Amanda N Gesselman
Biographic Data
| ID | 669284 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Amanda N Gesselman |
| GIVEN NAMES | Amanda N |
| FAMILY NAME | Gesselman |
| SIGNATURE | GESSELMAN A N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Indiana University Bloomington |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6485-6404 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 34 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 101 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 34 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
If I Only Knew Then
Objectives: Sex education research has focused largely on youth and adolescents, rather than adults. The current study explores single adults' attitudes about the potential impact of their sex education, including a lack of sex education, on their current sexual and romantic relationships. Methods: = 3,895) reported whether they had learned about 16 different topics typically included in comprehensive sex education programs and their perceptions …
Twice in a lifetime
Passionate love is widely considered a hallmark of romantic relationships and a central component of adult development. While the onset and psychological impacts of passionate love have been well-studied, little is known about how frequently individuals experience passionate love in their lifetime. In this study, we quantified the number of passionate love experiences reported by 10,036 single U.S. adults aged 18 to 99, and examined how the numbe…
Understanding stigmatization in digital sex work
Connected, online and off
Erotic webcam modeling websites (or ‘camsites’) are an increasingly popular form of sextech in which users can pursue both sexual fulfillment and emotional connection. While previous research has explored the impact of similar technologies (e.g., online pornography) as well as transactional sex within partnered relationships, this study seeks to understand how users who access camsites with their in-person romantic partner perceive how camming ha…
Long Stretch of Singlehood Ahead? Unpacking the Roles of Anticipated Singlehood Duration and Singlehood Stigma in Lowering Dating Standards
Although dealbreakers are framed as non-negotiable traits that disqualify a partner, rejecting someone with these traits can be challenging when the alternative is prolonged singlehood. In this experimental study, single people (N = 452, Mage = 33.72) rated their likelihood of dating someone with their top dealbreaker trait. Anticipated singlehood duration was manipulated: Participants imagined staying single for 3 years (short-term group) or 10 …
Exploring patterns in mental health treatment and interests of single adults in the United States
Objective: The objective of this study is to examine mental health treatment utilization and interest among the large and growing demographic of single adults in the United States, who face unique societal stressors and pressures that may contribute to their heightened need for mental healthcare. Method: We analyzed data from 3,453 single adults, focusing on those with possible mental health treatment needs by excluding those with positive self-a…
Clients’ Perceptions of Authentic Intimate Connection on Erotic Webcam Modeling Sites
While early uses of technology in the sex industry centered on increasing accessibility to pornography or expanding advertising opportunities for direct service sex workers, the growing prevalence of personalized, platform-based sexual technologies reflects the postindustrial paradigm of sexual labor in which "authentic" emotional and physical connection is increasingly prioritized. In this study, we explored how erotic webcam modeling platforms …
Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes
Affectionate touch (e.g. hugging, handholding) is an essential component of many intimate relationships and is a primary contributor to overall relationship satisfaction as well as sexual satisfaction. Affectionate touch is understood to be a form of non-verbal communication in which the giver is expressing positive feelings toward the receiver. Here, we propose that affectionate touch also positively impacts receivers' body satisfaction, because…
Camsites as a Context for Sexual Consent Education
Understanding sexual consent is essential for the promotion of healthy sexual relationships and the prevention of sexual violence. Emerging sexual technologies can provide opportunities for users to learn about and potentially practice navigating sexual consent with partners, but this field of research is still nascent. In this study, we surveyed 5,828 erotic camsite users to determine whether they learned something new about sexual consent from …
Exploring the Orgasm Gap Across Racial/Ethnic Groups
Orgasm gaps between heterosexual men and women, and for women across sexual orientations, are well-established in research. However, no large-scale assessments of orgasm frequency by race/ethnicity exist. Here, we analyzed 10 years of cross-sectional Singles in America survey data between 2011 and 2021 to investigate the orgasm gap at the intersection of gender and racial/ethnic identity (i.e. White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian) for heteros…
Centering Women of Color
Background: Black and white women describe their chronic vulvar pain (CVVP) symptoms differently, indicating a patient-provider communication deficit. This may contribute to the diagnostic delay commonly reported by patients with CVVP and/or pelvic pain. Methods: A pilot study demonstrated CVVP terminology differences between women of color and white women. The present study (N = 488) includes a sample of predominantly cisgender women who identif…
Cam Site Clients’ Perceptions of Changes to Their Communication Skills
American Singles’ Attitudes Toward Future Romantic/Sexual Partners’ Covid-19 Vaccination Status
Sexual Harassment and Assault in Public Spaces
PrEP Familiarity, Interest, and Usage Among 364 Black and Hispanic Adults in Indiana
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a once-daily preventative prescription pill against HIV for adults or adolescents who have sex or inject drugs. PrEP may be especially useful among Black and Hispanic Americans, who are particularly at risk for HIV in the United States. In spite of this vulnerability, rates of PrEP use in Black and Hispanic communities are low. Here, we examined familiarity with, prior usage of, and future interest in PrEP am…
How Can I Get Covid
Changes in Utilization of Birth Control and PrEP During Covid-19 in the USA
In the USA, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges beyond the direct consequences of the infection. Because of shifting resources in response to need, many domains within the healthcare sector unrelated to COVID-19 have had interrupted abilities to provide care. In the current study, we focus on preventative sexual health care during the pandemic. In a sample of 511 (mean age = 27.7) people, we examined quantitative data regarding continuat…
Chronic Vulvovaginal Pain in Patients of Color
Within the social support literature, individuals who experience chronic pain have shown many positive outcomes and benefits when receiving the appropriate level of emotional support. In the current study, individuals who experience chronic vulvovaginal pain (CVVP) were asked about their partner's supportiveness, other sources of emotional support, and their satisfaction and stress surrounding sexual activity. The participants ( n = 333) also ide…
Engagement with Emerging Forms of Sextech
Social technology is ever-evolving, and increasingly offers novel domains for sexual experiences. In the current study, we investigated demographic correlates of engagement with emerging forms of sextech , defined here as internet-based applications, platforms, or devices used for sexual pleasure. Our web-based, demographically representative sample included 7,512 American adults aged 18-65 years, with a near-even gender split of men/women and mo…
Sexual Desire in the Time of Covid-19
Young adults' romantic investment behaviors on social media
According to Rusbult's (1980) investment model, relationships are built and maintained through continual investment in one partner over potential alternative partners. Social media have continued to become more integrated into people's personal lives, with romantic relationship processes often unfolding in this new landscape. A large body of extant literature has explored how social media influence ongoing romantic relationships, but less is know…
Sextech Use as a Potential Mental Health Reprieve
Depression, anxiety, and loneliness have long been recognized as global mental health concerns. To temporarily relieve psychological distress, self-soothing behavior is common, including engagement in sexual behaviors that are linked to positive mental well-being. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated many mental health ailments alongside physical distancing regulations, we specifically examined online sexual behavior via the use …
Dating and sexualities across the life course
Less Sex, but More Sexual Diversity
Recreational sex is a popular form of leisure that has been redefined by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. "Social distancing" rules have imposed limits on sex for leisure while also creating new opportunities. We discuss results from an online survey of 1,559 adults who were asked about the pandemic's impact on their intimate lives. While nearly half of the sample reported a decline in their sex life, one in five participants reported expandi…
Avoiding information about one's romantic partner
Research links open communication and self-disclosure to a host of beneficial outcomes in romantic relationships, including better relationship quality, relationship satisfaction, feelings of closeness and commitment, and relationship longevity. However, learning some information about a partner may evoke negative consequences. In two studies, we examined the types of information people may wish to avoid learning about their past or current roman…
Less Sex, but More Sexual Diversity
Recreational sex is a popular form of leisure that has been redefined by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. "Social distancing" rules have imposed limits on sex for leisure while also creating new opportunities. We discuss results from an online survey of 1,559 adults who were asked about the pandemic's impact on their intimate lives. While nearly half of the sample reported a decline in their sex life, one in five participants reported expandi…
Women’s and Men’s Reactions to Receiving Unsolicited Genital Images from Men
Recently, mounting anecdotal reports - mostly by heterosexual women on Internet-based dating platforms - have drawn attention to the frequency of men sending unsolicited photos of their own genitals (i.e., "dick pics"). While initial research has documented that the sending of unsolicited nude pictures is fairly common, with generally similar underlying motivations for sending solicited and unsolicited images, understanding recipients' experience…
Has Virginity Lost Its Virtue? Relationship Stigma Associated With Being a Sexually Inexperienced Adult
While virginity prior to marriage has been historically valued, changing sociosexual scripts in the United States have made premarital sexual activity the norm for young adults, with sexual debut generally occurring in late adolescence. In the current research, we examined the impact of being developmentally off-time with first coitus (i.e., not yet engaging in coitus when most same-aged peers have done so). Specifically, we investigated stigma t…
Single Bisexual Men's and Women's Perceptions of Acceptance in the LGBTQ Community
In recent years, sociocultural shifts in the U.S. have cast a positive light on the LGBTQ community, presumably providing benefits to sexual and gender minorities. Using a sample of single lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women (N= 924) collected from a 2016 survey in the U.S., we assess bisexual people's attitudes about the "LGBTQ community", as well as how others in the community - gay men and lesbian women - view bisexuals. We also examine c…
Engagement with Emerging Forms of Sextech
Social technology is ever-evolving, and increasingly offers novel domains for sexual experiences. In the current study, we investigated demographic correlates of engagement with emerging forms of sextech , defined here as internet-based applications, platforms, or devices used for sexual pleasure. Our web-based, demographically representative sample included 7,512 American adults aged 18-65 years, with a near-even gender split of men/women and mo…
Sexual Desire in the Time of Covid-19
Exploring the Orgasm Gap Across Racial/Ethnic Groups
Orgasm gaps between heterosexual men and women, and for women across sexual orientations, are well-established in research. However, no large-scale assessments of orgasm frequency by race/ethnicity exist. Here, we analyzed 10 years of cross-sectional Singles in America survey data between 2011 and 2021 to investigate the orgasm gap at the intersection of gender and racial/ethnic identity (i.e. White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian) for heteros…
Avoiding information about one's romantic partner
Research links open communication and self-disclosure to a host of beneficial outcomes in romantic relationships, including better relationship quality, relationship satisfaction, feelings of closeness and commitment, and relationship longevity. However, learning some information about a partner may evoke negative consequences. In two studies, we examined the types of information people may wish to avoid learning about their past or current roman…
Sexual Harassment and Assault in Public Spaces
Dating and sexualities across the life course
Long Stretch of Singlehood Ahead? Unpacking the Roles of Anticipated Singlehood Duration and Singlehood Stigma in Lowering Dating Standards
Although dealbreakers are framed as non-negotiable traits that disqualify a partner, rejecting someone with these traits can be challenging when the alternative is prolonged singlehood. In this experimental study, single people (N = 452, Mage = 33.72) rated their likelihood of dating someone with their top dealbreaker trait. Anticipated singlehood duration was manipulated: Participants imagined staying single for 3 years (short-term group) or 10 …
Clients’ Perceptions of Authentic Intimate Connection on Erotic Webcam Modeling Sites
While early uses of technology in the sex industry centered on increasing accessibility to pornography or expanding advertising opportunities for direct service sex workers, the growing prevalence of personalized, platform-based sexual technologies reflects the postindustrial paradigm of sexual labor in which "authentic" emotional and physical connection is increasingly prioritized. In this study, we explored how erotic webcam modeling platforms …
Camsites as a Context for Sexual Consent Education
Understanding sexual consent is essential for the promotion of healthy sexual relationships and the prevention of sexual violence. Emerging sexual technologies can provide opportunities for users to learn about and potentially practice navigating sexual consent with partners, but this field of research is still nascent. In this study, we surveyed 5,828 erotic camsite users to determine whether they learned something new about sexual consent from …
Centering Women of Color
Background: Black and white women describe their chronic vulvar pain (CVVP) symptoms differently, indicating a patient-provider communication deficit. This may contribute to the diagnostic delay commonly reported by patients with CVVP and/or pelvic pain. Methods: A pilot study demonstrated CVVP terminology differences between women of color and white women. The present study (N = 488) includes a sample of predominantly cisgender women who identif…
American Singles’ Attitudes Toward Future Romantic/Sexual Partners’ Covid-19 Vaccination Status
Perceptions of married life among single never‐married, single ever‐married, and married adults
With the increasing prevalence of single adults in the United States, perceptions of marriage as the relationship “gold standard” may be diminishing. In this study ( N = 6,576), we explored perceptions of married life in three subgroups of participants: Those who have never married, ever married, and currently married. Across subgroups, most did not perceive married life more positively than single life in external/tangible domains (e.g., more fr…
The Structure and Content of Long-Term and Short-Term Mate Preferences
This study addresses two limitations in the mate preferences literature. First, research all-too-often relies on single-item assessments of mate preferences precluding more advanced statistical techniques like factor analysis. Second, when factor analysis could be done, it exclusively has done for long-term mate preferences, at the exclusion of short-term mate preferences. In this study (N = 401), we subjected 20 items designed to measure short- …
The Structure and Content of Long-Term and Short-Term Mate Preferences
This study addresses two limitations in the mate preferences literature. First, research all-too-often relies on single-item assessments of mate preferences precluding more advanced statistical techniques like factor analysis. Second, when factor analysis could be done, it exclusively has done for long-term mate preferences, at the exclusion of short-term mate preferences. In this study (N = 401), we subjected 20 items designed to measure short- …
Individual Differences in Women's Salivary Testosterone and Estradiol Following Sexual Activity in a Nonlaboratory Setting
Objectives: The current study evaluated women's salivary testosterone and estradiol levels before and after exposure to sexual stimuli in a U.S. sex club. Methods: Behavioral data and salivary samples were collected from 19 women during semistructured interviews. Results: Findings demonstrate substantial individual differences in the magnitude and direction of women's hormonal changes following sexual activity. Conclusions: In an age of individua…
Romantic and dating behaviors among single parents in the United States
Little research has focused on the dating attitudes and behaviors of singles with dependent‐age children. Using data collected from a nationally representative U.S. probability sample of single adults, we provide findings on dating attitudes and behaviors among 747 single parents in the United States, aged 21 years and older, who had one or more children under the age of 18 years. Findings show gender differences between single men and single wom…
Has Virginity Lost Its Virtue? Relationship Stigma Associated With Being a Sexually Inexperienced Adult
While virginity prior to marriage has been historically valued, changing sociosexual scripts in the United States have made premarital sexual activity the norm for young adults, with sexual debut generally occurring in late adolescence. In the current research, we examined the impact of being developmentally off-time with first coitus (i.e., not yet engaging in coitus when most same-aged peers have done so). Specifically, we investigated stigma t…
Prevalence of Experiences With Consensual Nonmonogamous Relationships
Although academic and popular interest in consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is increasing, little is known about the prevalence of CNM. Using two separate U.S. Census based quota samples of single adults in the United States (Study 1: n = 3,905; Study 2: n = 4,813), the present studies show that more than one in five (21.9% in Study 1; 21.2% in Study 2) participants report engaging in CNM at some point in their lifetime. This proportion remained const…
Sexual function in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment
A chronic autonomic state that supports biobehavioral defense following abuse and trauma may contribute to adult sexual function problems, particularly in males and may point toward new treatment opportunities that target the autonomic nervous system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Perceptions of married life among single never‐married, single ever‐married, and married adults
With the increasing prevalence of single adults in the United States, perceptions of marriage as the relationship “gold standard” may be diminishing. In this study ( N = 6,576), we explored perceptions of married life in three subgroups of participants: Those who have never married, ever married, and currently married. Across subgroups, most did not perceive married life more positively than single life in external/tangible domains (e.g., more fr…
Women’s and Men’s Reactions to Receiving Unsolicited Genital Images from Men
Recently, mounting anecdotal reports - mostly by heterosexual women on Internet-based dating platforms - have drawn attention to the frequency of men sending unsolicited photos of their own genitals (i.e., "dick pics"). While initial research has documented that the sending of unsolicited nude pictures is fairly common, with generally similar underlying motivations for sending solicited and unsolicited images, understanding recipients' experience…
Single Bisexual Men's and Women's Perceptions of Acceptance in the LGBTQ Community
In recent years, sociocultural shifts in the U.S. have cast a positive light on the LGBTQ community, presumably providing benefits to sexual and gender minorities. Using a sample of single lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women (N= 924) collected from a 2016 survey in the U.S., we assess bisexual people's attitudes about the "LGBTQ community", as well as how others in the community - gay men and lesbian women - view bisexuals. We also examine c…
Young adults' romantic investment behaviors on social media
According to Rusbult's (1980) investment model, relationships are built and maintained through continual investment in one partner over potential alternative partners. Social media have continued to become more integrated into people's personal lives, with romantic relationship processes often unfolding in this new landscape. A large body of extant literature has explored how social media influence ongoing romantic relationships, but less is know…
Sextech Use as a Potential Mental Health Reprieve
Depression, anxiety, and loneliness have long been recognized as global mental health concerns. To temporarily relieve psychological distress, self-soothing behavior is common, including engagement in sexual behaviors that are linked to positive mental well-being. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated many mental health ailments alongside physical distancing regulations, we specifically examined online sexual behavior via the use …
Dating and sexualities across the life course
Less Sex, but More Sexual Diversity
Recreational sex is a popular form of leisure that has been redefined by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. "Social distancing" rules have imposed limits on sex for leisure while also creating new opportunities. We discuss results from an online survey of 1,559 adults who were asked about the pandemic's impact on their intimate lives. While nearly half of the sample reported a decline in their sex life, one in five participants reported expandi…
Avoiding information about one's romantic partner
Research links open communication and self-disclosure to a host of beneficial outcomes in romantic relationships, including better relationship quality, relationship satisfaction, feelings of closeness and commitment, and relationship longevity. However, learning some information about a partner may evoke negative consequences. In two studies, we examined the types of information people may wish to avoid learning about their past or current roman…
PrEP Familiarity, Interest, and Usage Among 364 Black and Hispanic Adults in Indiana
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a once-daily preventative prescription pill against HIV for adults or adolescents who have sex or inject drugs. PrEP may be especially useful among Black and Hispanic Americans, who are particularly at risk for HIV in the United States. In spite of this vulnerability, rates of PrEP use in Black and Hispanic communities are low. Here, we examined familiarity with, prior usage of, and future interest in PrEP am…
How Can I Get Covid
Changes in Utilization of Birth Control and PrEP During Covid-19 in the USA
In the USA, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges beyond the direct consequences of the infection. Because of shifting resources in response to need, many domains within the healthcare sector unrelated to COVID-19 have had interrupted abilities to provide care. In the current study, we focus on preventative sexual health care during the pandemic. In a sample of 511 (mean age = 27.7) people, we examined quantitative data regarding continuat…
Chronic Vulvovaginal Pain in Patients of Color
Within the social support literature, individuals who experience chronic pain have shown many positive outcomes and benefits when receiving the appropriate level of emotional support. In the current study, individuals who experience chronic vulvovaginal pain (CVVP) were asked about their partner's supportiveness, other sources of emotional support, and their satisfaction and stress surrounding sexual activity. The participants ( n = 333) also ide…
Engagement with Emerging Forms of Sextech
Social technology is ever-evolving, and increasingly offers novel domains for sexual experiences. In the current study, we investigated demographic correlates of engagement with emerging forms of sextech , defined here as internet-based applications, platforms, or devices used for sexual pleasure. Our web-based, demographically representative sample included 7,512 American adults aged 18-65 years, with a near-even gender split of men/women and mo…
Sexual Desire in the Time of Covid-19
Cam Site Clients’ Perceptions of Changes to Their Communication Skills
American Singles’ Attitudes Toward Future Romantic/Sexual Partners’ Covid-19 Vaccination Status
Sexual Harassment and Assault in Public Spaces
Exploring patterns in mental health treatment and interests of single adults in the United States
Objective: The objective of this study is to examine mental health treatment utilization and interest among the large and growing demographic of single adults in the United States, who face unique societal stressors and pressures that may contribute to their heightened need for mental healthcare. Method: We analyzed data from 3,453 single adults, focusing on those with possible mental health treatment needs by excluding those with positive self-a…
Clients’ Perceptions of Authentic Intimate Connection on Erotic Webcam Modeling Sites
While early uses of technology in the sex industry centered on increasing accessibility to pornography or expanding advertising opportunities for direct service sex workers, the growing prevalence of personalized, platform-based sexual technologies reflects the postindustrial paradigm of sexual labor in which "authentic" emotional and physical connection is increasingly prioritized. In this study, we explored how erotic webcam modeling platforms …
Psychology (30 works) · Social Psychology (20 works) · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology (16 works) · Developmental psychology (15 works) · Medicine (15 works) · Social Psychology (14 works) · Gender, Feminism, and Media (11 works) · Clinical Psychology (10 works) · Human sexuality (8 works) · Perception (8 works)