Sexual Behavior Mediates the Relationship Between Sexual Approach Motives and Sexual Outcomes: A Dyadic Daily Diary Study

How Conversational Goals Predict Sexual Self-Disclosure Decisions

Communicating verbally about sexual topics is one aspect of sexual communication, and romantic partners have to choose whether to disclose sexual information. The present study used conversational goals - what one hopes to accomplish in the conversation - to examine how people decide whether or not to engage in sexual self-disclosure. In an online survey, romantically involved participants (n = 428) provided data on four conversational goals (instrumental, impression management, identity, and relational), disclosure efficacy, disclosure anxiety, and likelihood to sexually self-disclose. Mediation model results indicated that the instrumental goal was directly associated with greater likelihood to disclose while the impression management goal was directly associated with less likelihood to disclose. The instrumental, impression management, and relational goals were indirectly connected with the likelihood to sexually self-disclose as mediated by disclosure efficacy and anxiety. The results highlight the importance of considering conversational goals perspectives when studying communication about taboo topics. Implications for future research are discussed.

Attachment, Sexual Motives, and Sexual Satisfaction among Couples Expecting their First Child

This study examined direct and indirect links among attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and sexual satisfaction through sexual motives in couples expecting their first child. A sample of 204 first-time pregnant couples completed online questionnaires. Dyadic path analyses revealed that attachment and sexual satisfaction were not directly associated, but rather indirectly associated through three sexual motives: partner approval, self-affirmation, and intimacy. For non-pregnant partners, attachment anxiety was related to higher sexual satisfaction through higher intimacy, whereas attachment avoidance was related to lower sexual satisfaction through lower intimacy. Results are discussed in light of clinical implications for expecting couples.

The Roles of Body Image, Sexual Motives, and Distraction in Women's Sexual Pleasure

Women with body image concerns are more likely to experience sexual difficulties (e.g., with arousal, lubrication, orgasm). However, the processes by which body image impacts sexual well-being are poorly understood. We theorized that women with negative body image are less likely to view sex in terms of reward, leading them to have weaker approach sexual motives (i.e., to pursue positive experiences such as pleasure). Rather, women with negative body image may have sex to avoid personal insecurities and negative emotions, leading them to have stronger avoidance sexual motives (i.e., to cope with negative affect or to avoid partner conflict). In turn, we theorized that stronger approach sexual motives may allow women to be more focused on erotic cues during sex, thereby enhancing sexual pleasure, whereas avoidance motives may lead to greater distraction, interfering with sexual pleasure. Women (N = 1619) were recruited from online venues and reported on their body image and most recent sex. We found that body dissatisfaction was associated with weaker self-focused approach motives and in turn more distraction. Additionally, body dissatisfaction was associated with stronger self- and partner-focused avoidance motives and in turn more distraction. In turn, more distraction was associated with less pleasure and worse sexual function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of whether body image in women is associated with their sexual motives. Findings highlight the importance of sexual motives in explaining the link between body image and sexual pleasure and function.

More than the sum of their parts: A dyad-centered approach to understanding adolescent sexual behavior

BACKGROUND

Research has documented multiple levels of influences on adolescent sexual behavior, but has generally focused less on the relational nature of this behavior. Studies with dyadic data have provided important findings on relationship process, including the role of gender in different-sex dyads. However, both of these bodies of literature typically utilize a variable-centered approach, which examines average influences of particular variables on sexual behavior. This study expands upon this research by presenting a dyad-centered approach to adolescent sexual behavior that can identify types of couples based on patterns of multidimensional risk and protective factors.

METHODS

I demonstrate the dyad-centered approach using data from different-sex dyads in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to uncover profiles marked by individual, parent, peer, and religion predictors for both male and female partners.

RESULTS

Analyses uncovered five classes of dyadic influences, four of which were marked by relative similarity between partners and one marked by lesser approval of sex for women compared to men. Dyads marked by both partners intending to have sex and being in a context that is more approving of sex were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of influences and intentions to have sex among adolescent couples, and identify profiles of dyads who are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse. This approach can explicate dyadic processes involved in sexual behavior and the types of couples that exist in a population, leading to more tailored and efficacious interventions.

Comparing the Effect of Extended PLISSIT Model and Group Counseling on Sexual Function and Satisfaction of Pregnant Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Changes in the performance and sexual satisfaction of women during pregnancy can be one of the important factors involved in the emergence of sexual problems in women. This study aimed to compare the effect of Extended Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, Intensive Therapy (Ex-PLISSIT) and group counseling on sexual function and satisfaction of pregnant women. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 111 pregnant women from 2016 to 2018 in Zanjan, Iran. Eligible participants were selected through convenience sampling method and allocated into three groups Ex-PLISSIT model, group counseling and control group, using block randomization method. Sexual function and sexual satisfaction were evaluated via the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Hudson’s sexual satisfaction questionnaire at baseline and four weeks after the last counseling session. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 13 and ANCOVA, ANOVA, Wilcoxon, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis tests. Results: Median (interquartile range) of the participants’ sexual function in the Ex-PLISSIT group was 25.9 (4) in the counseling group, 26 (5.5), in the control group, and 25.8 (4.8) at the baseline. These scores changed to 28.9 (5.4), 27.9 (5.1), and 25.2 (4.3) at the 4-week follow-up, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean sexual satisfaction scores between the three groups, at the follow up period. Conclusion: Providing sexual counseling by any approach during routine prenatal care by community midwives may improve couples’ sexual health.

Self-Focused Reasons for Having Sex: Associations Between Sexual Goals and Women's Pain and Sexual and Psychological Well-being for Couples Coping With Provoked Vestibulodynia

BACKGROUND

For couples coping with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), interpersonal sexual goals are associated with sexual and psychological functioning as well as women's pain during intercourse, however, self-focused sexual goals (eg, having sex for personal pleasure, having sex to avoid feeling bad about oneself) have not been studied in this clinical population.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-focused approach and avoidance sexual goals and women's pain during intercourse and sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms for both women and their partners.

METHODS

Women diagnosed with PVD (N = 69) and their partners completed measures of self-focused sexual goals, sexual satisfaction, and depressive symptoms. Women also reported on pain experienced during sexual intercourse.

OUTCOMES

Outcomes included the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and a Numerical Rating Scale of pain during sexual intercourse.

RESULTS

When women reported higher self-focused approach sexual goals, they also reported lower pain intensity. Women's higher self-focused avoidance sexual goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms, whereas men's higher self-focused approach goals were associated with their own higher depressive symptoms. When controlling for frequency of sexual intercourse, there were no significant associations between women or partners' sexual goals and sexual satisfaction.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Within a clinical context where many interpersonal pressures for sex exist, interventions should target self-focused sexual goals alongside interpersonal sexual goals to improve pain and psychological adjustment.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the first study to examine self-focused sexual goals among women with PVD and their partners. This study is cross-sectional, and the direction of associations cannot be inferred. Couples were in mixed-sex relationships, and results may not generalize to same-sex couples.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that self-focused goals are relevant to the psychological adjustment of women with PVD and their male partners and for women's pain. Corsini-Munt S, Bergeron S, Rosen NO. Self-Focused Reasons for Having Sex: Associations Between Sexual Goals and Women's Pain and Sexual and Psychological Well-being for Couples Coping With Provoked Vestibulodynia. J Sex Med 2020;17:975-984.