders are been strongly associated to cardiac problems nowadays. Panic disorder in cardiac patients represents a challenge for diagnose and treatment. Update the reader on the status of the association between anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, in cardiac patients. Method: Were retrieved papers published at ISI and Medline databases since 1998. Key-words used were: "heart disease", "coronary disease", "anxiety", "panic disorder" and "autonomic function". Discussion: The characteristic autonomic pattern found in patients with panic disorder, particularly the reduction in heart rate variability, are discussed as potential mediators of the cardiovascular impact of panic disorder. Conclusions: Despite de established association between panic disorder and cardiac diseases, current literatures data points to a knowledge gap on treating and diagnosing the comorbidity between panic disorder and cardiovascular diseases. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and regular supervised exercise are recommended as potential adjunct therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Receptive vaginal penetration skills have been implicated in the etiology, explanatory models, and treatment of genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder (GPPPD). However, there are no psychometric skills measures designed to screen, assess, and stratify GPPPD. Aim We aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate a new scale—the Vaginal Penetration Skills Scale (VPSS)—to screen, assess, and stratify GPPPD. Methods This study included 148 Brazilian females with GPPPD symptoms (113 lifelong and 35 acquired) and 251 Brazilian females without sexual complaints. We conducted factor analyses considering all participants (n  = 399). Then, we conducted latent class analysis within the GPPPD group to identify clusters of individuals with similar VPSS profiles. We assessed convergent validity through intercorrelation with the Brazilian versions of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) and the 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6). Outcomes We developed complete and short-form versions of the VPSS (VPSS-29 and VPSS-SF11, respectively), each with 3 dimensions, to screen, assess, and stratify GPPPD. Results Factor analysis yielded a 3-factor VPSS model with the "Nonsexual Genital Self-Exploration," "Nonsexual Vaginal Penetration Skills," and "Sexual Vaginal Penetration Skills" dimensions for both VPSS versions. The reliability was excellent for the VPSS-29 (ω = 0.981, α = 0.981) and the VPSS-SF11 (ω = 0.959, α = 0.961). All 3 dimensions could detect significant differences between patients with GPPPD and healthy females. They also differentiated the patients with GPPPD, distinguishing gradient levels. For convergent validity, we found moderate to strong correlations (rho = 0.715–0.745) between the VPSS, FGSIS, and FSFI-6. Clinical Implications The VPSS can be applied easily in both clinical and research settings. Strengths and Limitations The VPSS provides a concise and thorough evaluation of receptive vaginal penetration skills in both sexual and nonsexual contexts among patients with GPPPD. The sample had limited diversity regarding gender and sexual orientation; therefore, it is important to validate the use of this scale in populations beyond the cisgender heterosexual female population to ensure its applicability in diverse settings. Conclusion These results support the reliability and psychometric validity of the VPSS as a self-report measure to screen, assess, and stratify GPPPD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the case of phobic postural vertigo (PPV) in a male patient presented with vestibular neuritis episodes. Cognitive interventions were performed in the patient in which the focus was to put his unpleasant life moment in perspective and set plans for short and long term. The authors assert that the case is of high interest because it shows the cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) management of PPV and secondary agoraphobia and it helps in the discussion on the interaction between otologic and psychiatric symptoms.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between deficits in social skills and depression levels. Method: The sample consisted of 46 participants of both sexes were 23 patients in psychotherapy (clinical group) met the DSM-IV-TR for the diagnosis of depression, and had scores compatible with this diagnosis in the Beck depression (BDI). The other 23 subjects (comparison group) had scores in the self report questionnaire (SRQ) compatible with a low probability of developing psychiatric disorder. Yet responded to the Social Skills Inventory (IHS-Del Prette) and Empathy Inventory (IE). Therapists Clinical Group provided information on their patients through a questionnaire. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups. A qualitative analysis indicated the relationship between depressive symptoms and interpersonal stress periods. Conclusion: The results confirm previous studies and suggest that deficits in social skills may be a vulnerability factor for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]