Perceiving that one's partner is supportive moderates the associations among attachment insecurity and psychosexual variables

Abstract

Attachment representations are associated with psychosexual adjustment in intimate relationships (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). Few studies, however, have investigated relationship processes modulating the effect of attachment insecurity on sexuality (Dewitte, 2012). This study examined whether perceived partner support moderates associations among romantic attachment (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) and sexual self-esteem, sexual anxiety, and sexual assertiveness in individuals involved in a romantic relationship (N ¼ 214). Results showed that individuals high on avoidance reported lower sexual self-esteem and assertiveness, as well as more sexual anxiety. Unexpectedly, they reported more sexual anxiety and poorer sexual assertiveness when partner support was perceived to be high. Moreover, low perceived partner support was related to higher sexual self-esteem in women scoring high on attachment avoidance whereas high perceived partner support was related to higher sexual self-esteem in men scoring high on avoidance. Individuals scoring high on attachment anxiety reported poorer sexual self-esteem and more sexual anxiety when partner support was perceived to be low, but attachment anxiety was unrelated to either sexual anxiety or self-esteem when partner support was perceived to be high. Findings are consistent with attachment theory and suggest clinical implications for individuals presenting with attachment insecurity.

022 Predictors and Moderators of Sexual Distress in Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

“…For example, while not all women in the study had partners (70.5% with, 29.5% without), it is feasible to theorize that those who did may behold a variety of avoidance-type traits, including some with high attachment avoidance and some with low attachment avoidance (Girme, Overall, Simpson & Fletcher, 2015;Dewitte, 2012). As discussed in chapter 2, high attachment avoidance traits are conducive to higher erotophobia levels (Peloquin, Bigras, Brassard & Godbout, 2014). In my study, erotophobia levels were low to average.…”

“…Interestingly, Peloquin et al (2014) also noted that, in those with high attachment avoidance levels, sexual anxiety was higher when partner support was perceived as high.…”

Attachment Styles and Sexuality: the Contribution of Gender, Age and Relationship Status

“…Stilovi privrženosti utječu i na očekivanja i ciljeve u partnerskim vezama, pa tako i seksualnosti, kao važnog aspekta partnerskih veza (1,2). Ranija istraživanja su pokazala da osobe s višim stupnjevima anksiozne privrženosti češće pristaju na neželjeni seks, rjeđe koriste kontracepciju te su češće preokupirane seksom u odnosu na osobe sa sigurnim stilom privrženosti (3,4).…”

“…Njihov glavni cilj je zadržati emocionalnu udaljenost i osjećaj kontrole u partnerskim odnosima (3,4). U oba slučaja (anksiozno i izbjegavajuće privrženih osoba) ishodi su lošije seksualno funkcioniranje (5) i manje seksualno zadovoljstvo (2,6). Iako su, prema izvornoj teoriji privrženosti, rodne i dobne razlike u privrženosti male (7), u velikom je broju istraživanja utvrđeno postojanje rodnih razlika u seksualnosti (8) te promjene u seksualnim ponašanjima/zadovoljstvo u funkciji dobi (9).…”

“…Attachment styles affect expectations and objectives in partner relationships, including sexuality, as important aspects of partner relationships (1,2). Previous research have found that people high on attachment anxiety more often accept unwanted sex, have earlier initiation of sexual intercourse, less frequent use of contraception, and are also more often preoccupied with sex compared with securely attached people (3,4).…”