Goals

Promoting sexual health throughout the life cycle. This objective is founded on a positive view of sexuality and assumes that sexuality manifests itself in different ways throughout one’s life. In the case of children, our investigation has exclusively been focused on the prevention of sexual abuse. With respect to adolescents, we have centred on the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, the risks of sexing (the act of sending personal images of oneself, or someone else, with sexual content), and promoting sexual assertiveness as a personal tool for good sexual health. In young adults and adults we are focused on the aspects involved in the sexual satisfaction of people with sexual diversity. And lastly, we have also chosen to analyse body image and other aspects relating to quality of life in women undergoing menopause.
Preventing sexual risk behaviour. This is the objective with which the research group was conceived. Initially we centred on identifying the variables that predict risk behaviours leading to HIV infection, a line of research in which we have the highest scientific output. Currently, this objective has expanded with transcultural studies with the participation of countries like Mexico, Columbia, Chile, Argentina, Portugal and Italy, in addition to different regions of Spain, in which we examine behaviours, attitudes, and motivations that drive adolescents and young adults to participate in sexting.
Promoting sexual health in persons with intellectual functional diversity. In order to achieve this objective, we have developed programs in affective-sexual education that target adolescents on the autism spectrum and adults with intellectual functional diversity varying in support needs, etc. We are continuously adapting these programs to the needs of each group.
The prevention and intervention of addiction to or unhealthy use of sexting, cybersex, porn, etc. After performing a national epidemiological study, we are now developing online intervention programs, in groups or one-on-one, for individuals who suffer from addiction or unhealthy use of these digital platforms.
Promoting sexual health in groups of adolescents and young people at risk of social exclusion because they have been victims of neglect, mistreatment or abuse, or because they have committed a crime and are under court order.
Promoting sexual health in groups of adults at risk of social exclusion: male sex workers, transgender persons, etc.