Predictors of Sexual Distress in Women with Desire and Arousal Difficulties: Distinguishing Between Personal, Partner, and Interpersonal Distress

Abstract

Introduction. Although impaired sexual function is relatively common, not all sexual impairments are associated with distress. To date, most studies on protective and risk factors for sexual distress have asked about distress in a more general manner and have failed to distinguish between different dimensions of sexual distress. Aim.To examine the association of several intra-and interpersonal factors with personal-, perceived partner-, and interpersonal distress due to an impairment in sexual functioning in women. Methods.Cross-sectional representative population-based survey study with a two level random selection of Flemish women aged 14 to 80 years from the Belgian National Register. The data of 520 sexually active heterosexual women with a partner (weighted N) with an impairment in sexual desire (N=291) and/or in sexual arousal (N=273) were used for analysis. Results. Severity and number of sexual impairments were predictive of all types of sexual distress.Also, for both desire and arousal impairments, lower mental well-being predicted personal distress, and lower relationship satisfaction predicted perceived partner distress. For desire impairments, lower relationship satisfaction and less communication about sexual needs were predictive of interpersonal distress. For impairments in sexual arousal, lower mental well-being and lower relationship satisfaction were predictive of interpersonal distress.Conclusions. Personal-, perceived partner-and interpersonal distress due to sexual impairments have different types of predictors. Clinical assessment and treatment could benefit from differentiating between different types of distress, and between the intra-and interpersonal factors that are associated with them.

Effect of mode of delivery on couples’ sexual relationship during the postpartum period

“…In this study, female's arousal domain was significantly correlated to male intercourse satisfaction and total IIEF, which was also detected in the Hendrickx et al [21] and Khalesi et al [22] studies, respectively. Sexual impairment was assessed using the sexual functioning scale in the former study, while the latter used FSFI and IIEF on pregnant women.…”

Relationship Context Moderates Couple Congruence in Ratings of Sexual Arousal and Pain During Vaginal Sensations in the Laboratory

“…Higher scores indicate greater relationship dissatisfaction. The MMQ scale has been used in both married and non-married couples (Hendrickx, Gijs, Janssen, & Enzlin, 2016) and has good psychometric properties (Arrindell, Boelens, & Lambert, 1983). This was supported by the current sample, in which reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) was good, α  = .83 for women and α  = .78 for men.…”

Automatic Sex-Liking and Sex-Failure Associations in Men With Sexual Dysfunction

“…Sexual distress is the experience of negative feelings (e.g., fear/anxiety, melancholia, irritation, anger) associated with one's (problematic) sexual functioning. It can be subdivided into personal distress, partner distress, and relational or interpersonal distress (Hendrickx, Gijs, & Enzlin, 2013;Hendrickx, Gijs, Janssen, & Enzlin, 2016). Problematic sexual functioning and the experience of distress related to one's sexual problems may have distinct origins and underlying cognitive mechanisms.…”