Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an operational definition of sexuality for use in assessments by professionals in Japan's health and medical areas.
Method: After reviewing the definitions in textbooks and dictionaries and operational definitions in original articles, analysis was conducted on 32 original articles collected by searches of the ICHUSHI Web from 1995 to 2010, with reference to the Walker & Avant conceptual analysis method.
Results: In considering sexuality in health and medical care domains in Japan, it was clarified that sexuality relates to the personal sexual characteristics and interaction with a sexual partner. Personal sexual characteristics included “degree of concern for sex,” “the importance of sex,” and “male- and female-related evaluations.” Interaction with a sexual partner included “spending time together,” “verbal communication,” “physical contact (‘skinship’),” “mutual consideration,” and “condition of sexual intercourse.”
Conclusion: Because our developed operational definition verifies the existence of sexuality, it is available for assessment by Japan's health and medical professionals.
