Psychological Factors Involved in Sexual Desire, Sexual Activity, and Sexual Satisfaction: A Multi-factorial Perspective

Dosch, Alessandra; Rochat, Lucien; Ghisletta, Paolo; Favez, Nicolas; Van der Linden, Martial

doi:10.1007/s10508-014-0467-z

Article (Scientific journals)

Psychological Factors Involved in Sexual Desire, Sexual Activity, and Sexual Satisfaction: A Multi-factorial Perspective

Dosch, Alessandra; Rochat, Lucien; Ghisletta, Paolo et al.

2016 • In Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45 (8), p. 2029-2045

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/242576

DOI
10.1007/s10508-014-0467-z

PubMed
25787208

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Keywords :

Attachment; Impulsivity; Mindfulness; Motivation; Sexual desire and satisfaction; Adult; Cluster Analysis; Female; Humans; Libido; Male; Orgasm; Personal Satisfaction; Self-Control; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexuality

Abstract :

[en] This study explored the role of psychological trait factors in sexual desire and sexual activity. In particular, it investigated how these factors may contribute to maintaining a balance between motivational aspects and self-control abilities, as both have been considered important in relation to adaptive sexuality. Moreover, the study explored the relationship between sexual desire, activity, and satisfaction. Participants completed questionnaires assessing sexual desire (dyadic, solitary), sexual activity (with a partner, alone), sexual satisfaction, approach and avoidance motivation, attachment, self-control, sensation seeking, and mindfulness. Cluster analyses, based on participants’ level of sexual desire and sexual activity, highlighted three distinct profiles for each gender related to different types of psychological functioning: (a) participants with high dyadic sexual desire and activity were the most sexually satisfied, showed optimal psychological functioning, and were characterized by a balance between motivational tendencies to seek positive rewards and self-control abilities (high approach motivation, secure attachment, high self-control, high mindfulness); (b) participants with high dyadic and solitary sexual desire and activity were moderately satisfied and showed a type of psychological functioning predominantly characterized by impulsivity (an overly high motivation to obtain rewards in women, and low self-control in men); (c) participants with low dyadic sexual desire and activity were the least sexually satisfied and were characterized by high motivation to avoid negative consequences and low self-control (high avoidance motivation, insecure attachment, and poor mindfulness). These results shed further light on how fundamental psychological factors contribute to explain the individual variability in sexual desire, activity, and satisfaction. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Disciplines :

Neurosciences & behavior

Author, co-author :

Dosch, Alessandra; Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1225, Switzerland

Rochat, Lucien; Cognitive Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1225, Switzerland, Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Ghisletta, Paolo; Methodology and Data Analysis Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Favez, Nicolas; Clinical Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships Unit, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

Van der Linden, Martial ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Département de Psychologie

Language :

English

Title :

Psychological Factors Involved in Sexual Desire, Sexual Activity, and Sexual Satisfaction: A Multi-factorial Perspective

Publication date :

2016

Journal title :

Archives of Sexual Behavior

ISSN :

0004-0002

eISSN :

1573-2800

Publisher :

Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, United States - New York

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

2029-2045

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 29 December 2019

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