Differences according to Sex in Sociosexuality and Infidelity after Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Objective. To explore differences according to sex in sociosexuality and infidelity in individuals with TBI and in healthy controls. Participants. Forty-two individuals with mild, moderate, and severe TBI having completed a postacute TBI rehabilitation program, at least six months after injury, and 47 healthy controls. Main Measures. Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised (SOI-R) and Attitudes toward Infidelity Scale. Results. Overall, men score significantly higher than women in sociosexuality. However, there was a nonsignificant trend towards a reduction of sociosexuality levels in men with TBI. Infidelity levels were comparable in healthy controls and individuals with TBI. In individuals with TBI, less acceptance of infidelity was significantly associated with an unrestricted sociosexual orientation, but not in healthy controls. Conclusions. As documented in previous cross-cultural studies, men have higher levels of sociosexuality than women. However, men with TBI showed a tendency towards the reduction of sociosexuality. The possibility of a latent explanatory variable is suggested (e.g., post-TBI neuroendocrinological changes). TBI does not seem to have an impact on infidelity, but individuals with TBI who express less acceptance of infidelity also report a more promiscuous mating strategy regarding their behavior, attitudes, and desire. Theoretical implications are discussed in terms of evolutionary theories of human sexuality and neuropsychology.

Social dysfunction after pediatric traumatic brain injury: A translational perspective

“…In addition, many neuroanatomical regions involved in social cognition are sexually dimorphic, including septal and hypothalamic nuclei, and components of the circuitry involved in behavioral motivation (Kim et al, 2015; Shah et al, 2004). The degree to which these sexual distinctions influence behavioral outcomes after TBI is uncertain, although there is evidence of differential psychosocial and communication problems in male versus female patients (Despins et al, 2015; Gerring et al, 2002; Moreno and McKerral, 2015; Scott et al, 2015), even in young children (Collins et al, 2013; Kaldoja and Kolk, 2015). Further studies are needed in this arena, as sex differences in how the developing brain responds to pTBI may have important implications for both diagnosis and treatment after pTBI.…”

Resilience and Sexuality After Concussion in Women

“…Although the field of neurosexuality is beginning to gain momentum, 28,71-73 sexual changes after mTBI have been reported across the literature for decades. 10 As stated by the National Head Injury Foundation, "sexual dysfunction is more the Sex Med 2021;9:100297 rule than the exception in head injury.." 74 Concussion-induced sexual dysfunctions (SDs) have been associated with cognitive decline, 75,76 employment status, 77 relationships discord, [78][79][80][81] fertility, 30,76 and overall quality of life. 10,26,78,81 However, there is little to no research on treatment options for individuals who experience these sexual sequelae after their concussion injuries.…”