Bente Træen

• Carvalheira, Ana; Graham, Cynthia; Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Træen, Bente (2019). Predictors and Correlates of Sexual Avoidance Among Partnered Older Adults among Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: 10.1007/s10433-019-00540-y Show summary

  Research on sex in later life has been concerned with documenting that older people continue to have sex and establishing the links between good health and sexual activity. Although sexual avoidance is common in clinical and nonclinical populations of older adults, little attention has been given to the motives for sexual avoidance. To address gaps in the literature on sexual avoidance, the present study explored the selfreported reasons for, and correlates of, sexual avoidance in older partnered individuals with probability samples of 60–75-year-olds in four European countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal). Results revealed significant differences between men and women in sexual avoidance, with women reporting more avoidance than men. The main reasons reported for avoiding sex were sexual difficulties, health problems, partner’s sexual difficulties, and lack of sexual interest. Among men, significant predictors of sexual avoidance were age, relationship intimacy (the only relational predictor), physical health, and own and partner’s sexual problems. In women, significant predictors of sexual avoidance were age, relationship duration, relationship satisfaction, relationship intimacy, physical and mental health, and own and partner’s sexual problems. Thus, in men, health-related factors were more important predictors of sexual avoidance than relationship factors. In women, relationship factors were as important as health-related factors. These findings provide insight into an under-researched area. They also have important implications for healthcare and could inform the development of tailored sexual health interventions in older adults.

• Fischer, Nantje; Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Hald, Gert Martin (2019). Mechanisms underlying the association between perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction among partnered older adults in four European countries.. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372.  s 1- 12 . doi: 10.1007/s10433-019-00541-x
• Hald, Gert Martin; Graham, Cynthia; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Carvalheira, Ana; Janssen, Erick & Træen, Bente (2019). Prevalence of sexual problems and Associated distress in aging men across four European countries. Journal of Sexual Medicine.  ISSN 1743-6095.  16(8), s 1212- 1225 . doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.04.017
• Henning, Oliver Johannes; Landmark, Cecilie Johannessen; Træen, Bente; Svendsen, Torleiv; Farmen, Anette Huuse; Nakken, Karl Otto & Lossius, Morten (2019). Sexual function in people with epilepsy: Similarities and differences with the general population. Epilepsia.  ISSN 0013-9580.  60(9), s 1984- 1992 Full text in Research Archive.
• Henning, Oliver Johannes; Landmark, Cecilie Johannessen; Træen, Bente; Svendsen, Torleiv; Farmen, Anette Huuse; Nakken, Karl Otto & Lossius, Morten (2019). Sexual function in people with epilepsy: Similarities and differences with the general population. Epilepsia.  ISSN 0013-9580.  60(9), s 1984- 1992 . doi: 10.1111/epi.16311
• Hinchliff, Sharron; Carvalheira, Ana Alexandra; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Hald, Gert Martin & Træen, Bente (2019). Seeking help for sexual difficulties: findings from a study with older adults in four European countries. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: 10.1007/s10433-019-00536-8
• Hinchliff, Sharron; Carvalheira, Ana; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Hald, Gert Martin & Træen, Bente (2019). Seeking-help for sexual difficulties: Findings from a multinational study with older adults.. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-019-00536-8 Show summary

  Sexual well-being is an important part of life for many people aged 60 and older. However, older adults often face barriers to seeking and receiving help for sexual difficulties. This study used data from a probability survey (n = 3820) on sexuality and ageing to examine help-seeking in 60–75-year-olds in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. More men (12.2%) than women (6.8%) had sought professional help for a sexual difficulty in the past 5 years. The main reason for help-seeking was that sex was important to the participant and/or their relationship. The main source of professional help was the primary care physician. Of those who had sought professional help, 48% were satisfied or very satisfied with the help received, 31.6% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 20.4% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Others had sought help from informal sources, particularly partners, friends, or websites. The main reasons for not seeking professional help included not being distressed by the symptoms, and thinking that the difficulty would clear up on its own. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that significant correlates of seeking professional help for women and men were level of distress about the sexual difficulty. With regard to women, those who were married, and/or from Portugal were more likely to have sought help. And regarding men, those who attended religious services were more likely to have sought professional help. These results have important implications for healthcare and can be used to inform the development and delivery of services for older adults who experience sexual difficulties.

• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Hinchliff, Sharron & Træen, Bente (2019). Relationship Intimacy, Sexual Distress, and Help-Seeking for Sexual Problems among Older European Couples: A Hybrid Dyadic Approach.. International journal of impotence research.  ISSN 0955-9930. Show summary

  There is evidence that emotional connectedness can buffer the distress associated with sexual difficulties. Considering that older adults are at an increased risk of chronic illness, many of which (including their medical treatment) can impact their sexual well-being, this relationship may be particularly relevant for older couples. To start bridging the gap in the understanding of links between older couples’ emotional intimacy, distress about sexual function, and seeking professional help for sexuality-related issues, the current study used a 4-country sample with 218 Norwegian, 207 Danish, 135 Belgian, and 117 Portuguese couples aged 60-75 years. Two hypotheses were explored with a hybrid dyadic analysis: (1) Couple’s emotional intimacy is negatively related to partners’ distress about sexual function, but (2) positively associated with their help-seeking for sexual health issues. Less than 10% of participants in the current study reported seeking professional help, with the majority reporting their primary care physician as the contacted person. Emotional intimacy was consistently (and negatively) associated with female partner’s distress about sexual function across countries, but was unrelated to help-seeking for sexual problems. Understanding the link between a couple’s emotional resources and sexual distress can help health professionals, educators, and therapists to tailor effectively their work with older partnered adults who experience sexual health difficulties.

• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Jurin, Tanja; Graham, Cynthia; Janssen, Erick & Træen, Bente (2019). Emotional intimacy and sexual well-being in aging European couples: A cross-cultural mediation analysis. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: 10.1007/s10433-019-00509-x
• Træen, Bente; Carvalheira, Ana; Hald, Gert Martin; Lange, Theis & Kvalem, Ingela Lundin (2019). Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Older Men and Women Across Europe: Similarities, Differences, and Associations with Their Sex Lives. Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  s 1- 25 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-018-9564-9 Show summary

  The aim of the study was to explore attitudes towards sexuality and sexual behavior in older adults in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. A cross-sectional survey with representative samples of the population aged 60–75 years recruited through phone registers in Norway (676 men and 594 women), Denmark (530 men and 515 women), Belgium (318 men and 672 women), and Portugal (236 men and 273 women) was conducted. The data collection was carried out using an anonymous postal questionnaire. Four dimensions of attitudes towards sexuality were identified: ‘sex for love’, ‘sexual pressure in society’, ‘sex for well-being’, and ‘sexual changes and ageing’. Discriminant analyses identified three discriminant attitude functions: sex for well-being, sexual changes due to ageing, and sex for love. Portuguese men had positive attitudes towards sex as good for well-being in older adults but believed ageing was an obstacle to being sexual at this stage of life. Portuguese women believed sex was good for well-being and did not consider ageing an obstacle to sexual enjoyment. Norwegian men and Danish women believed changes in sexuality due to ageing were no obstacle to being sexual but did not believe that sex was good for well-being. The attitudes of Belgian and Danish men were largely inclined in the direction that sex is not particularly important for elderly people and that changes in sexuality occur due to the ageing process. Men and women were committed to the attitude of sex for love, although this was observed most in Belgian participants and least in Danish men. Positive attitudes towards sex for wellbeing and towards ageing and sexual changes correlated with less change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment, and with increased frequency of intercourse and masturbation. To tailor successful sexual health interventions, attitudes of sexuality in older people should be addressed.

• Træen, Bente; Finstad, Katrine Sørgjerd & Røysamb, Espen (2019). Perfect riders. Personality, Perfectionism and Mental Health in Norwegian Competition Riders.. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.  ISSN 0737-0806.  75, s 82- 89 . doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.01.016
• Træen, Bente; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Hald, Gert Martin & Graham, Cynthia (2019). Extradyadic Activity in European Older Adults. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.
• Træen, Bente; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin & Ohnstad, Ingrid (2019). Experiences of Non-Consensual Sex in Older Adult Men and Women in Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Portugal. Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  24, s 113- 139 . doi: 10.1007/s12119-019-09630-6
• Træen, Bente & Røysamb, Espen (2019). Compatibility of riders’ personality traits and the perceived personality of their horse. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin.  ISSN 2333-522X.
• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Jurin, Tanja & Hald, Gert Martin (2019). Seventy-five years old and still going strong: Stability and change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment in elderly men and women across Europe. International Journal of Sexual Health.  ISSN 1931-7611.  30(4), s 323- 336 . doi: 10.1080/19317611.2018.1472704
• Enoksen, Anette & Træen, Bente (2018). How gay men living with HIV experience and perceive HIV-stigma: A qualitative study. Scandinavian Psychologist.  ISSN 1894-5570.  (5), s 28 . doi: 10.15714/scandpsychol.5.e11 Show summary

  Since HIV’s arrival, it has been stigmatised which has resulted in severe consequences for those living with HIV. Surveys on individuals living with HIV suggest that this group’s physical health and lives has improved through medical advancements but that stigmatisation remains an issue. There is little Norwegian research on the experience of HIV-related stigma among gay men, a group proportionally at greater risk of infection. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate how HIV-related stigma is experienced and perceived by gay men living with HIV and how they deal with it. The study was conducted by interviewing 10 gay men living with HIV in Norway. The interviews were analysed through thematic analysis. Based on the narratives, the findings were organised into four themes and discussed as followed: ‘Encountered stigmatisation’, ‘Living with a secret stigma and the matter of disclosure’, ‘Self-Perception and self-stigma’, and ‘A sense of responsibility’. Contexts, connections, and implications of the findings are presented and discussed. HIV-related stigma is still experienced as an issue among some, but not all, gay men living with HIV. Self-stigma is reported as being the most prevalent issue. Suggested applications of the findings are presented.

• Fischer, Nantje; Træen, Bente & Hald, Gert Martin (2018). Predicting Partnered Sexual Activity among Older Adults in Four European Countries: The Role of Attitudes, Health and Relationship Factors. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  s 1- 19 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2018.1468560 Show summary

  Aim: To investigate factors that predict partnered sexual activity in men and women aged 60–75 years from Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. Methods: Cross-sectional study including national representative samples of people aged 60–75 years from Norway (676 men, 594 women), Denmark (530 men, 515 women), Belgium (318 men, 672 women), and Portugal (236 men, 273 women). Data were collected by means of anonymous questionnaires. Results: Generally, across countries, the two most important predictors of partnered sexual activity were positive attitudes toward ‘Sex for well-being’, and sexual problems in the partner. Other important predictors of partnered sexual activity included positive attitudes toward sexual changes due to aging, previous sexual activity, and relationship happiness. Conclusion: The sexual function of the partner and people’s own sexual attitudes were highly predictive of partnered sexual activity.

• Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Træen, Bente; Markovic, Aleksandra & von Soest, Tilmann (2018). Body Image Development and Sexual Satisfaction: A Prospective Study From Adolescence to Adulthood. Journal of Sex Research.  ISSN 0022-4499. . doi: 10.1080/00224499.2018.1518400 Show summary

  The aim of the current study was to explore whether developmental trajectories of body satisfaction from adolescence to young adulthood predicted measures of sexual satisfaction in young adulthood, even when controlling for important covariates such as gender, weight development, relationship status, mental health, and frequency of sexual intercourse and masturbation. Data were collected from a population-based prospective cohort of Norwegian adolescents (n = 2,587) over a period of 13 years in four waves (1992, 1994, 1999, and 2005; mean age = 14.9 in 1992, 57.3% women). Latent growth curves were estimated for body satisfaction and Body Mass Index (BMI). Men reported higher sexual satisfaction, sexual activity, baseline body satisfaction, and BMI than women. The developmental trajectories revealed a slight increase in body satisfaction and BMI from adolescence to young adulthood in both genders. Moreover, structural equation models showed that baseline body satisfaction in both genders predicted sexual satisfaction as a young adult, independent of relationship status and frequency of sexual activity. Neither the development of BMI nor of body satisfaction predicted sexual satisfaction. The results elucidate the vital role of body satisfaction in sexual satisfaction in adults and the importance of addressing body dissatisfaction in childhood.

• Prell, Emilie & Træen, Bente (2018). Minority Stress and Mental Health Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Norway. Journal of Bisexuality.  ISSN 1529-9716.  s 278- 298 . doi: 10.1080/15299716.2018.1518180
• Schaller, Sidsel; Træen, Bente; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin & Hinchliff, Sharron (2018). Linking the past and the present: constructing meaning from childhood emotional and sexual experiences towards present sexual well-being in older adults. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994. . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2018.1539227
• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Hinchliff, Sharron; Jurin, Tanja; Carvalheira, Ana & Træen, Bente (2018). Successful aging, change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment in couples from four European countries. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: 10.1007/s10433-018-0492-1
• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Hinchliff, Sharron; Jurin, Tanja; Hald, Gert Martin & Træen, Bente (2018). Successful Aging and Changes in Sexual Interest and Enjoyment among Older European Men and Women. Journal of Sexual Medicine.  ISSN 1743-6095.  15(10), s 1393- 1402 . doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.08.011
• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Jurin, Tanja; Graham, Cynthia; Enzlin, Paul & Træen, Bente (2018). Sexual well-being in older men and women: Construction and validation of a multi-dimensional measure in four European countries. Journal of Happiness Studies.  ISSN 1389-4978. . doi: 10.1007/s10902-018-0049-1
• Træen, Bente (2018). Predictors of internalized homonegativity in Norwegian men who have sex with men (MSM).. Scandinavian Psychologist.  ISSN 1894-5570.  5(1) . doi: 10.15714/scandpsychol.5.e2
• Træen, Bente; Carvalheira, Ana; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin & Hald, Gert Martin (2018). European Older Adults’ Use of the Internet and Social Networks for Love and Sex. Cyberpsychology : Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.  ISSN 1802-7962.  12(3) . doi: 10.5817/CP2018-3-1 Show summary

  What is the prevalence of using the Internet for love and sexual activities among older adults across Europe, and what predicts such use? Data were collected in probability samples among populations aged 60–75 years in Norway (N = 1271), Denmark (N = 1045), Belgium (N = 991), and Portugal (N = 509) using postal questionnaires. A total of 36% of men and 15% of women reported having used the Internet for sex and love purposes, most often to watch pornography. The use of the Internet for various love and sex purposes was higher in participants who had a partner, who had masturbation activity and who were satisfied with their current level of sexual activity. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that use of the Internet to find committed partners, watch pornography, buy sex products or seek information or advice was lower in Portuguese men than men in Norway, Denmark, and Belgium. Tailored websites to promote both sexuality and how to preserve a committed relationship are likely to prove important for the aging population.

• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Carvalheira, Ana; Hald, Gert Martin; Lange, Theis & Graham, Cynthia (2018). Sexual Activity and Sexual Satisfaction among Older Adults in Four European Countries. Archives of Sexual Behavior.  ISSN 0004-0002.  48(3), s 815- 829 . doi: 10.1007/s10508-018-1256-x
• Træen, Bente; Carvalheira, Ana; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Graham, Cynthia; Hald, Gert Martin & Enzlin, Paul (2017). Sexuality in Older Adults (65+)—An Overview of the Recent Literature, Part 2: Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction. International Journal of Sexual Health.  ISSN 1931-7611.  29(1), s 11- 21 . doi: 10.1080/19317611.2016.1227012
• Træen, Bente; Hald, Gert Martin; Graham, Cynthia; Enzlin, Paul; Janssen, Erick; Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Carvalheira, Ana & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2017). Sexuality in Older Adults (65+)?An Overview of the Literature, Part 1: Sexual Function and its Difficulties. International Journal of Sexual Health.  ISSN 1931-7611.  29(1), s 1- 10 . doi: 10.1080/19317611.2016.1224286
• Fischer, Nantje & Træen, Bente (2016). Medisinstudenters intensjon om å tematisere seksualitet i behandlingsrommet. Scandinavian Psychologist.  ISSN 1894-5570.  3(e14) . doi: 10.15714/scandpsychol.3.e14
• Henning, Oliver Johannes; Nakken, Karl Otto; Træen, Bente; Mowinckel, Petter & Lossius, Morten (2016). Sexual problems in people with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior.  ISSN 1525-5050.  61, s 174- 179 . doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.05.038
• Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Træen, Bente & Iantaffi, Alex (2016). Internet Pornography Use, Body Ideals, and Sexual Self-Esteem in Norwegian Gay and Bisexual Men. Journal of Homosexuality.  ISSN 0091-8369.  63(4), s 522- 540 . doi: 10.1080/00918369.2015.1083782
• Træen, Bente (2016). Norwegian young adults’ attitudes toward and experience of kinky sexual activities. Scandinavian Psychologist.  ISSN 1894-5570.  3(e15) . doi: 10.15714/scandpsychol.3.e15
• Træen, Bente; Markovic, Aleksandra & Kvalem, Ingela Lundin (2016). Sexual satisfaction and body image: a cross-sectional study among Norwegian young adults. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  31(2), s 123- 137 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2015.1131815 Show summary

  Abstract Objective: To study the relationship between age, gender, body mass index (BMI), body image, and perceived intimacy with partner and sexual satisfaction in young Norwegian adults. Methods: A questionnaire survey was completed online by 27.2 % (n = 568) of a representative national web sample of 2,090 persons aged 18–29 years. Results: Women were more dissatisfied with their body than men and BMI increased with age. A negative body image correlated with BMI, particularly among women. There was no gender difference in reported sexual satisfaction and perceived intimacy with partner. The most important direct path leading to increased sexual satisfaction was from perceived intimacy with partner, followed by body image and age. By influencing body image, BMI and gender influenced sexual satisfaction indirectly. Being male increased the likelihood of having a positive body image, which in turn increased the likelihood of reporting being sexually satisfied. Additionally, a lower BMI increased the likelihood of being satisfied with one’s body, which in turn increased sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: Body image is clearly related to sexual satisfaction, particularly in women. However, body image is not associated with the perception of intimacy with one’s partner, which is the most important factor for feeling sexually satisfied.

• Træen, Bente; Samuelsen, Sven Ove & Roen, Katrina (2016). Sexual Debut Ages in Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults in Norway. Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  s 1- 18 . doi: 10.1007/s12119-016-9353-2 Show summary

  This study estimates sexual debut ages in young heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women in Norway. A questionnaire survey was completed online by 27.2 % of a representative national web sample of 2,090 persons aged 18–29 years. Three self-selected samples of 924 respondents completed an extended version of the survey online. Lesbian and bisexual women reported earlier experience of orgasm through masturbation than heterosexual women (median 13.1 versus 15.2 years), and heterosexual men (median 13.5) reported earlier debut than heterosexual women. There was a statistically significant difference between heterosexual and lesbian and bisexual women’s age at the first experience of receptive vaginal sex (median 16.8 versus 15.4 years). As regards experience of insertive vaginal sex, a significantly higher percentage of heterosexual men than women, and of heterosexual and lesbian and bisexual women, reported experience. It was more common among lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women to have had oral sex with another woman, but in neither group did the cumulative percent reach 50% by the age of 29 years and the median could not be estimated. Gay and bisexual men reported earlier receptive anal sex debut than heterosexual men. With regard to insertive anal sex, gay and bisexual men accumulated experience earlier than heterosexual men, and lesbian and bisexual women acquired this experience earlier than heterosexual women. Compared to heterosexuals, LGB persons of both genders engage in more varied sexual activities. Lesbian and gay persons have same-sex experiences at an earlier age than bisexuals.

• Carlsson, Catharina; Nilsson Ranta, Daniel & Træen, Bente (2015). Mentalizing and Emotional Labor Facilitate Equine-Assisted Social Work with Self-harming Adolescents. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.  ISSN 0738-0151.  32(4), s 329- 339 . doi: 10.1007/s10560-015-0376-6
• Carvalheira, Ana; Træen, Bente & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2015). Masturbation and Pornography Use Among Coupled Heterosexual Men With Decreased Sexual Desire: How Many Roles of Masturbation?. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.  ISSN 0092-623X.  41(6), s 626- 635 . doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2014.958790
• Hald, Gert Martin; Træen, Bente; Noor, Syed W; Iantaffi, Alex; Galos, Dylan & Rosser, Simon (2015). Does Sexually Explicit Media (SEM) affect me? Assessing first-person effects of SEM consumption among Norwegian men who have sex with men. Psychology & Sexuality.  ISSN 1941-9899.  6(1), s 59- 74 . doi: 10.1080/19419899.2014.984516
• Træen, Bente; Noor, Syed W; Hald, Gert Martin; Rosser, B. R. Simon; Brady, Sonya S.; Erickson, Darin J.; Galos, Dylan L.; Grey, Jeremy A.; Horvath, Keith J.; Iantaffi, Alex; Kilian, Gudruna & Wilkerson, J. Michael (2015). Examining the relationship between use of sexually explicit media and sexual risk behavior in a sample of men who have sex with men in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.  ISSN 0036-5564.  56(3), s 290- 296 . doi: 10.1111/sjop.12203
• Træen, Bente; Westerberg, Ane Cecilie; Ono Njøten, Mette & Røysamb, Espen (2015). Predictors of Self-Efficacy in Norwegian Competition Riders. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.  ISSN 0737-0806.  35(10), s 807- 814 . doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.07.021
• Bentzen, Anne Sofie & Træen, Bente (2014). Swinging in Norway in the Context of Sexual Health. Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  18(1), s 132- 148 . doi: 10.1007/s12119-013-9181-6 Show summary

  The aim of the study was to describe the sexual scripts related to ‘swinging’ in Norwegians with particular emphasis on issues related to STI prevention. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with 6 men and 6 women, including 5 heterosexual couples, 1 married man, and 1 single woman, all recruited from Internet groups for swingers. The results showed that the positive outcomes of swinging included the opportunity for participants to explore their own sexuality, see their partner have sex with others, and enhance their self-esteem. Swinging allowed them to act on secret fantasies and intrapsychic scripts. Negative attitudes towards male homosexuality, fear of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and fear of being exposed were reported as problematic consequences of the lifestyle. Furthermore, the swinger script was more clearly defined for clubs than for private settings. In private settings, the swinger script typically borrowed elements from available scripts outside the swingers subculture, such as friendship or dating scripts. The lack of rules to protect oneself from STIs among the older swingers, and among swingers in private settings, may represent a potential threat to sexual health.

• Carlsson, Catharina; Nilsson-Ranta, Daniel & Træen, Bente (2014). Equine assisted social work as a mean for authentic relations between Clients and their staff. Human-animal interaction bulletin.  ISSN 0123-4560.  2(1), s 19- 38
• Carvalheira, Ana; Træen, Bente & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2014). Correlates of Men's Sexual Interest: A Cross-Cultural Study. Journal of Sexual Medicine.  ISSN 1743-6095.  11(1), s 154- 164 . doi: 10.1111/jsm.12345
• Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Træen, Bente; Lewin, Bo & Alexandar, Stulhofer (2014). Self-perceived effects of Internet pornography use, genital appearance satisfaction, and sexual self-esteem among young Scandinavian adults. Cyberpsychology : Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.  ISSN 1802-7962.  8(4) . doi: 10.5817/CP2014-4-4 Show summary

  This study examined the associations among the frequency of viewing Internet pornography, beliefs about how realistically pornography portrays sex, self-perceived effects of one’s pornography use, genital appearance satisfaction, and sexual self-esteem in young adults. Online data were collected from four convenience samples of university students from Norway and Sweden, members of a queer youth organization, and readers of an erotic magazine. Because of cultural similarities and the comparable magnitude and patterns of the bivariate correlations among the samples on the study variables, they were pooled into a single sample (N = 1,274). The majority of men (81.1%) and a minority of women (18.1%) reported at least weekly use of Internet pornography on their personal computers, whereas using a mobile phone or tablet was less common. Most of the participants had sought mainstream pornographic content. Those with a stronger belief in pornographic realism were more likely to perceive the effect of pornography use positively. A hypothesized relationship between self-perceived positive effects of pornography use and a higher level of sexual self-esteem was found for men but not for women. This result was partially due to higher satisfaction with genital appearance among the men who mainly watched mainstream pornography. Genital appearance satisfaction was linked to higher sexual self-esteem for women, but it was not related to the self-perceived effect of pornography use. The results indicate that pornography may expand personal sexual scripts for both men and women, and may have a positive, although modest, influence on the sexual self-esteem of young male adults.

• Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Træen, Bente; Lewin, Bo & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2014). Self-perceived effects of Internet pornography use, genital appearance satisfaction and sexual self-esteem among Young Scandinavian adults. Cyberpsychology : Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace.  ISSN 1802-7962.  8(4)
• Træen, Bente; Hald, Gert Martin; Noor, Syed W; Iantaffi, Alex; Grey, Jeremy A. & Rosser, B. R. Simon (2014). The Relationship Between Use of Sexually Explicit Media and Sexual Risk Behavior in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Exploring the Mediating Effects of Sexual Self-Esteem and Condom Use Self-Efficacy. International Journal of Sexual Health.  ISSN 1931-7611.  26(1), s 13- 24 . doi: 10.1080/19317611.2013.823900
• Træen, Bente; Noor, Syed W; Grey, Jeremy A.; Iantaffi, Alex; Rosser, Simon & Hald, Gert Martin (2014). Sexually Explicit Media and Sexual Risk Behavior in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Norway. Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  18, s 1038- 1051 . doi: 10.1007/s12119-014-9238-1
• Rosser, B. R. S.; Smolenski, D; Erickson, D.; Iantaffi, Alex; Brady, S. S.; Grey, Jeremy A.; Hald, Gert Martin; Horvath, K.; Kilian, G.; Træen, Bente & Wilkerson, J. M. (2013). The Effects of Gay Sexually Explicit Media on the HIV Risk Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men. Aids and Behavior.  ISSN 1090-7165.  17(4), s 1488- 1498 . doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0454-8 Show summary

  This study sought to study consumption patterns of gay-oriented sexually explicit media (SEM) by men who have sex with men (MSM); and to investigate a hypothesized relationship between gay SEM consumption and HIV risk behavior. Participants were 1391 MSM living in the US recruited online to complete a SEM consumption and sexual risk survey. Almost all (98.5%) reported some gay SEM exposure over the last 90 days. While 41% reported a preference to watch actors perform anal sex without condoms (termed “bareback SEM”), 17% preferred to actors perform anal sex with condoms (termed “safer sex SEM”) and 42% reported no preference. Overall SEM consumption was not associated with HIV risk; however participants who watched more bareback SEM reported significantly greater odds of engaging in risk behavior. The results suggest that a preference for bareback SEM is associated with engaging in risk behavior. More research to understand how MSM develop and maintain preferences in viewing SEM, and to identify new ways to use SEM in HIV prevention, is recommended.

• Stige, Signe Hjelen; Binder, Per-Einar; Rosenvinge, Jan H & Træen, Bente (2013). Stories from the road of recovery - How adult, female survivors of childhood trauma experience ways to positive change. Nordic Psychology.  ISSN 1901-2276.  65(1), s 3- 18 . doi: 10.1080/19012276.2013.796083
• Stige, Signe Hjelen; Rosenvinge, Jan H & Træen, Bente (2013). A meaningful struggle: Trauma clients' experiences with an inclusive stabilization group approach. Psychotherapy Research.  ISSN 1050-3307.  23(4), s 419- 429 . doi: 10.1080/10503307.2013.778437
• Stige, Signe Hjelen; Træen, Bente & Rosenvinge, Jan H (2013). The Process Leading to Help Seeking Following Childhood Trauma. Qualitative Health Research.  ISSN 1049-7323.  23(10), s 1295- 1306 . doi: 10.1177/1049732313503907
• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Carvalheira, Ana & Træen, Bente (2013). Is Responsive Sexual Desire for Partnered Sex Problematic among Men? Insights from a Two-Country Study. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  28(3), s 246- 258 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2012.756137 Show summary

  In contrast to the body of research focusing on female sexual desire, there has been very little research into patterns of male sexual desire. This study addresses this deficiency in the literature by providing empirical answers to the following questions: (1) is there a pattern of responsive sexual desire—defined as being predominantly receptive to a partner’s initiation of sexual activity without initially desiring it—among men? (2) Is this pattern associated with lower levels of sexual health than a more spontaneous pattern of male desire?, and (3) Are existing clinical observations regarding possible causes of reduced interest in partnered sex useful for understanding the more responsive men’s sexual desire? A large online survey about men’s sexual interest was conducted in 2011 among 2,215 Norwegian and Portuguese men aged 18–75 years (the average age in the sample was 36.5 years). Sociodemographic, health-related, sociosexual, and relationship-related information was collected. Three distinct patterns of male sexual desire were observed: decreased (23.6%), responsive (2.5%), and spontaneous (73.9%) desire patterns. Men in the more responsive and spontaneous desire groups significantly differed from participants in the decreased desire group, as they reported significantly higher levels of sexual interest, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sexual intercourse and were less likely to have experienced sexual health difficulties in the past 12 months. Interestingly, participants with more responsive and spontaneous desire patterns were indistinguishable in terms of a number of sociodemographic, health-related, sociosexual, and relationship-related variables. The sole predictor of the responsive sexual desire pattern was proneness to relationship-related sexual boredom. Clinical observations about the roles of negative emotions, relationship strain, and specific sexual arousal patterns (homoerotic, autoerotic and/or paraphilic) in the etiology of hypoactive sexual desire did not seem relevant for men with responsive desire.

• Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Træen, Bente & Carvalheira, Ana (2013). Job-related strain and sexual health difficulties among heterosexual men from three European countries: The role of culture and emotional support. Journal of Sexual Medicine.  ISSN 1743-6095.  10(3), s 747- 756 . doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02967.x Show summary

  Introduction: Clinical literature has suggested a link between job-related stress and sexual difficulties in men. However, epidemiological evidence for the association is largely lacking and little is known about the factors that may mediate or moderate the impact of workplace strain on sexual health. Aim: To assess association between job-related difficulties and men’s sexual health and address the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind the relationship. Method: Analyses were carried out using data from an online study carried out in 2011 on convenience samples of Portuguese, Croatian, and Norwegian men (n = 2,112). Multivariate logistic regression and mediation analysis were used to test the hypothesized associations. Main Outcome Measures: Job-related difficulties were measured by ten yes/no questions which addressed a range of adverse workplace situations. The experience of sexual difficulties in the past 12 months was assessed by seven dichotomous indicators developed in the NATSAL 2000 study. Results: Participants with job-related concerns reported lower sexual satisfaction than men without such concerns (F = 7.53, P < .001). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between job-related and sexual health concerns. The odds of experiencing one or more sexual health difficulties in the past 12 months were about 1.8 times higher among men who reported highest levels of workplace difficulties than among participants who experienced no such difficulties. In addition to country-specific effects on sexual health disturbances (AOR = 1.98-2.22, P < .001), higher income (AOR = .87, P < .01), emotional intimacy with one’s partner (AOR = .93, P < .001), and having children (AOR = .62-.66, P < .01) significantly reduced the odds of reporting sexual health disturbances. In all three countries, the relationship between job-related and sexual health difficulties was mediated by negative mood (anxiety and depression), but no evidence was found for moderating role of emotional support (intimacy and fatherhood). The findings are discussed in the context of a multi-dimensional understanding of men’s sexual health.

• Træen, Bente (2013). One night stands, In Leo Bormans (ed.),  The book of love.  Tielt.  ISBN 9789401409230.  Kappittel.  s 164 - 167
• Træen, Bente & Schaller, Sidsel (2013). Seksualitet som tema blant norske psykologer i klinisk praksis. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening.  ISSN 0332-6470.  50(2), s 98- 107
• Træen, Bente & Schaller, Sidsel (2013). Talking to patients about sexual issues: Experiences of Norwegian psychologists. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  28(3), s 281- 291 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2013.768338
• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Carvalheira, Ana (2013). Satisfaction with the division of housework, partner’s perceived attractiveness, emotional intimacy, and sexual satisfaction in married or cohabiting Norwegian middle-class men. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  28(3), s 215- 229 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2013.808323
• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Carvalheira, Ana (2013). The associations among satisfaction with the division of housework, partner's perceived attractiveness, emotional intimacy, and sexual satisfaction in a sample of married or cohabiting Norwegian middle-class men. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.  ISSN 1468-1994.  28(3), s 215- 229 . doi: 10.1080/14681994.2013.808323
• Træen, Bente & Thuen, Frode (2013). Relationship problems and extradyadic romantic and sexual activity in a Web-sample of Norwegian men and women. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology.  ISSN 0036-5564.  54(2), s 137- 145 . doi: 10.1111/sjop.12013 Show summary

  The purpose of this paper is to describe the prevalence of self-reported types of extradyadic romantic and sexual activity among adult Norwegians and to explore the role of infidelity in breaking up a permanent relationship. The results are based on 1,001 web interviews with persons ranging in age from 18 to 67 years. The majority of respondents reported having engaged in some kind of extradyadic romantic and/or sexual activity. Forty-five percent of the women and 39% of the men claimed they had experienced a previous breakup from a marriage or cohabiting relationship. Among those aged 50 years or older, the most important reasons for breaking up a previous relationship were infidelity (38%) and lost love (38%). More men (44%) than women (33%) reported infidelity. Respondents younger than 50 years were more motivated by boredom. Among respondents below the age of 50 years, the most frequently reported reasons for considering termination of a present relationship were quarreling (37%), poor sex life (29%), and “other” reasons (25%). Accordingly, infidelity was not identified as an essential factor for considering a breakup from the present relationship.

• Karlsen, Monica & Træen, Bente (2012). Identifying 'friends with benefits' scripts among young adults in the Norwegian cultural context". Sexuality & Culture.  ISSN 1095-5143.  17(1), s 83- 99 . doi: 10.1007/s12119-012-9140-7 Show summary

  ‘Friends with benefits’ (FWB) is defined as friends having sexual relations without commitment or romantic feeling towards each other. The purpose of this study was to explore the FWB phenomenon among young adults from a Norwegian, heterosexual perspective. Using the underlying theory of sexual scripts, and phenomenology as a research method, semi-structural interviews were conducted with twelve heterosexual women, aged 21 to 28 years, with experience in FWB relationships. Various elements of the relationship were explored: motives and function, definition of an FWB relationship, emotions, intimacy, and social influences. Results revealed that the main function of the FWB relationship appears to be the fulfilment of physical need in a safe context. Furthermore, the majority of subjects did not explicitly define the relationship, or have explicit rules to regulate it. Three types of FWB relationships emerged: the good friends, the lovers, and those who are on the hook. The study showed that people in FWB relationships ‘borrow’ elements from friendship scripts and love scripts, and combine them to form an FWB script. In the public sphere, behaviour is guided solely by this friendship script. It is only in the private sphere that the love script is present in addition to the friendship script.

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• Træen, Bente & Villar, Feliciano (2020). SEXUAL WELL-BEING IS PART OF AGEING WELL. European Journal of Ageing.  ISSN 1613-9372. . doi: 10.1007/s10433-020-00551-0
• Træen, Bente (2019). Sexual function and sexual well-being in older European adults.
• Carvalheira, Ana; Graham, Cynthia & Træen, Bente (2018). Sexual avoidance among older adults across Europe.
• Fischer, Nantje; Træen, Bente & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2018). The Mechanisms between Sexual Interest and Sexual Satisfaction among Older Partnered Adults in Europe: A Moderated Mediation Model.
• Janssen, Erick; Enzlin, Paul & Træen, Bente (2018). Predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction in European couples and individuals, with emphasis on the role of physical intimacy and nonsexual touch.
• Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Carvalheira, Ana & Træen, Bente (2018). Healthy sexual aging: Body image and sexual satisfaction - A comparison across four European countries.
• Schaller, Sidsel; Træen, Bente & Kvalem, Ingela Lundin (2018). Barriers and facilitating elements in help seeking in Norwegian interviewees' accounts.
• Træen, Bente (2018). Eldre og seksualitet - fakta og myter.
• Træen, Bente (2018). Eldre og seksualitet - status på forskning.
• Træen, Bente (2018). Fra sex i middagshøyden til sex i solnedgang.
• Træen, Bente (2018). Seksuell helse hos eldre voksne i Europa.
• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar & Janssen, Erick (2018). THE HEALTHY SEXUAL AGING PROJECT: A MIXED-METHOD STUDY OF SEXUAL FUNCTION AND SEXUAL WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS IN NORWAY, DENMARK, BELGIUM, UNITED KINGDOM, CROATIA, AND PORTUGAL. Show summary

  Objective: To analyze partnered and non-partnered sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in older adults from Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Portugal. Design and method: A cross-sectional survey, with probability samples of the population aged 60-75 years recruited by phone registers in Norway (676 men, 594 women), Denmark (530 men, 515 women), Belgium ( 318 men, 672 women), and Portugal (236 men, 273 women). Data were collected using postal, anonymous questionnaires. Results: In men, the percentage of sexually active participants (reported having had sexual intercourse, masturbation, petting or fondling) in the past year ranged from 83% in Portugal to 91% in Norway. In women, the percentage of sexually active during the last year ranged from 61% in Belgium to 78% in Denmark. Regarding frequency of sexual intercourse activity during the past month, men in Norway, Denmark, and Belgium (23-24%) most often reported 2-3 times per month, whereas most men in Portugal (29%) reported 1-3 times per week. Reporting masturbation activity was most common among Norwegian men (65%) and women (40%). Regarding sexual satisfaction, 40% - 60% of participants reported that they were sexually satisfied. Having a partner was the most important positive predictor of sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in all subgroups except Portuguese men.

• Eidsaa, Randi Margrethe; Kharatyan, Mariam; Despard, Annabelle; Svalsrød, Roger; Træen, Bente; Støkken, Anne Marie; Berget, Bente; Johansen, Bjørn Tore; Lübbe, Ann Cathrin & Kok, Vincent (2017). Tverrfaglig symposium i en kunstnerisk kontekst med utgangspunkt i fotograf Roger Svalsrøds utstilling Shaken 'n Stirred.
• Træen, Bente (2017). Bruk av seksuelt eksplisitte medier og seksuell risikoatferd hos norske menn som har sex med menn. BestPractice Infeksjonsmedisin NO nr. 5..
• Træen, Bente (2017). Seksualitet og seksualatferd, I: Knut Inge Klepp & Leif Edvard Aarø (red.),  Ungdom, livsstil og helsefremmende arbeid.  Gyldendal Akademisk.  ISBN 978-82-05-46398-1.  Kapittel 14.  s 287 - 304
• Træen, Bente; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Graham, Cynthia; Hald, Gert Martin; Enzlin, Paul & Carvalheira, Ana (2016). Healthy sexual aging: Sexual function and sexual well-being in older European adults. http://openscienceeu.com/.  s 61- 63
• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirell; Landmark, Brynjar Fowels; Fjeld, Wenche; Schaller, Sidsel & Træen, Bente (2015). Sexuality as a topic in clinical practise amongst Norwegian health personel.
• Henning, Oliver Johannes; Træen, Bente & Nakken, Karl Otto (2014). Sexual dysfunction and sexual well-being in People With epilepsy in Norway.
• Træen, Bente (2014). Dette vet vi om porno. Dagbladet.  ISSN 0805-3766.
• Træen, Bente & Sveen, Heidi Helene (2014). Porno er ikke farlig. Dagbladet.no.
• Carvalheira, Ana; Træen, Bente & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2013). Pornography use and masturbation among heterosexal men With lacked sexual interest: Diverse patterns of sexual arousal?.
• Træen, Bente (2013). Den seksuelle lavalderens symbolverdi. Ytring : NRK.
• Træen, Bente (2013, 20. august). Jenter syke av sexpress.  VG.
• Træen, Bente & Stulhofer, Aleksandar (2013). The Consumption of Sexually Explicit Media (SEM) Among Young Adults in Norway.
• Schaller, Sissel & Træen, Bente (2012). Talking to patients about sexual issues - Norwegian psychologists' experiences.
• Syse, Aslak; Brumoen, Trine Kjus; Fangen, Kim; Frøland, Stig Sophus; Hofmann, Bjørn; Hognerud, Inger-Lise; Keller-Fløystad, Jannicke; Moseng, Bera Ulstein; Skjelmerud, Anne; Søbstad, Øystein; Thorheim, Karl Otto & Træen, Bente (2012). Om kjærlighet og kjøletårn: strafferettslige spørsmål ved alvorlige smittsomme sykdommer. NOU - Norges offentlige utredninger. 2012/17.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 14. mars). Alt om seksualitet på 5 minutter. [Internett].  www.nrk/skole.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 22. november). Barn er avhengige av porno.  VG.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 01. november). Bli en mester i senga.  Dagbladets God Torsdag.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 07. september). De aseksuelle.  Agderposten.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 24. november). De fleste som er utro er det med en kollega.  Dagbladet.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 08. september). De uinteresserte. En prosent av befolkningen er aseksuelle.  Drammens tidende.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 28. juni). Deler sexbilder på mobilen.  VG.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 10. april). Derfor blir du våryr. [Internett].  www.nrk.no.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 14. september). Derfor elsker vi mykporno sex.  Dagbladet.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 02. september). Det er greit ikke å ha til lyst å prøve dette.  VG.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 17. juni). Dette liker vi best:.  VG.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 23. mars). Dette tenner virkelig kvinner.  Dagbladet.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 17. august). Eks på omgang.  Elle.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 31. mars). Fifty shades of grey.  Magasinet, Dagbladet.
• Træen, Bente (2012, 23. oktober). Fifty shades of grey & BDSM. [Radio].  NRK P1 Norgesglasset.

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