scholarly journals The Attitudes of Therapists and Physicians on the Use of Sex Robots in Sexual Therapy: Online Survey and Interview Study

10.2196/13853 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e13853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Eichenberg ◽  
Marwa Khamis ◽  
Lisa Hübner
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Sexual Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

Background Various types of robots have already been successfully used in medical care, and the use of new technologies is also playing an increasing role in the area of sexuality. Sex robots are marketed as advanced sex toys and sex dolls with artificial intelligence. Only a few considerations about the therapeutic use of sex robots in sexual therapy are debated in expert discussions. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a first exploratory survey on the attitudes of sex therapists and physicians toward the therapeutic benefits of sex robots. Methods This study comprised a quantitative online survey and a qualitative interview study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to survey the general attitudes of sex therapists and physicians regarding the benefits of sex robots in therapy. The qualitative study was designed to gain in-depth insight into the participants’ beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, semistructured interviews were conducted. The quantitative data were evaluated by statistical analysis, and the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using a grounded theory approach. Results A total of 72 sex therapists and physicians completed our self-constructed questionnaire (response rate 15%, 72/480). Only a few respondents (11%, 8/72) said that the use of sex robots was not conceivable for them, and almost half of all therapists and physicians could imagine recommending sex robots in therapy (45%, 33/72). The attitude toward sex robots as a therapeutic tool was very heterogeneous, with gender (P=.006), age (P=.03), and occupational differences (P=.05); female therapists, older therapists, and psychologists (in contrast to physicians) were more critical toward the therapeutic use of sex robots. The analysis of the 5 interviews identified 3 high-level core themes that were representative of the participants’ responses: (1) the importance of the personal definition of sex robots for the assessment of their therapeutic benefits, (2) therapeutic benefits and dangers of sex robots, and (3) considerations on the quality of human-robot sexuality. Initial insights into the possible therapeutic use of sex robots in different disorders (eg, sexual dysfunction or pedophilia) and situations were gained from the perspective of sex therapists. Conclusions The results of this study provide a first overview of the potential therapeutic use of sex robots. Moral, ethical, and treatment-related issues in this context are still unresolved and need to be further researched. We suggest integrating the topic into the training of sex therapists to form opinions beyond media images and to show therapy possibilities. Scientists engaged in sexual research should be involved in the development of sex robots to design robots with positive effects on sexual education, sexual therapy, sexual counseling, and sexual well-being for interested groups.

scholarly journals The Attitudes of Therapists and Physicians on the Use of Sex Robots in Sexual Therapy: Online Survey and Interview Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Eichenberg ◽  
Marwa Khamis ◽  
Lisa Hübner
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Sexual Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

BACKGROUND Various types of robots have already been successfully used in medical care, and the use of new technologies is also playing an increasing role in the area of sexuality. Sex robots are marketed as advanced sex toys and sex dolls with artificial intelligence. Only a few considerations about the therapeutic use of sex robots in sexual therapy are debated in expert discussions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a first explorative survey on the attitudes of sex therapists and physicians toward the therapeutic benefits of sex robots. METHODS This study comprised a quantitative online survey and a qualitative interview study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to survey the general attitudes of sex therapists and physicians regarding the benefits of sex robots in therapy. The qualitative study was designed to gain in-depth insight into the participants’ beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, semistructured interviews were conducted. The quantitative data were evaluated by statistical analysis, and the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS A total of 72 sex therapists and physicians completed our self-constructed questionnaire (response rate 15%, 72/480). Only a few respondents (11%, 8/72) said that the use of sex robots was not conceivable for them, and almost half of all therapists and physicians could imagine recommending sex robots in therapy (45%, 33/72). The attitude toward sex robots as a therapeutic tool was very heterogeneous, with gender (P=.006), age (P=.03), and occupational differences (P=.05); female therapists, older therapists, and psychologists (in contrast to physicians) were more critical toward the therapeutic use of sex robots. The analysis of the 5 interviews identified 3 high-level core themes that were representative of the participants’ responses: (1) the importance of the personal definition of sex robots for the assessment of their therapeutic benefits, (2) therapeutic benefits and dangers of sex robots, and (3) considerations on the quality of human-robot sexuality. Initial insights into the possible therapeutic use of sex robots in different disorders (eg, sexual dysfunction or pedophilia) and situations were gained from the perspective of sex therapists. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study provide a first overview of the potential therapeutic use of sex robots. Moral, ethical, and treatment-related issues in this context are still unresolved and need to be further researched. We suggest integrating the topic into the training of sex therapists to form opinions beyond media images and to show therapy possibilities. Scientists engaged in sexual research should be involved in the development of sex robots to design robots with positive effects on sexual education, sexual therapy, sexual counseling, and sexual well-being for interested groups.

scholarly journals Work-related stressors among hospital physicians: a qualitative interview study in the Tokyo metropolitan area

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e034848
Author(s):  
Yuko Ihara ◽  
Daisuke Son ◽  
Masahiro Nochi ◽  
Ryu Takizawa
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medical System ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Tokyo Metropolitan ◽  
Tokyo Metropolitan Area ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Hospital Physicians ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Work Related Stressors

ObjectivesWe explored Japanese physicians’ work-related stressors and identified those unique to this population, as well as clarified the influence of cultural and medical system diversity on these stressors to determine the content of future stress-reducing interventions for hospital physicians in Japan.DesignWe conducted a semistructured, face-to-face interview-based qualitative study between August and October 2017. The collected data were analysed using the grounded theory approach.SettingHospitals around the Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan.ParticipantsSixteen hospital physicians (mean age (SD)=33.9 (4.2) years; 11 men, 5 women). Seven worked in internal medicine and nine in surgery.ResultsWe found unique stressors related to the Japanese medical system and culture, such as continuous all-day work after night shifts, and a hierarchical organisational system called Ikyoku. The results also indicated that Japanese physicians shared several stressors with Western physicians, such as sleep deprivation, high pressure and the limits of medicine.ConclusionsOur study clarifies some sources of work-related stressors among hospital physicians in Japan. While the key components of Western interventions might be useful in a Japanese context, the original evidence obtained from this study highlights the necessity of initiating interventions addressing the unique stressors of Japanese physicians. To reduce physicians’ stress and enhance their well-being, psychological interventions for hospital physicians must be introduced in Japan.

scholarly journals Distance Learning Effects Among Italian Children and Parents During COVID-19 Related School Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Crisci ◽  
Irene C. Mammarella ◽  
Ughetta M. M. Moscardino ◽  
Maja Roch ◽  
Lisa B. Thorell
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Italian Children ◽  
Child Age

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, both children and their parents experienced consequences related to distance learning (DL). However, positive and negative effects have varied greatly among families, and the specific factors explaining these differences in experiences are still underexplored. In this study, we examined children's executive functions (EF) and parents' psychological well-being in relation to negative and positive effects of DL on both children and their parents.Method: Participants were 637 Italian parents (92% mothers) with a child (48% male) aged between 6 and 19 years involved in DL due to school closures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using an online survey. We performed three fixed-order hierarchical multiple regression analyses with child age and sex, children's EF deficits, and parents' psychological well-being as independent variables, and DL-related negative effects (on the child and on the parent) and DL-related positive effects as dependent variables.Results: The results of the regression analyses showed that for negative effects of DL, younger age and greater EF deficits explained most part of the variance. Specifically, regarding negative effects on children, the most important factor was EF deficits, whereas regarding negative effects on parents, child age was the most important factor. For positive effects of DL, all variables explained only a small part of the variance. Child age was the most important factor, but EF deficits and parents' psychological well-being also had a significant impact.Conclusions: The effects of DL during school closures vary widely across families. Our findings indicate that intervention efforts need to consider background variables, child factors, as well as parent factors when supporting families with homeschooling in times of pandemic.

scholarly journals Patients’ attitudes and perceptions towards treatment of hypothyroidism in general practice: an in-depth qualitative interview study

BJGP Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen17X100977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosie Dew ◽  
Kathryn King ◽  
Onyebuchi E Okosieme ◽  
Simon Pearce ◽  
Gemma Donovan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Thyroid Hormone Replacement ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Tsh Levels

BackgroundSuboptimal thyroid hormone replacement is common in patients with hypothyroidism and the behavioural factors underlying this are poorly understood.AimTo explore the attitudes and perceptions of patients to thyroid hormone replacement therapy.Design & settingAn in-depth qualitative interview study with patients with hypothyroidism residing in Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear, UK.MethodTwenty-seven patients participated, of which 15 patients had thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within the reference range (0.4–4.0 mU/L) and 12 patients had TSH levels outside the reference range. A grounded theory approach was used to explore and develop emerging themes, which were mapped to the health belief model (HBM).ResultsPatients generally had a low understanding of their condition or of the consequences of suboptimal thyroid hormone replacement. Patients that had experienced hypothyroid symptoms at initial diagnosis had a better perception of disease susceptibility, and this was reflected in excellent adherence to levothyroxine in this group of patients. The main benefits of optimal thyroid replacement were improved wellbeing and performance. However, patients who remained unwell despite a normal serum TSH level felt that their normal result presented a barrier to further evaluation of their symptoms by their GP.ConclusionEducating patients with hypothyroidism regarding the consequences of inadequate thyroid hormone replacement may reduce barriers and improve treatment outcomes. An over-reliance on TSH as a sole marker of wellbeing reduced opportunities for clinicians to address patient symptoms. Evaluating symptoms in combination with biochemical indices, may lead to better patient outcomes than relying on laboratory tests alone.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic in carers of children in Portugal and the UK: cross-sectional online survey

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Stallard ◽  
Ana Isabel Pereira ◽  
Luísa Barros
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Spiritual Change ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Uk

Background Although the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have attracted interest, little attention has focused on its positive effects and possible post-traumatic growth. Aims To assess anxiety, well-being and post-traumatic growth in carers of children aged 6–16 years in Portugal and the UK. Method A cross-sectional online survey of volunteers conducted at the peak of the first wave of COVID-19 during lockdown (1 May to 27 June 2020). Results A total of 385 caregivers (Portuguese, n = 185; UK, n = 200), predominantly mothers (n = 341, 88.6%), completed the survey. The majority were working exclusively from home (n = 271, 70.4%), almost half reported a reduction in income (n = 174, 45.2%), most children were home taught (n = 358, 93%), and 75 (19.5%) identified a family member with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. In total, 341 caregivers (88.6%) identified positives arising from COVID-19, most commonly related to the post-traumatic growth domains of improved relationships, a greater appreciation of life, discovering and embracing new possibilities, and positive spiritual change. A comparison of those who did (n = 341) and did not (n = 34) report any positives found a significant difference in well-being scores (t373 = 2.24, P = 0.025) but not in anxiety scores (t373 = 0.75, P = 0.45). Conclusions Despite experiencing considerable adversity, examples of post-traumatic growth during the lockdown were common. Although the voluntary online nature of our survey is a limitation, our findings suggest that further research exploring post-traumatic growth following pandemics is warranted.

scholarly journals Seeking Help From Trusted Adults in Response to Peers’ Social Media Posts About Mental Health Struggles: Qualitative Interview Study Among Latinx Adolescents

10.2196/26176 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e26176
Author(s):  
Celeste Campos-Castillo ◽  
Brian Jason Thomas ◽  
Felipe Reyes ◽  
Linnea Irina Laestadius
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Experiential Knowledge ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Immigrant Parents ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Latinx Adolescents

Background Rather than confiding in adults about their mental health struggles, adolescents may use social media to disclose them to peers. Disclosure recipients are tasked with deciding whether to alert an adult and, if so, whom to alert. Few studies have examined how adolescents decide on a trusted adult to help a friend who posts on social media about his/her mental health struggles. Moreover, Latinx adolescents are underrepresented in research on social media use, which creates gaps in understanding how social media may influence their well-being. Objective This qualitative study presents findings from semistructured interviews with Latinx adolescents to investigate how they seek out trusted adults when a friend posts on social media about their mental health struggles. Specifically, we sought to determine which adult ties they activated, the resources they believed the adult could provide, and the support they expected the adult to provide. Methods We recruited participants through a nonprofit organization serving the Latinx community (primarily of Mexican origin) located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We conducted 43 semistructured interviews, each lasting 60-90 minutes, with Latinx adolescents (25 females, 18 males) aged 13-17 years. All interviews were conducted in English, at the adolescents’ request. Using a grounded theory approach, we identified the nature of the relationship between the trusted adult and either the disclosure recipient or distressed friend, and the resources and support the trusted adult is expected to provide. Results Participants nominated adults who were emotionally or physically proximate to either the disclosure recipient or distressed friend, particularly parents (of the recipient and friend) and school staff. However, some felt that not all parents and school staff were emotionally proximate. Adolescents sought trusted adults with access to two resources: experiential knowledge and authority. Some, particularly males, avoided adults with authority because of the risk of punishment and others thought their immigrant parents did not have relevant experiential knowledge to assist them. Interviewees felt that trusted adults with either resource could provide emotional and instrumental support either directly or indirectly, while those with experiential knowledge could provide informational support. Notably, interviews did not problematize the fact that the disclosure occurred on social media when deliberating about adults. Conclusions To assist a distressed friend posting on social media, Latinx adolescents look not only for trusted adults who are emotionally and physically proximate but also those who have key resources that facilitate support. Efforts should focus on connecting adolescents with trusted adults and training adults who hold positions of authority or experiential knowledge to offer both direct and indirect support. Additionally, efforts should consider how immigrant experiences shape parent-child relations and address the potential long-term consequences of oversurveillance of Latinx youth, particularly males, by school staff for their access to social support.

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