The Biopsychosocial Model and the Sex-Positive Approach: an Integrative Perspective for Sexology and General Health Care

Abstract

Introduction The Biopsychosocial model (BPS) represents a comprehensive paradigm of consolidated practices. Although it has been outlined as the gold standard in sexology, its implementation is often challenging. The sex-positive approach is a ground-breaking movement that is gaining popularity all over and is focused on the recognition of different sexual expressions as valid, consensual, healthy, and meaningful. However, a pragmatic implementation of this approach is still missing. Methods A critical review was conducted based on bibliographic research on Medline, PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science on relevant articles published from January 2011 to July 2021. Results A total of 116 papers were included in the following review, indicating an increasing body of research about BPS and sex-positive frameworks during the last 10 years. One of the main limitations in the BPS is the scarce attention paid to socio-cultural factors involved in sexual expressions, such as the role of negative attitudes towards sexuality that may affect health care professionals’ work. An application of the sex-positive approach to the BPS model may bring greater attention to the needs, values and desires of the individual, as well as allow a new knowledge and understanding of sexuality within a broader spectrum, including diversities and pleasures. Conclusions The sex-positive approach represents a viable path that entails the willingness of health care professionals to get involved actively; criticize their personal attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about sex and work hard to improve their practice in sexology. Policy Implications A discussion of the possible fruitful integration between the BPS and the sex-positive approach is presented, highlighting practical applications in research, clinical practice, training and sex education and giving possible directions for future studies and policies.

Monkeypox: New epidemic or fake news? Study of psychological and social factors associated with fake news attitudes of monkeypox in Italy

“…These elements are central to health policies because viewing an infectious disease as something that does not affect the general population but affects only a sexual minority or "unmoral behaviors, " lowers the attention and increases the risk of infection. In that sense, Schmidt-Sane et al ( 2022) emphasize the need to broaden health communication by referring to transmission routes rather than sexual orientation, avoiding misconceptions that can trigger the activation of different levels of stigma from an intersectional perspective (Nimbi et al, 2021;Schmidt-Sane et al, 2022). The discourse on political orientation and religiosity is complex and may be connected to attitudes toward sexuality.…”

“…Greater knowledge of monkeypox and fear are associated with less tendency to consider monkeypox a hoax. This element underscores the importance of conveying information that is scientifically correct and possibly clear and simple (Schmidt-Sane et al, 2022), investing in the process of health education, which includes the development of critical thinking and through a comprehensive sexual education (Todaro et al, 2018;Nimbi et al, 2021). A lower level of education could affect less specific knowledge and less agency in addressing a health risk (Di Crosta et al, 2020).…”

Introduction: History of Sexual Medicine

“…Certainly, the BPSm is written in the first chapters of the "statute" of Sexual Medicine. However, this model, fundamental for the research, the clinical efforts, the education, the Weltanschauung itself of the field of sexual medicine, is far of misinterpretations, limits, and biases [10].…”

The Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS), along with ten other Italian Scientific Societies, guidelines on the diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction

“…In particular, erectile function could be considered as the classical ‘canary in the coal mine’, thanks to its particular ability to occur earlier, as a consequence of lifestyle mistakes, with respect to the other NCDs [ 10 ]. Since the interdisciplinary field of study on NCDs, which looks at the systems of the human body as part of an integrated whole—incorporating biochemical, physiological, and environment interactions—has been named Systems Medicine [ 11 ], a new paradigm, named Systems Sexology, which increases and ameliorates the complexity of the traditional bio-psycho-social model [ 12 ], seems to be the best approach to ED that results from the complex interactions within the male human body in light of a patient's genomics, behavior and environment [ 6 , 7 ].…”