The uses and abuses of sex

Summary From a teleological point of view, most sexual behavior can be assessed in terms of the private purpose of the person employed in it. This permits a psychological point of view that yet takes full account of an ethical system of values. Sexual behavior can be classified as useful or useless, depending upon whether the purpose is socially useful or socially useless. The latter is either openly destructive in consequences or fails to lead to satisfactory and meaningful sexual activity. Neurotic and sociopathic sexual symptoms all seem to be examples ofabuses ratheruses of sex. Such a value system can probably be useful to all counselors, clergy as well as members of the other healing profession.     

The effects of rational-emotive therapy and relaxation training on premenstrual syndrome: A preliminary study

Six female subjects who were between 31 and 44 years of age attended a premenstrual syndrome (PMS) clinic and participated in a group therapy program designed to alleviate their premenstrual symptoms. Rational-emotive therapy (RET) and relaxation training were offered in addition to ongoing progesterone treatment in an effort to alleviate severe psychological symptoms thought to be occasioned by the hormonal changes occurring during the premenstrual week. Pre-treatment assessments were carried out using Moos' Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, Broadbent's Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, and Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire. Additionally, levels of self-reported psychological and physical menstrual distress symptoms were estimated by the subjects at each premenstruum throughout the ten-week therapy program. At the end of the ten week therapy program hormone treatment was discontinued. Significant pre-test to post-test differences were found in a number of psychological and physical symptoms of menstrual distress, in cognitive functioning and neuroticism, following the combined group treatment. Improvements in psychological functioning during premenstruum were observed at a one-year follow-up. RET and relaxation together with hormonal therapy produced a substantial reduction in PMS symptoms in comparison with drug treatment alone.