Sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and sexual behavior among people with physical disability

This study investigated the association between the severity and duration of physical disability and sexual esteem, sexual depression, sexual satisfaction, and the frequency of sexual behavior. A total of 1,196 participants completed the study. There were 748 participants (367 males, 381 females) who had a physical disability and 448 participants (171 males, 277 females) who were able-bodied. The age range of participants was 18–69 years, with a mean age of 36.39 years (SD = 10.41). The results demonstrated that people with more severe physical impairments experienced significantly lower levels of sexual esteem and sexual satisfaction and significantly higher levels of sexual depression than people who had mild impairments or who did not report having a physical impairment. The study also found that people with more severe physical disabilities engaged in mutual sexual activity significantly less frequently. Women with physical disabilities had significantly more positive feelings about their sexuality and significantly more frequent mutual sexual experiences than their male counterparts. For people with physical disabilities, the frequency of oral sex and nude cuddling were significant predictors of sexual satisfaction in men, while the frequency of deep kissing predicted sexual satisfaction in women. Furthermore, the viewing of erotica was significantly related to sexual dissatisfaction in men. Finally, it was found that people who had experienced their physical impairment for a longer period of time reported significantly more positive feelings about their sexuality. Implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions are made for future research.

Relationships, sexuality and adjustment among people with physical disability.

The current study investigated the association between relationship status and the psychological adjustment, sexual esteem and sexual behaviour of people with and without physical disability. A total of 1196 participants completed the study, 748 participants (367 men, 381 women) had a physical disability and 448 participants (171 men, 277 women) were able-bodied. The age range of participants was 18 to 69 years, with a mean age of 36.39 years (SD=10.41). The results demonstrated that physical disability and its severity were related to an increased likelihood of being single. Men with physical disabilities were more likely than women to be single. In terms of psychological adjustment, single people with physical disabilities were more depressed than those who had a partner they did not live with. However, they were not significantly disadvantaged in this area when compared to married people and those in de facto relationships. Relationship status was strongly related to sexual wellbeing in people with and without physical disability, with single people reporting lower levels of sexual satisfaction and sexual esteem as well as less frequent mutual sexual activity. However, married people with physical disabilities reported lower levels of sexual wellbeing than the people who had partners they did not live with. This suggests that among couples where a partner has a physical disability, marriage and live-in relationships may add burdens that do not exist in more casual relationships.

Stanley Melbourne Bruce in London, 1938-41

This article examines Stanley Melbourne Bruce's role as Australian high commissioner in London during the approach to the Second World War and the European War from 1939 to 1941. It argues that Bruce in this period was an influential high commissioner who strongly influenced Australian foreign policy and exercised some influence, albeit with limitations, on the British government. After 1933, Bruce had transformed the office of Australian high commissioner in London from a largely commercial position into one with real diplomatic influence. In the approach to war, Bruce tended to bolster the policy of appeasement on which the Chamberlain government was already decided and in the Phoney War his cautious arguments contributed to the delay of the Allied intervention in Norway. With the accession of Winston Churchill to the prime ministership in May 1940, Bruce lost some of the influence he had had with Neville Chamberlain and he was on the losing side of the argument inside the British Cabinet about the possibility of a negotiated peace in May–June 1940. Despite the limitations of his personal relationship with Churchill, he was nonetheless an influential voice with other British ministers and senior officials and with the US ambassador in London and key members of the Roosevelt administration. This equipped him to play an effective part in the emerging Anglo-American alliance and issues of post-war international reconstruction.