Mindfulness and Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Research SynthesisSelice, Lauren; Morris, Katherine L.
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1991536pmid: 34693896
Abstract Throughout the previous decade, research exploring the associations between mindfulness and sexual dysfunction has grown exponentially. Researchers have highlighted inverse associations between mindfulness and various sexual dysfunctions, including erectile dysfunction, hypersexuality, and sexual distress, as well as positive associations between mindfulness and sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and overall sexual functioning. This study sought to describe the state of extant literature exploring the association between mindfulness and sexual dysfunction, identify areas for future study within this area of research, and inform clinical practice when working with those experiencing sexual dysfunction. A systematic search of peer-reviewed journal articles revealed a final sample of 18 articles. After collecting data from all included articles, results support the inverse association between mindfulness and various sexual dysfunctions. Additionally, results highlight that current mindfulness and sexual dysfunction literature focuses more on the individual’s experience and does not fully consider how the couple system is often impacted by, and may contribute to, the maintenance of sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, results demonstrate the importance of including LGBTQ + populations in future research, as extant literature in this area has focused primarily on the heterosexual experience.
Attachment Orientation Moderates the Sexual and Relational Implications of Sexual Desire DiscrepanciesAttaky, Atia; Kok, Gerjo; Dewitte, Marieke
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1991537pmid: 34665076
Abstract We examined the degree and direction of sexual desire discrepancies (SDD) between partners and how this relates to sexual function, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction in 100 Saudi Arabian couples, taking into account both partners’ attachment orientation. Men and women reported better outcomes when they matched on higher levels of sexual desire. In case of a mismatch, women reported higher sexual satisfaction when their partner’s level of sexual desire was higher than their own. Attachment anxiety and avoidance moderated the associations between SDD and the outcome variables. This study offers unique information on SDD in couples with strong gender role expectations and cultural restrictions regarding sexuality. Therapeutic interventions should be directed at understanding the attachment meaning of sexual desire.
Impact of the COVID-19 Confinement on Couple Satisfaction and SexualityTorres-Cruz, Dagmarie; Aznar-Martínez, Berta; Pérez-Testor, Carles
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1998271pmid: 34749594
Abstract This study examined dyadic adjustment, which is an essential aspect for a couple’s functioning, and its relationship with sexual self-esteem during COVID-19 confinement. This article presents data from before and during the confinement due to COVID-19 in Spain. 120 men and 89 women who were part of a couple at the time of confinement and completed an online survey participated in the study. The sample was obtained during the de-escalation months, from May 9th until July 1st, 2020. Three questionnaires were administered. The results that were obtained from the T-student, Pearson correlations and regression analyses show a decline in couples’ adjustment during the months of confinement. Regarding the Sexuality Scale, the results showed that the sexual-depression subscale and the sexual self-esteem subscale had a statistically significant role in predicting the dyadic adjustment during confinement. Overall, our findings suggest that confinement had a negative effect on sexuality because the sexual-depression of the sample increased and couple adjustment decreased during the confinement due to COVID-19.
The Sexual Communication Discrepancy Index: A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Sexual Communication DiscrepanciesMachette, Anthony T.; Morrissey, Brittney S.; Cionea, Ioana A.
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1998272pmid: 34730062
Abstract Sexual communication offers relational and sexual benefits. However, the sexual communication occurring in an individual’s relationship may be incongruent with their expectations for such communication. Such discrepancies can affect partners’ relationships and are important to examine. This study presents a new instrument for assessing discrepancies in sexual communication, the Sexual Communication Discrepancy Index (SCDI). Results of two studies examining SCDI’s dimensionality, factor structure, and reliability revealed a promising 24-item, 4-factor scale instrument. The index offers a brief, easily scored, and reliable measure of sexual communication discrepancies. It may prove useful for researchers and clinicians who focus on sexual communication.
Will I have sex to please you? Evaluating whether mindfulness buffers links between attachment and sexual motivations in daily lifeDixon, Holly; Reynolds, Lisa M.; Consedine, Nathan S.
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.2000534pmid: 34766535
Abstract Insecurely attached individuals are more likely to report more maladaptive sexual motivations that predict worse personal and interpersonal outcomes. Given that mindfulness has been linked with improved relationship and sexual experiences, and that these effects may be moderated by attachment, the current study examined the possible buffering role of trait mindfulness on the links between attachment insecurity and daily sexual motives. Participants from New Zealand (N = 70) took part in a daily diary study that overcame limitations associated with previous cross-sectional research in the area (e.g., recall and aggregation biases). Online measures of trait mindfulness and attachment were completed, before participants reported their sexual motivations on each day they had sex for the next 14 days. Results provided some evidence that trait mindfulness has a therapeutic effect among more anxiously attached persons insofar as it reduced the degree to which attachment concerns manifested in maladaptive daily sexual motivations. In contrast, trait mindfulness did not buffer (and in some cases intensified) the links between attachment avoidance and maladaptive sexual motives. No significant interactions were detected between attachment insecurity and mindfulness in the prediction of adaptive daily sexual motivations. These findings suggest that mindfulness may differentially affect the manifestations of anxious and avoidant attachment. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.