A transdiagnostic approach to sexual distress and pleasure: The role of worry, rumination, and emotional regulation

Abstract

Sexual distress, as well as sexual pleasure, are essential components of sexual health. Recently, associations between transdiagnostic factors such as worry and rumination and sexual distress and pleasure have been found. However, considering the adequacy of the transdiagnostic approach to explain and intervene in psychopathology and well-being, there is a need to address further sexual distress and pleasure and their relation to specific transdiagnostic factors. This paper aimed to explore a theory-driven model of sexual distress and sexual pleasure using multiple regression analysis with specific dimensions of repetitive negative thinking such as worry, rumination (brooding and reflection), and emotional regulation (emotion suppression and cognitive reappraisal) as predictors while controlling for emotional factors (anxiety and depression). The sample comprised 412 individuals in a monogamous relationship for at least a year. Results showed significant, positive, and moderate correlations between sexual distress and all emotional and transdiagnostic factors. For sexual pleasure, negative associations were found with depression and anxiety, worry, and brooding. Reflection was a significant predictor of sexual distress when emotional factors were controlled in the regression model. Depression was a significant predictor for both sexual distress and sexual pleasure. This study significantly contributes to our understanding of the complex relationship between transdiagnostic factors and sexual distress and pleasure, offering valuable insights that expand upon previous studies in this field and further advance our knowledge about sexual well-being.

Understanding sexual distress related to sexual function (SDRSF): A preliminary framework based on a qualitative study with clinical sexologists

“…Clinical interventions, such as the transdiagnostic approach, are aimed at standard explanatory processes ( Dalgleish et al, 2020 ) and aimed at comorbid emotional disorders. This is supported by preliminary recent research in community samples whose results indicate that there is an association between SDRSF, depression symptoms and transdiagnostic factors (e.g., Guerreiro et al, 2023 ; Manão et al, 2023 ; Raposo et al, 2023 ). So, in sexology clinical settings, it is essential to consider both the severity of psychological distress and any comorbidities with emotional and psychological problems and identify shared underlying mechanisms responsible for SDRSF and psychological distress to have a comprehensive view of the problem being presented ( Hendrickx et al, 2019 ).…”

“…The intense negative emotional experience portrayed in the theme burning from the inside underscores the significant impact that SDRSF can have on an individual's psychological well-being, illustrating the parallels between SDRSF and psychological distress ( Guerreiro et al, 2023 ; Pascoal et al, 2020 ). Psychological distress often incorporates depressive symptomatology and loneliness (e.g., Yung et al, 2023 ) – psychological risk factors for the development and persistence of problems that are also mentioned in the running up that hill theme.…”

“…Detrimental psychological factors , a subtheme, encompasses negative emotions and cognitive processes that contribute to the onset and perpetuation of SDRSF, aligning with existing literature ( Gonçalves et al, 2022 ). These factors, including depression, anxiety symptoms ( Guerreiro et al, 2023 ) and body image concerns ( Alizadeh & Farnam, 2021 ; Nickull et al, 2022 ; Pascoal et al, 2019 ), may serve as indicators of vulnerability to SDRSF. Additionally, our findings suggest that personality traits, like perfectionism, may be associated with SDRSF.…”

“…Despite its clinical relevance and widespread existence, there is a lack of research derived from clinical contexts that contributes to a comprehensive approach to its understanding. Most research on SDRSF has been conducted outside clinical contexts with community participants (e.g., Gunst et al, 2018 ; Dewitte et al, 2020 ) and showing a systematic association between SDRSF and mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression) (e.g., Guerreiro et al, 2023 ; Wahlin-Jacobsen et al, 2017 ) as well as with interpersonal dimensions (negative partner emotional responses; Stephenson et al, 2018 ).…”