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Hiemstra J, van Tuijl P, van Lankveld J. The associations of sexual desire, daily stress, and intimacy in gay men in long-term relationships. Int J Impot Res 2024; 36:248-255. [PMID: 36670284 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00664-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the associations between daily stress, sexual desire and intimacy in gay men in long-term relationships. A daily diary method of data collection was used. Twenty-two adult participants completed brief questionnaires ten times per day during seven consecutive days. Multilevel regression analyses revealed significant negative associations of daily stress with sexual desire (p = 0.003); higher stress came with lower levels of sexual desire, and vice versa. The hypothesized moderation effect of the associations of stress with sexual desire by intimacy was found significant (p = 0.003). However, the effect was not as predicted: at higher levels of intimacy the negative effect of stress on sexual desire was shown to be stronger than at lower levels. Most temporal associations of stress and intimacy with sexual desire were not significant. Nevertheless, the present findings implicate that daily stress and intimacy are important factors in sexual functioning of gay men in long-term relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piet van Tuijl
- Department of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Wieczorek LL, Chivers M, Koehn MA, DeBruine LM, Jones BC. Age Effects on Women's and Men's Dyadic and Solitary Sexual Desire. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3765-3789. [PMID: 35916987 PMCID: PMC9663354 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02375-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
While most studies on sexuality in later life report that sexual desire declines with age, little is known about the exact nature of age effects on sexual desire. Using self-reported dyadic sexual desire relating to a partner, dyadic sexual desire relating to an attractive person, and solitary sexual desire from a large (N > 8000) and age diverse (14.6-80.2 years) online sample, the current study had three goals: First, we investigated relationships between men and women's sexual desire and age. Second, we examined whether individual differences such as gender/sex, sexual orientation, self-rated masculinity, relationship status, self-rated attractiveness, and self-rated health predict sexual desire. Third, we examined how these associations differed across sexual desire facets. On average, the associations between age and both men and women's sexual desire followed nonlinear trends and differed between genders/sexes and types of sexual desire. Average levels of all types of sexual desire were generally higher in men. Dyadic sexual desire related positively to self-rated masculinity and having a romantic partner and solitary desire was higher in people with same-sex attraction. We discuss the results in the context of the evolutionary hypothesis that predict an increase of sexual desire and female reproductive effort prior to declining fertility. Our findings both support and challenge beliefs about gender/sex specificity of age effects on sexual desire and highlight the importance of differentiating between desire types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa L Wieczorek
- Institute of Psychology, Educational Psychology and Personality Development, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Meredith Chivers
- Department of Psychology, Sexuality and Gender Lab, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Monica A Koehn
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Lisa M DeBruine
- School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Benedict C Jones
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
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3
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Peixoto MM, Lopes J. Solitary and Dyadic Sexual Desire and Sexual Satisfaction in Women With and Without Sexual Concerns. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2022; 49:77-87. [PMID: 35587123 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2022.2077271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Women's sexual difficulties have been associated with sexual-related dimensions. The present study aims to analyze the differences between women with and without sexual concerns, according to the Female Sexual Functioning Index cutoff score, on dyadic and solitary sexual desire and sexual satisfaction dimensions. A total of 314 women participated in the study and answered to a sociodemographic screening, to the Sexual Desire Inventory - 2, to the Female Sexual Functioning Index, and to the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women. Main findings showed that women with sexual concerns revealed lower levels of global sexual desire and partner-related sexual desire, experienced lower levels of communication and compatibility with sexual partner, and have more personal and relational sexual concerns. Overall, results enhance the role of dyadic and relational dimensions that allow to differentiate between women with and without sexual concerns. Clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Manuela Peixoto
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Universidades Lusíada - Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidades Lusíada - Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Júlia Lopes
- Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidades Lusíada - Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Sundgren M, Damiris I, Stallman H, Kannis-Dymand L, Millear P, Mason J, Wood A, Allen A. Investigating psychometric measures of sexual wellbeing: a systematic review. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2022.2033967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Madison Sundgren
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Isabella Damiris
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Helen Stallman
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Lee Kannis-Dymand
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Prudence Millear
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Jonathan Mason
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Sunshine Coast Mind & Neuroscience – Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Andrew Wood
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Sunshine Coast Mind & Neuroscience – Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
| | - Andrew Allen
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
- Sunshine Coast Mind & Neuroscience – Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia
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Mangas P, Granados R, Cervilla O, Sierra JC. Validation of the Orgasm Rating Scale in Context of Sexual Relationships of Gay and Lesbian Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19020887. [PMID: 35055709 PMCID: PMC8776139 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Currently, no validated instrument exists for assessing the subjective experience of orgasm in the gay population. The Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS), previously validated in the heterosexual population, comprises four dimensions: Affective, Sensory, Intimacy, and Rewards. This study validated it for sexual relationships in the gay population by obtaining its factorial invariance by sexual orientation and sex, its internal consistency reliability, and evidence of validity in its relationship with other variables. We assessed 1600 cisgender Spanish adults–heterosexuals, gays, and lesbians–divided into 4, sex-based groups of 400 each, according to the Kinsey scale scores. Participants reported recent experiences of orgasm in the context of sexual relationships and responded to the ORS and other scales assessing attitude toward sexual fantasies and sexual functioning. The ORS structure showed a strict multigroup-level invariance by sexual orientation and sex, confirming its four-dimensional structure. The subjective orgasm intensity was associated with a positive attitude toward sexual fantasies and sexual functioning. Scores obtained on the Affective, Intimacy, and Rewards dimensions confirmed the ability to discriminate between gay people with and without orgasmic difficulties. The ORS’s Spanish version presents good psychometric properties as a validated scale to evaluate the subjective experience of orgasm in the gay population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Mangas
- Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (P.M.); (O.C.); (J.C.S.)
| | - Reina Granados
- Department of Nursey, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Oscar Cervilla
- Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (P.M.); (O.C.); (J.C.S.)
| | - Juan Carlos Sierra
- Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain; (P.M.); (O.C.); (J.C.S.)
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van Lankveld JJDM, Dewitte M, Verboon P, van Hooren SAH. Associations of Intimacy, Partner Responsiveness, and Attachment-Related Emotional Needs With Sexual Desire. Front Psychol 2021; 12:665967. [PMID: 34234713 PMCID: PMC8255964 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this online cross-sectional survey study in a large community sample we investigated the associations between attachment-related relational needs, partner responsiveness, intimacy, and sexual desire, using structural equation modeling. Participants were heterosexual and non-heterosexual women and men. Intimacy and partner responsiveness correlated positively with sexual desire in all subsamples. Anxious attachment-related relational needs correlated positively with sexual desire. Avoidant attachment-related relational needs correlated negatively with sexual desire. Anxious and avoidant attachment-related needs, however, did not moderate the association between intimacy and sexual desire. Individuals with problems of low sexual desire may benefit from an emphasis in sex therapy on ways to increase (perceptions of) intimacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marieke Dewitte
- Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Peter Verboon
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands
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Sexual Desire and Fantasies in the LGBT+ Community: Focus on Lesbian Women and Gay Men. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-020-00263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge around sexual desire, fantasies, and related biopsychosocial factors that may facilitate or obstruct sexual expressions in lesbian women and gay men.
Recent Findings
Sexual desire levels and related problems do not seem significantly different in people who identify as gay or lesbian compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Evidence has shown lesbian women and gay men may have specific desire expressions and biopsychosocial factors influencing their sexual health. This may suggest the importance of deepening the understanding of the unique factors of LGBT+ sexuality and relationships while paying attention to the sociocultural background in which lesbian and gay people grow and develop their identities.
Summary
A lack of specific and unbiased literature on sexual desire and fantasies in gay and lesbian people is reported. Available evidence is controversial and often biased. LG people showed a variety of sexual expressions that are hard to categorize referring to the heteronormative sexual standards that permeate literature and clinical practice. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
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