(O-43) Sexual beliefs among Brazilian cisgender women and men

Abstract Introduction Sexual beliefs are constructed from lifelong learning and lived experiences and can be related to cultural environment, education, religion, and sexual orientation. If these beliefs become dysfunctional, they can precipitate or maintain sexual dysfunctions. This study investigates the association between sexual beliefs and characteristics of Brazilian cisgender women and men who use the internet. Methods An anonymous web-based cross-sectional study was conducted including Brazilian cisgender women and men aged ≥18 years. Sociodemographic and depression and anxiety (self-reported) data were collected. The Brazilian male and female versions of the Sexual Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ) were used. The higher the scores, the greater the dysfunctional beliefs. Linear regression models were constructed to examine the association between the SBQ score and the other variables. Results 512 women and 222 men were included: 586 (79.8%) aged ≤49 years, 385 (52.4%) had a graduate degree, 588 (80.1%) declared themselves heterosexual, 460 (62.7%) had a religion, 122 (16.6%) attended religious ceremonies weekly, 148 (20.2%) reported depression, and 241 (32.8%), anxiety. For men and women, higher education and being non-heterosexual status were associated with lower SBQ scores (Table). For men, depression was associated with higher scores. For women, weekly attendance at religious ceremonies and evangelical religions were associated with higher scores, while age ≥ 50 years and Afro-Brazilian religions were associated with lower scores. Conclusions For women, religiosity was associated with higher dysfunctional sexual beliefs, but Afro-Brazilian religions, polytheistic and characterized by a balance of power between male and female deities, were associated with lower levels of dysfunctional sexual beliefs. New studies on sexual beliefs and the characteristics associated with them could support cognitive approaches to sexual dysfunctions. Financing No conflict.