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Objective: The aim of the recent study was to identify and compare the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) of three female populations: those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and healthy individuals. Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, convenience sampling was used to recruit 50 female RA patients, 36 female PsA patients and 50 healthy women between June and September 2018. Results: The mean ages of the RA patients, PsA patients and healthy controls were, respectively, 53.1 ± 11.8 years, 51.6 ± 13.7 years and 37.4 ± 10.4 years. Controls were significantly younger than RA (p < 0.001) and PsA (p = 0.002) patients. Data including all participants: Based on the total sexual functioning cut‐off score of 26.55, 68% of RA patients (34/50), 67% of PsA patients (22/33) and 44% of healthy controls (11/25) met the criteria for sexual dysfunction. Data excluding participants who reported not having had sex in the previous month: Controls had significantly higher FSFI scores than the RA patients across all six domains (p ≤ 0.001) and the overall score (p < 0.001). Controls had significantly higher FSFI scores than the PsA patients across four of the six domains (p ≤ 0.026) and the overall score (p = 0.008). There were no statistically significant differences between the RA and PsA groups. Patient pain, patient global status and Health Assessment Questionnaire scores were not significantly correlated with the total FSFI score in either PsA or RA. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that decreased sexual functioning is more common in women with RA and PsA when compared with controls. All female patients with RA and PsA should be screened for sexual dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of psychological practitioners in Canada has grown substantially over the past two decades, and numerous professional and legislative changes have occurred during this time. However, the most recent surveys examining the nature of professional psychology in Canada were published more than 20 years ago. To obtain current information on the practice of professional psychology, 538 practitioners completed a survey focusing on demographics and practice characteristics. Among other general practice findings, these data indicate (a) the growing number of female professional psychologists, (b) the frequent provision of psychological services within private health care settings, and (c) the common endorsement of the cognitive-behavioral orientation. The results of the survey also revealed many important differences in practice patterns between those registered on the basis of master's or doctoral level training and between those employed full-time in public or independent practice settings. Most strikingly, the majority of practitioners in both private and public practice were engaged in professional activities that are broader than only direct service. Implications for trainees, training programs, and the profession are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that lesbian women's reasons for having sex are both similar to and different from those reported by heterosexual women. However, there have been few such comparative studies and some of the quantitative findings have been inconclusive. In the present qualitative study, twenty lesbian women aged 19-42 years were interviewed about their reasons for engaging in sexual activity with a partner. Thematic analysis of their responses yielded four themes reflecting their reasons and motivations for having sex: physical, emotional, relational and psychological, and ten related sub-themes. Participants often reported more than one reason for having sex and frequently identified a combination of physical and emotional motivations. While some of their reasons were similar to those cited in prior studies by heterosexual women, other reasons suggested differences from heterosexual women in areas such as spontaneous desire and feelings regarding sexual obligation and duty in their relationships. The implications of the findings are discussed in the context of the limited research currently available on lesbian women's reasons for having sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]