Automatic Thoughts During Sexual Activity, Distressing Sexual Symptoms, and Sexual Orientation: Findings from a Web Survey

Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Acceptance as Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in Cisgender Heterosexual Men and Women

Sexual satisfaction is a relevant indicator of sexual health, and psychotherapeutic interventions for sexual dysfunction also promote sexual satisfaction in men and women. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies for sexual dysfunction, including third-wave approaches, are effective in treating sexual dysfunction. Thus, third-wave cognitive-behavioral constructs may play a significant role in sexual satisfaction. This study intends to examine the predictive role of mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion and acceptance, and action constructs on cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction. A web survey including self-report measures for assessing mindfulness awareness and attention (MAAS), self-compassion (SCS), acceptance and action (AAQ), and sexual satisfaction (GMSEX) was disseminated during 2022, and a sample of 420 participants was collected (n = 238 women; 56.7%; n = 182 men; 43.3%). No statistically significant differences were found between cisgender heterosexual men and women on mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, acceptance and action, and sexual satisfaction. In addition, all variables account for 6.5% of cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction variance, and mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, and acceptance and action positively predicted sexual satisfaction. Overall, mindfulness awareness and attention, self-compassion, and acceptance and action play a significant predictive role in cisgender heterosexual men's and women's sexual satisfaction.

Sexual Wellness in Cisgender Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People

Cisgender sexual minority persons have sexual wellness needs that go well beyond disease prevention. Despite historical asymmetries in research and clinical attention to sexual wellness in cisgender lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, a growing body of evidence exists on how to optimally care for these populations. Additional research and development is warranted.

Links between Virginity Beliefs, Negative Feelings after Virginity Loss and Sexual Performance Anxiety in a Sample of German-Speaking Heterosexual-Identified Women and Men

Gender norms can influence women and men adopting different beliefs toward their own virginity. The current online cross-sectional questionnaire study was applied in a sample of German-speaking heterosexual-identified women (n = 536) and men (n = 181; M_age = 23.6, SD = 3.7). In men negative virginity loss experiences and sexual performance anxiety were especially prevalent when virginity loss occurred at an age that was inconsistent with men's virginity beliefs. In women age at virginity loss was not linked to virginity loss experiences or sexual performance anxiety, but the holding of virginity beliefs that deviated from gender norms was associated with those variables.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2021.1958963 .

Body Image, Orgasmic Response, and Sexual Relationship Satisfaction: Understanding Relationships and Establishing Typologies Based on Body Image Satisfaction

Introduction

This study explored the role of body image dissatisfaction on orgasmic response during partnered sex and masturbation and on sexual relationship satisfaction. The study also described typologies of women having different levels of body image satisfaction.

Methods

A sample of 257 Norwegian women responded to an online survey assessing body image dissatisfaction, problems with orgasm, and sexual relationship satisfaction. Using structural equation modeling and factor mixture modeling, the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and orgasmic response was assessed, and clusters of sexual response characteristics associated with varying levels of body image dissatisfaction were identified.

Main Outcome Measure

Orgasmic function during partnered sex and masturbation, along with sexual relationship satisfaction, were assessed as a function of body image.

Results

Body image dissatisfaction, along with a number of covariates, predicted higher levels of “problems with orgasm” during both partnered sex and masturbation, with no significant difference in the association depending on the type of sexual activity. Varying levels of body image dissatisfaction/satisfaction were associated with differences in orgasmic incidence, difficulty, and pleasure during partnered sex; with one orgasmic parameter during masturbation; and with sexual relationship satisfaction.

Conclusion

Body image dissatisfaction and likely concomitant psychological distress are related to impaired orgasmic response during both partnered sex and masturbation and may diminish sexual relationship satisfaction. Women with high body image dissatisfaction can be characterized by specific sexual response patterns.

Horvath Z, Smith BH, Sal D, et al. Body Image, Orgasmic Response, and Sexual Relationship Satisfaction: Understanding Relationships and Establishing Typologies Based on Body Image Satisfaction. Sex Med 2020;8:740–751.

Typologies of Women With Orgasmic Difficulty and Their Relationship to Sexual Distress

BACKGROUND

About 50% of women who report orgasmic difficulty (OD) during partnered sex are distressed by their condition, yet why some women are distressed and others are not is unclear.

AIM

To determine whether sexual distress is related to women's perceived causes of their OD during partnered sex.

METHODS

We established homogenous subgroups of women based on their attributions for OD during partnered sex, and these groups were validated by comparing them on variables relevant to sexual response. We then predicted OD-related distress from subgroup memberships as well as from a number of sociodemographic, control, and empirically supported sexual response variables.

RESULTS

3 distinct OD subgroups emerged: type 1-high psychological-high somatic reasons; type 2-partner-related reasons; and type 3-moderate psychological-low somatic reasons. These groups also differed on independent parameters related to sexual frequency and arousal. Subgroup membership, along with age, sexual relationship satisfaction, and frequency of partnered sex predicted sexual distress related to OD.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION

Particular perceptions regarding the causes for OD help predict women's sexual distress, and such factors might be considered in identifying sexual issues and managing them within the context of a sexual relationship.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

A large sample size drawn from a multinational population powered the study, while the cross-sectional nature of the sample could not rule out bidirectional associations between predictor covariates (including OD subgroup) and the outcome measure (sexual distress).

CONCLUSION

Type 1 membership (high levels of psychological and somatic attributions) predicted greater levels of OD-related distress than type 2 (partner-related attributions) or type 3 (moderate psychological and low somatic attributions) membership, with type 1 women having a greater likelihood of internalizing (accepting responsibility/blame for) OD attributions. Hevesi K, Miklós E, Horváth Z, et al. Typologies of Women With Orgasmic Difficulty and Their Relationship to Sexual Distress. J Sex Med 2020;17:1144-1155.

Implicit and Explicit Associations with Erotic Stimuli in Women with and Without Sexual Problems

Conceptual models of sexual functioning have suggested a major role for implicit cognitive processing in sexual functioning. The present study aimed to investigate implicit and explicit cognition in sexual functioning in women. Gynecological patients with (N = 38) and without self-reported sexual problems (N = 41) were compared. Participants performed two Single-Target Implicit Association Tests (ST-IAT), measuring the implicit association of visual erotic stimuli with attributes representing, respectively, valence and motivation. Participants also rated the erotic pictures that were shown in the ST-IATs on the dimensions of valence, attractiveness, and sexual excitement, to assess their explicit associations with these erotic stimuli. Participants completed the Female Sexual Functioning Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale for continuous measures of sexual functioning, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms. Compared to nonsymptomatic women, women with sexual problems were found to show more negative implicit associations of erotic stimuli with wanting (implicit sexual motivation). Across both groups, stronger implicit associations of erotic stimuli with wanting predicted higher level of sexual functioning. More positive explicit ratings of erotic stimuli predicted lower level of sexual distress across both groups.