Object of desire self-consciousness theory

Small Effects, Questionable Outcomes: Bremelanotide for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Efficacy outcomes are only informative to the extent that they are validated. We examined the measurement properties of efficacy measures from the phase III ("RECONNECT") bremelanotide trials for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women. Continuous efficacy outcomes, including a) the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and its Desire domain (FSFI-D) and b) the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Desire/Arousal/Orgasm (FSDS-DAO) and its item assessing distress due to low desire (FSDS-DAO #13) have questionable, at best, validity evidence for women with HSDD. We found no validity evidence for previously published categorical treatment response outcomes from the RECONNECT trials. All efficacy results should be reported, but results on 8 of the 11 clinicaltrials.gov-specified efficacy outcomes were heretofore unpublished (including FSDS-DAO total score, FSFI total score, FSFI arousal domain, and items from the Female Sexual Encounter Profile-Revised). We analyzed these outcomes, upon which effect sizes ranged from nil to small. Several other continuous and categorical outcomes generated modest apparent benefits, though nearly all of these outcomes were likely derived post-hoc. Across RECONNECT trial data from two prior publications and the current study, bremelanotide's benefits are statistically modest and limited to outcomes for which scant evidence of validity among women with HSDD exists.

Sexual Subjectivity in Solo and Partnered Masturbation Experiences Among Emerging Adult Women

This qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences and attitudes toward masturbation among emerging adult women. The study was the first to compare women's solo and partnered masturbation experiences, focusing on how feelings of pleasure, sexual desire, and a sense of empowerment-important markers of women's sexual subjectivity-varied across the two contexts. The sample consisted of 40 women between the ages of 18 and 22 years. The majority of participants identified as Latina (33%) or Black (30%) and were enrolled in community college. Semi-structured interviews about women's masturbation experiences were analyzed using thematic analysis. Women described a multitude of feelings, including pleasure but also awkwardness and guilt. Although women did not describe their masturbation practices as morally wrong, they often alluded to disliking masturbation and preferring it less to partnered sex. Whereas some attitudes and feelings (e.g., awkwardness) arose in the context of both solo and partnered masturbation encounters, others were prevalent only in one (e.g., guilt in the solo encounters). Feelings of pleasure, sexual desire, and empowerment manifested differently in the two contexts. There was more focus on self-knowledge, control, and physical pleasure in the solo encounters and more enjoyment of a partner's desire and intimacy in the partnered encounters. We examine the findings through a feminist lens and consider how race/ethnicity, sexual scripts, and contemporary societal contexts shape women's sexual lives.

Dyadic Sexual Desire in Romantic Relationships: The Dyadic Interactions Affecting Dyadic Sexual Desire Model

In most theoretical models, sexual desire for one's partner is predominantly conceptualized from an individual perspective. There is, however, a growing body of empirical evidence on the dyadic aspects of sexual desire. That evidence is as yet not well-integrated into theoretical conceptualizations of sexual desire. Aiming to fill this gap, we present the Dyadic Interactions Affecting DyadIC Sexual desire model (DIADICS), a new conceptual model inspired by systems theory that describes how dyadic interactions between partners influence dyadic sexual desire in romantic relationships. After defining dyadic sexual desire, we discuss (1) the structure of dyadic interactions, (2) their content, and (3) the process through which they affect dyadic sexual desire in a romantic relationship. Thereafter, we review theoretical, clinical, and empirical insights underscoring the relation between dyadic interactions and (dyadic) sexual desire, use DIADICS as a framework for understanding fluctuations in dyadic sexual desire in long-term relationships, and conclude by discussing implications of DIADICS for research and clinical practice.

Questionnaire for Turn-on Initiation Preference: Development and Initial Reliability and Validation

This article presents four studies conducted to develop and validate a self-report measure of sexual turn-on initiation preference - the Questionnaire for Turn-On Initiation Preference (QTIP). Sexual initiation is a vital stage of sexual activity and yet there are few prior measures of initiation. Moreover, previous measures have focused exclusively on the person initiating and none have addressed the turn-on preferences of the recipient of the initiation. The objective of this questionnaire is to understand how individuals prefer their partner to initiate sex that enhances erotic turn-on. This questionnaire was developed in four stages. Study 1 focused on item generation using qualitative data from 219 men and women. Study 2 tested the original items on 2,027 respondents assessing potential factor structure, followed by item revisions and additions. Study 3 (N = 5,812) assessed the revised 61 items on a larger sample and evaluated factor structure, and Study 4 (N = 1,848) tested the factor structure of the 66-item version, with an exploratory factor analysis, capturing a four-factor structure of turn-on preference: Emotional, Seductive-Exotic, Surrender, and Sensation. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit for the final short version of QTIP with 26 items, good test-retest reliability and convergent validity. Theoretical frameworks are discussed along with gender differences and clinical applications.

Differentiating contributions of self-objectification and self-sexualization to young women's sexual agency

Findings consistently illustrate the negative association between women's sexual objectification and their sexual functioning. At the same time, some scholars argue that sexualized self-presentation may be a way to embrace one's sexuality and may signify empowerment. To date, no studies have explicitly explored the potential differential contributions of self-objectification and self-sexualization to multiple aspects of women's sexual agency. Towards this end, we surveyed 556 undergraduate women to examine how body surveillance, self-objectification, and self-sexualization differentially predict women's sexual assertiveness, sexual satisfaction, feelings of entitlement to sexual pleasure, condom use self-efficacy, and sexual esteem. Path analysis demonstrated consistent negative links between body surveillance, one behavioral manifestation of self-objectification, and sexual agency outcomes, but revealed both negative and positive links between measures of sexualization and sexual agency. This complex set of associations highlights the value of studying self-objectification and self-sexualization both in tandem and separately, so that researchers can develop a better understanding of the implications of each for women's sexual agency.

Premature ejaculation and stress

Recent findings indicate that men with premature ejaculation report more frequent sexual problems associated with increased anxiety and interpersonal difficulties. Bearing this in mind, the neuroendocrine changes were examined in men with premature ejaculation and compared to other indicators of stressful experiences to see whether there can be any correlation which could indicate how these factors may contribute to the aetiology of premature ejaculation. Our study comprised 60 male outpatients diagnosed as having secondary premature ejaculation. Clinical examinations were focused on biochemical analysis of cortisol and psychometric scoring using a diagnostic tool for premature ejaculation, traumatic stress and somatoform dissociation. The control group consisted of a 60 healthy men. The results showed significant Spearman correlations of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score with Trauma Symptom Checklist score (R = .86), cortisol level (R = .47) and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire score (R = .61). In the control group, the results did not reach statistical significance. Spearman correlations of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score with Trauma symptoms checklist score was (R = .21), cortisol (R = .27) and with Somatoform dissociation questionnaire score (R = .25). These results represent the first reported findings documenting the relationship of traumatic stress indicators with the experience of secondary premature ejaculation and cortisol levels.

I Want You to Want Me: A Qualitative Analysis of Heterosexual Men's Desire to Feel Desired in Intimate Relationships

Current sexual scripts for heterosexual relationships in the Western world stipulate that men should be the ones to initiate sexual activity, push to the next level of physical intimacy, and to desire women (and not be desirable themselves). However, there is building evidence that sexual scripts and gender roles are not only limited, they may be evolving and shifting over time. The purpose of the current study was to explore the degree to which feeling desired is considered important to heterosexual men in intimate relationships as well as how heterosexual men feel desired by their partners. Three hundred men between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited from the online platform Reddit. Using Thematic Analysis, we determined that the vast majority of men in this study felt that feeling desired was very important to their sexual experiences. Men in this study listed several ways they felt desired, many that fell outside of traditional gender roles such as romantic, non-sexual touch and having women initiate sexual activity. The findings add to a growing body of literature which suggests traditional sexual scripts for heterosexual men may be limiting and not accurate for all men's sexual experiences.

Attachment-related anxiety is associated with poor genital satisfaction and sexual problems in women

BACKGROUND

Genital satisfaction has been found to influence women's sexual experience. We tested the Relational Bodily Experiences Theory (RBET) that predicts associations between women's genital satisfaction, attachment models, and sexual desire. We extended the model by additionally considering sexual arousal, orgasmic sensation, or the experience of pain during sexual activity as outcome variables. According to the RBET, women's attachment models are associated with their genital satisfaction and linked to women's sexual experience.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online questionnaire study was conducted at an Austrian medical university. In total 294 women (Mage = 23.7, SD = 3.4) provided full responses. Women were asked about genital satisfaction and experiences of distressing sexual problems. Attachment-related anxiety and avoidance were assessed with the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Results partially support the RBET. Attachment-related anxiety was associated with genital satisfaction which, in turn, was linked to experiences of frequent and/or distressing diminished sexual arousal, diminished sexual desire, or pain during sexual activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that clinicians should assess genital satisfaction when treating female sexual problems. Women with attachment-related anxiety may especially be prone to having poor genital satisfaction and may profit from body image interventions in order to improve their sexual experience.

The Erogenous Mirror: Intersubjective and Multisensory Maps of Sexual Arousal in Men and Women

Erogenous zones of the body are sexually arousing when touched. Previous investigations of erogenous zones were restricted to the effects of touch on one's own body. However, sexual interactions do not just involve being touched, but also involve touching a partner and mutually looking at each other's bodies. We take a novel interpersonal approach to characterize the self-reported intensity and distribution of erogenous zones in two modalities: touch and vision. A large internet sample of 613 participants (407 women) completed a questionnaire, where they rated intensity of sexual arousal related to different body parts, both on one's own body and on an imagined partner's body in response to being touched but also being looked at. We report the presence of a multimodal erogenous mirror between sexual partners, as we observed clear correspondences in topographic distributions of self-reported arousal between individuals' own bodies and their preferences for a partner's body, as well as between those elicited by imagined touch and vision. The erogenous body is therefore organized and represented in an interpersonal and multisensory way.

The Relational and Bodily Experiences Theory of Sexual Desire in Women

We review the theory and research on women's sexual desire and present a theory that incorporates internalized representations of relational and bodily experiences into our understanding of the full range of desire in women. To this end, we move away from the current tendency to focus on low sexual desire in women and instead consider desire on a spectrum or continuum from absent or diminished to high desire across multiple sexual orientations, including heterosexual, bisexual, and lesbian. We review definitions of sexual desire, as well as the epidemiology and etiology of hypoactive sexual desire, the most prevalent sexual complaint in women, including the biological, psychological, and relationship correlates of inhibited sexual desire. Subsequently, we examine the research on highly sexual women, who tend to experience high levels of sexual desire, sexual agency, and sexual esteem, and distinguish between high sexual desire and hypersexuality. We introduce two important constructs that are integrated into the Relational and Bodily Experiences Theory (RBET) of sexual desire in women: attachment and sexual body self-representations, suggesting that women's internalized representations of self and other that stem from childhood and their capacity to embody their sexual bodies are integral to our understanding of the phenomenology of sexual desire in women. RBET calls for further research into the links between attachment, sexual body self-representations, and desire, and suggests that clinical interventions for sexual desire difficulties in women should emphasize internalized working models of relationships (i.e., attachment) and integrate bodily based approaches.

In Search of Desire: The Role of Intimacy, Celebrated Otherness, and Object-of-Desire Affirmation in Sexual Desire in Women

While the interactive nature of sexual desire in women is increasingly recognized, dyadic factors affecting it, including partner interactions, have as yet received little research attention. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the associations among intimacy, celebrated otherness, and object-of-desire affirmation and explored how they complement each other in the prediction of sexual desire in women. Based on the reports of 662 participants, positive correlations were found among all factors. However, in a multiple regression analysis, object-of-desire affirmation emerged as the only positive predictor of sexual desire.

Relationship Quality and Perceived Partner's Body Appreciation Is Related to Women's Own Body Appreciation and Sexual Functioning

Research on body appreciation is limited, especially when examining its relationship to sexual functioning. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between body appreciation and sexual functioning, while measuring perceived partner's body appreciation and general relationship quality. A sample of 244 women aged 18 to 30 completed measures of sexual functioning, relationship quality, and body image online. General relationship quality and perceived partner's appreciation of one's body predicted levels of sexual functioning. Levels of body appreciation did not predict sexual functioning over and above general relationship quality and perceived partner's appreciation of one's body. This study is the first to demonstrate the significance of general relationship quality and perceived partner's body appreciation in relation to levels of body appreciation and sexual functioning. The findings highlight the importance of understanding body appreciation and its role in buffering the harmful impacts of viewing idealized images within the media.

A Model of Female Sexual Desire: Internalized Working Models of Parent-Child Relationships and Sexual Body Self-Representations

The etiology of low female sexual desire, the most prevalent sexual complaint in women, is multi-determined, implicating biological and psychological factors, including women's early parent-child relationships and bodily self-representations. The current study evaluated a model that hypothesized that sexual body self-representations (sexual subjectivity, self-objectification, genital self-image) explain (i.e., mediate) the relation between internalized working models of parent-child relationships (attachment, separation-individuation, parental identification) and sexual desire in heterosexual women. We recruited 614 young, heterosexual women (M = 25.5 years, SD = 4.63) through social media. The women completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used. The hypotheses were supported in that the relation between internalized working models of parent-child relationships (attachment and separation-individuation) and sexual desire was mediated by sexual body self-representations (sexual body esteem, self-objectification, genital self-image). However, parental identification was not related significantly to sexual body self-representations or sexual desire in the model. Current findings demonstrated that understanding female sexual desire necessitates considering women's internalized working models of early parent-child relationships and their experiences of their bodies in a sexual context. Treatment of low or absent desire in women would benefit from modalities that emphasize early parent-child relationships as well as interventions that foster mind-body integration.

A Qualitative Exploration of Factors That Affect Sexual Desire Among Men Aged 30 to 65 in Long-Term Relationships

Few empirical studies have explored men's experiences of sexual desire, particularly in the context of long-term relationships. The objective of the current study was to investigate the factors that elicit and inhibit men's sexual desire. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 men between the ages of 30 and 65 (average age 42.83 years) currently in long-term heterosexual relationships (average duration 13 years 4 months). Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology from the interpretivist perspective. A total of 14 themes and 23 subthemes were identified to capture men's descriptions of eliciting and inhibiting factors of their sexual desire. The six most integral themes are presented in the current article, all of which reflect the perspectives of the majority of participants, regardless of age or relationship duration, specifically (a) feeling desired, (b) exciting and unexpected sexual encounters, (c) intimate communication, (d) rejection, (e) physical ailments and negative health characteristics, and (f) lack of emotional connection with partner. The findings suggest that men's sexual desire may be more complex and relational than previous research suggests. Implications for researchers and therapists are discussed.

Women Like Being Valued for Sex, as Long as it is by a Committed Partner

How do women respond to being valued for sex by their partners? Although research supporting objectification theory suggests that women's reactions to sexual valuation are primarily negative, a separate body of research indicates that women expend significant effort to enhance their sexual appeal. Evolutionary perspectives suggest that whether women are more or less satisfied with partners who value them for sex may depend on how committed those partners are. Being sexually valued by a relatively uncommitted partner may violate women's desire to avoid short-term sexual relationships and thus may be negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. In contrast, being sexually valued by a highly committed partner may positively influence women's relationship satisfaction because it signals to them that they have successfully attracted a long-term relationship partner. Two studies of newly married couples supported these predictions. In Study 1 (N = 109), husbands' sexual valuation was positively associated with marital satisfaction among wives who perceived that those husbands were highly committed, but negatively associated with marital satisfaction among wives who perceived that those husbands were relatively less committed. Study 2 (N = 99) revealed the same pattern for wives (but not husbands) using a likely manifestation of sexual valuation-engaging in frequent sex. These findings join others to demonstrate that interpersonal processes do not have universally positive or negative implications for relationships; rather, their implications depend on the context in which they occur, including contexts that were reproductively beneficial or costly throughout evolutionary history.

Controversies of Women’s Sexual Arousal and Desire

Abstract. The past three decades have seen an unprecedented increase in empirical research on women’s sexual response. In this review, we critically examine current controversies and assumptions associated with the nature of women’s sexual arousal and desire. We focus specifically on four assumptions: (1) the assumption that women should be aroused by stimuli that align with their stated preferences, (2) the assumption that women’s physiological and self-reported arousal should perfectly align, (3) the assumption that sexual desire precedes sexual arousal, and (4) the assumption that a single pharmaceutical compound will adequately restore women’s sexual response to her level of satisfaction. Engaging a gendered psychological framework for conceptualizing women’s sexuality, we emphasize the need for models of women’s sexual response to be sensitive to the sexed biological processes and gendered psychosocial factors that contribute to a woman’s unique sexual experience.

Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: An In-Depth Exploration

Human asexuality is generally defined as a lack of sexual attraction. We used online questionnaires to investigate reasons for masturbation, and explored and compared the contents of sexual fantasies of asexual individuals (identified using the Asexual Identification Scale) with those of sexual individuals. A total of 351 asexual participants (292 women, 59 men) and 388 sexual participants (221 women, 167 men) participated. Asexual women were significantly less likely to masturbate than sexual women, sexual men, and asexual men. Asexual women were less likely to report masturbating for sexual pleasure or fun than their sexual counterparts, and asexual men were less likely to report masturbating for sexual pleasure than sexual men. Both asexual women and men were significantly more likely than sexual women and men to report that they had never had a sexual fantasy. Of those who have had a sexual fantasy, asexual women and men were significantly more likely to endorse the response "my fantasies do not involve other people" compared to sexual participants, and consistently scored each sexual fantasy on a questionnaire as being less sexually exciting than did sexual participants. When using an open-ended format, asexual participants were more likely to report having fantasies about sexual activities that did not involve themselves, and were less likely to fantasize about topics such as group sex, public sex, and having an affair. Interestingly, there was a large amount of overlap between sexual fantasies of asexual and sexual participants. Notably, both asexual and sexual participants (both men and women) were equally likely to fantasize about topics such as fetishes and BDSM.

The Relationship Between Body Image and Domains of Sexual Functioning Among Heterosexual, Emerging Adult Women

Introduction

Research suggests that body image affects sexual functioning, but the relationship between specific types of body image (evaluative, affective, and behavioral) and domains of sexual functioning (desire, arousal, and orgasm) has not been investigated.

Aim

To determine whether, and to what degree, body image concerns (evaluative, affective, and behavioral) influence aspects of women’s sexual functioning (desire, arousal, and orgasm).

Methods

Eighty-eight sexually active women in heterosexual romantic relationships completed surveys assessing evaluative, affective, and behavioral body image and sexual functioning. Body composition data also were collected using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual functioning was assessed using the desire, arousal, and orgasm subscales of the Female Sexual Functioning Index.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that poor evaluative, affective, and behavioral body image were detrimental to women's sexual functioning. Specifically, dissatisfaction with one's body predicted decrements in desire (β = −0.31, P < .05) and arousal (β = −0.35, P < .01). Similarly, feeling that others evaluate one's body negatively predicted decrements in desire (β = 0.22, P < .05) and arousal (β = 0.35, P < .01). Feeling negatively about one’s appearance predicted decrements in arousal (β = 0.26, P < .05). Negative thoughts and feelings about one’s body during a sexual encounter (body image self-consciousness) predicted decrements in arousal (β = −0.37, P < .01) and orgasm (β = −0.25, P < .05).

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest important linkages between body image and sexual functioning constructs and indicates that interventions to improve body image could have concomitant benefits related to sexual experience.

Gender Differences in Object of Desire Self-Consciousness Sexual Fantasies

In a recent review article, Bogaert and Brotto (2014) discussed "object of desire self-consciousness," a perception that one is romantically and sexually desirable in another's eyes. They argued that this perception is more relevant to women's sociosexual functioning than it is to men's. In the present study, we attempted to find direct evidence that object of desire themes are linked more to women's sexual desire and arousal than they are to men's by examining the differences in content between men's and women's sexual fantasies. A total of 198 men and women reported on arousing themes in sexual fantasies using three methodologies: endorsement of items on a sexual fantasy questionnaire, sentence completion of sexually-charged scenarios, and open-ended sexual fantasies. The men and women also rated their attractiveness and were rated for attractiveness by two female experimenters. On all three fantasy composites, women endorsed more object of desire themes than did men, and these effects occurred independent of the subjective and observer-rated attractiveness measures. The results were discussed in relation to theorizing that object of desire self-consciousness can function as part of many women's self-schemata or scripts related to romance and sexuality.

The importance of feeling sexually attractive: Can it predict an individual's experience of their sexuality and sexual relationships across gender and sexual orientation?

Limited research exists on the implications of feeling sexually attractive for various aspects of sexuality and sexual relationships. This article examined associations between self-perceived sexual attractiveness and sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction and amount of sexual experience, among both men and women who identified as heterosexual (n = 1017), gay or lesbian (n = 1225) or bisexual (n = 651). Results of the study demonstrated that positive self-perceptions of sexual attractiveness predicted greater sexual esteem, greater sexual satisfaction, a higher frequency of sexual activity with others and a larger number of sexual partners among both men and women who identified as heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual. The findings suggest that feeling sexually attractive may have implications for how an individual experiences their sexuality and sexual relationships regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. The importance of considering an individual's self-perceptions of sexual attractiveness when they present with concerns related to their sexual experiences or relationships, and the potential benefits of educational and therapeutic interventions designed to enhance self-perceptions of sexual attractiveness are discussed.

Asexuality: what it is and why it matters

In this review article, human asexuality, a relatively understudied phenomenon, is discussed. Specifically, definitions and conceptualizations of asexuality (e.g., is it a unique category of sexual orientation?), biological and historical contexts, identity issues, discrimination against asexual people relative to other minorities, origins, and variations, including gender differences, are reviewed. Whether asexuality should be construed as a disorder is also discussed. The study of asexuality allows for a better understanding of an underrecognized sexual minority but also affords a unique opportunity to examine and better understand human sexuality.