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About

My research has two foci – first, understanding factors that enhance sexual and relationship satisfaction, and second, investigating factors that promote condom use and sexual health. First, I have used quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate factors that inhibit and enhance sexual arousal and desire, such as body image and relationship duration, among heterosexual men and women, sexual minority women, midlife adults, university students and more. Most recently, I have investigated these topics in the context of social isolation during the pandemic aong long-term couples. I recently completed a Masters of Counselling and practicing as a therapist has given me many insights (and more questions!) which are informing my research. Keeping the spark alive in long term relationships, motivations for sex and sexual desire, communication and relationship negotiation are all themes in my clinical and empirical work. I am a member of the international Kinsey Institute – Condom Use Research Team. We investigate predictors and correlates of sexual health behaviour, and have developed a series of interventions to increase correct and consistent condom use. Almost all of my research projects and publications include student collaborators, and helping to get undergraduate and graduate students excited about the research process is one of my most important research aims. I apppreciate a collaborative working style, working alongside at a coffee shop, and sharing ideas across all levels of graduate training (e.g., phd students supporting undergrads etc.).

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Skills

Experience

Organization
Professor

University of Guelph

Mar-2015 to Present

Publication

Changes in marital relationships over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective The aim of this study was to document changes in marital relationships over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Background Research has suggested both positive and negative e...

  • dott image August, 2022

An exploratory test of a couples-based condom-use intervention designed to promote pleasurable and safer penile–vaginal sex among university student...

Objective: Dual use of male condoms and female contraceptives is widely advocated for unplanned pregnancy prevention, yet college students often neglect condoms. This feasibility and accepta...

  • dott image September, 2020

A home-practice intervention for increasing condom use among university undergraduates

The consistently high rate of sexually transmitted infections among people 18–24 years old warrants novel strategies promoting condom use among large segments of this population. Ample o...

‘What happens in Banff, stays in Banff’: contextual and interpersonal factors contributing to sexual-risk taking among tourism workers

Journal : Tourism Recreation Research 2320-0308

Tourism destinations are contexts which are often characterised by unique norms for social and sexual behaviours which have implications for health and wellbeing. The purpose of this qualita...

A Cross-Country Comparison of Reasons for Condom Use during Menses: Associations with Age and Gender Inequality

Objectives: Despite evidence that menstrual bleeding is a risk factor for sexually transmissible infections, few studies have assessed the prevalence of, and reasons for, condom use during m...

Condoms

Consistent use of the male latex condom is an effective method of reducing the risk of transmitting and acquiring many sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and unintended pregnancy...

Arousal and Arousability

The Sexual Arousability Inventory and the Sexuality Arousability Inventory—Expanded measure sexual arousability and anxiety. Construct validity of the Arousability scale has been demonstra...

  • dott image February, 2019

Corrigendum to: Decision making over condom use during menses to avert sexually transmissible infections

Background:The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that receptive partners in penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI) who exercise independent decision making over condom use during mens...

The Protective Value of Discussing Condom Use: A Study of Young Black Men Attending STI Clinics in the Southern United States

Young Black men (YBM) experience disparities in both HIV incidence and incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs); thus, developing efficacious behavioral interventions is...

A pilot test of a self-guided, home-based intervention to improve condom-related sexual experiences, attitudes, and behaviors among young women

Objective: To conduct a pilot test of a brief, self-guided, home-based program designed to improve male condom use attitudes and behaviors among young women. Participants: Women aged 18–24...