When are sexual difficulties distressing for women? the selective protective value of intimate relationships

Journal of Sexual Medicine

Volumn 7, Issue 11, 2010, Pages 3683-3694

  Stephenson, Kyle R ^a   Meston, Cindy M ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN   (United States)

Author keywords

Attachment Orientation; Female Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Distress; Sexual Functioning

Indexed keywords

ADULT; ANXIETY; ARTICLE; EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT; EMOTIONAL STRESS; FEMALE; HUMAN; INTIMACY; ORGASM; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PSYCHOSEXUAL DISORDER; SEXUAL AROUSAL; SEXUAL DISTRESS; SEXUAL FUNCTION; SEXUAL SATISFACTION;

EID: 78049462003     PISSN: 17436095     EISSN: 17436109     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01958.x     Document Type: Article

References (70)

1. Laumann E, Palik A, Rosen R. Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. JAMA 1999;281: 537-44.
2. Hayes R, Dennerstein L, Bennet C, Sidat M, Gurrin L, Fairley C. Risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in the general population: Exploring factors associated with low sexual function and sexual distress. J Sex Med 2008;5:1681-93.
3. Hayes R, Dennerstein L, Bennet C, Fairley C. What is the "true" prevalence of female sexual dysfunctions and does the way we assess these conditions have an impact? J Sex Med 2008;5:777-87.
4. Oberg K, Fugl-Meyer K. On Swedish women's distressing sexual dysfunctions: Some concomitant conditions and life satisfaction. J Sex Med 2005;2:169-80.
5. Shifren J, Monz B, Russo P, Segreti A, Johanes C. Sexual problems and distress in United States women: Prevalence and correlates. Obstet Gynecol 2008;112:970-8.
6. Ferenidou F, Kapoteli V, Moisidis K, Koutsogiannis I, Giakoumelous A, Hatzichristou D. Presence of a sexual problem may not affect women's satisfaction from their sexual function. J Sex Med 2008;5:631-9.
7. King M, Holt V, Nazareth I. Women's views of their sexual difficulties: Agreement and disagreement with clinical diagnoses. Arch Sex Behav 2007;36:281-8.
8. Bancroft J, Loftus J, Long S. Distress about sex: A national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Arch Sex Behav 2003;3:193-208.
9. MacNeil S, Byers E. The relationships between sexual problems, communication, and sexual satisfaction. Can J Hum Sex 1997;6:277-83.
10. Oliver M, Hyde J. Gender differences in sexuality: A meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 1993;114:129-51.
11. Peplau L. Human sexuality: How do men and women differ? Curr Dir Psychol Sci 2003;12:37-40.
12. Larson J, Anderson S, Holman T, Niemann B. A longitudinal study of the effects of premarital communication, relationship stability, and self-esteem on sexual satisfaction in the first year of marriage. J Sex Marital Ther 1998;24:193-206.
13. Stanley SM, Markman HJ. Marriage in the '90s: A nationwide random phone survey. Denver, CO: PREP, Inc.; 1997.
14. Waite LJ, Joyner K. Emotional satisfaction and physical pleasure in sexual unions: Time horizon, sexual behavior, and sexual exclusivity. J Marriage Fam 2001;63:247-64.
15. McCabe MP. The interrelationship between intimacy, relationship functioning, and sexuality among men and women in committed relationships. Can J Hum Sex 1999;8:31-8.
16. Byers E. Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. J Sex Res 2005;42:113-8.
17. Barrientos J, Páez D. Psychosocial variables of sexual satisfaction in Chile. J Sex Marital Ther 2006;32:351-68.
18. Perrone KM, Worthington EL. Factors influencing ratings of martial quality by individuals within dual-career marriages: A conceptual model. J Couns Psychol 2001;48:3-9.
19. Haning R, O'Keefe S, Randall E, Kommor M, Baker E, Wilson R. Intimacy, orgasm likelihood, and conflict predict sexual satisfaction in heterosexual male and female respondents. J Sex Marital Ther 2007;33:93-113.
20. Moret L, Glaser B, Page R, Bargeron E. Intimacy and sexual satisfaction in unmarried couple relationships: A pilot study. Fam J 1998;6:33-9.
21. Vohs K, Baumeister R. Sexual passion, intimacy, and gender. In: Mashek DJ, Arthur A, eds. Handbook of closeness and intimacy. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2004:189-99.
22. Ellison C. Intimacy-based sex therapy: Sexual choreography. In: Kleinplatz PJ, ed. New directions in sex therapy: Innovations and alternatives. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge; 2001:163-84.
23. Sinclair V, Dowdy S. Development and validation of the Emotional Intimacy Scale. J Nurs Meas 2005;13:193-206.
24. Vanfossen BE. Sex differences in the mental health effects of spouse support and equity. J Health Soc Behav 1981;22:130-43.
25. Theiss J, Solomon D. Parsing the mechanisms that increase relational intimacy: The effects of uncertainty amount, open communication about uncertainty, and the reduction of uncertainty. Hum Commun Res 2008;34:625-54.
26. Hassebrauck M, Fehr B. Dimensions of relationship quality. Pers Relat 2002;15:137-42.
27. Sternberg RJ. A triangular theory of love. Psychol Rev 1986;93:119-35.
28. Aron A, Westbay L. Dimensions of the prototype of love. J Pers Soc Psychol 1996;70:535-51.
29. Huston TL, Burgess RL. Social exchange in developing relationships: An overview. In: Burgess RL, Huston TL, eds. Social exchange in developing relationships. New York, NY: Academic Press; 1979:3-28.
30. Sprecher S. Social exchange theories and sexuality. J Sex Res 1998;35:32-43.
31. Lawrance K, Byers E. Development of the interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction in long term relationships. Can J Hum Sex 1992;1:123-8.
32. Byers E, MacNeil S. Further validation of the interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction. J Sex Marital Ther 2006;32:53-69.
33. Birnbaum G, Laser-Brandt D. Gender differences in the experience of heterosexual intercourse. Can J Hum Sex 2002;11:143-58.
34. Birnbaum G, Reis HT, Mikulincer M, Gillath O, Opraz A. When is sex more than just sex: Attachment orientations, sexual experience, and relationship quality. J Pers Soc Psychol 2006;91:929-43.
35. Butzer B, Campbell L. Adult attachment, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction: A study of married couples. Pers Relat 2008;15:141-54.
36. Davis D, Shaver P, Widaman K, Vernon M, Follette W, Beitz K. "I can't get no satisfaction": Insecure attachment, inhibited sexual communication, and sexual dissatisfaction. Pers Relat 2006;13:465-83.
37. Mikulincer M, Shaver P. Attachment theory and emotions in close relationships: Exploring the attachment-related dynamics of emotional reactions to relational events. Pers Relat 2005;12:149-68.
38. Collins N, Read S. Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. J Pers Soc Psychol 1990;58:644-63.
39. Simpson J. Influence of attachment styles on romantic relationships. J Pers Soc Psychol 1990;59:971-80.
40. Birnbaum G. Attachment orientations, sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction in a community sample of women. J Soc Pers Relat 2007;24:21-35.
41. Davis D, Shaver P, Vernon M. Attachment style and subjective motivations for sex. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2004;30:1076-90.
42. Impett E, Gordon A, Strachman A. Attachment and daily sexual goals: A study of dating couples. Pers Relat 2008;15:375-90.
43. Rosen R, Shifren J, Monz B, Odom D, Russo P, Johanes C. Correlates of sexually related personal distress in women with low sexual desire. J Sex Med 2009;6:1549-60.
44. Hayes R, Dennerstein L. The impact of aging on sexual function and sexual dysfunction in women: A review of population based studies. J Sex Med 2005;2:317-30.
45. Ahrold T, Stephenson K, Meston CM. Validated questionnaires in female sexual function assessment. In: Mulhall J, Goldstein I, Incrocci L, Rosen R, eds. Cancer & sexuality. In press.
46. Derogatis L, Rosen R, Leiblum S, Burnett A, Heiman J. The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS): Initial validation of a standardized scale for assessment of sexually related personal distress in women. J Sex Marital Ther 2002;28:317-30.
47. Lief H. Satisfaction and distress: Disjunctions in the components of sexual response. J Sex Marital Ther 2001;27:169-70.
48. Meston CM, Trapnell P. Development and validation of a five-factor sexual satisfaction and distress scale for women: The Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W). J Sex Med 2005;2:66-81.
49. Stephenson KR, Meston CM. Differentiating components of sexual well-being in women: Are sexual satisfaction and sexual distress independent constructs? J Sex Med 2010;7:2458-68.
50. Rosen R, Brown CJH, Leiblum S, Meston CM, Shabsigh R. The female sexual function index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther 2000;26:191-208.
51. Meston CM. Validation of the female sexual function index (FSFI) in women with female orgasmic disorder and in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. J Sex Marital Ther 2003;29:39-46.
52. Sibley C, Liu J. Short-term temporal stability and factor structure of the revised experiences in close relationships (ECR-R) measure of adult attachment. Pers Individ Dif 2004;36:969-75.
53. Sibley C, Fischer R, Liu J. Reliability and validity of the revised Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-R) self-report measure of adult romantic attachment. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2005;31:1524-36.
54. Mikulincer M, Shaver P. The attachment behavioral system in adulthood: Activation, psychodynamics, and interpersonal processes. In: Zanna MP, ed. Advances in experimental social psychology. New York, NY: Academic Press; 2003:53-153.
55. Basson R. Sexual desire/arousal disorders in women. In: Leiblum S, ed. Principles and practice of sex therapy. Vol 4. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 2007:25-53.
56. Schachner D, Shaver P. Attachment dimensions and sexual motives. Pers Relat 2004;11:179-95.
57. Philippsohn S, Hartman U. Determinants of sexual satisfaction in a sample of German women. J Sex Med 2009;6:1001-10.
58. Brody S, Costa RM. Satisfaction (sexual, life, relationship, and mental health) is associated directly with penile-vaginal intercourse, but inversely with other sexual behavior frequencies. J Sex Med 2009;6:1947-54.
59. Schwartz N. Self reports: How the questions shape the answers. Am Psychol 1999;4:93-105.
60. Levine LJ, Safer MA. Sources of bias in memory for emotions. Curr Dir Psychol Sci 2002;11:169-73.
61. Sand M, Brotto L. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A potential "gold standard" measure for assessing sexual function in women. J Sex Med In press.
62. Gerstenberger EP, Rosen R, Brewer J, et al. Sexual desire and the Female Sexual Function Index: A sexual desire cutpoint for clinical interpretation of the FSFI in women with and without hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). J Sex Med In press.
63. Günzler C, Kriston L, Harms A, Berner M. Association of sexual functioning and quality of partnership in patients in cardiovascular rehabilitation-A gender perspective. J Sex Med 2009;6:164-74.
64. Trivedi N, Sabini J. Volunteer bias, sexuality, and personality. Arch Sex Behav 1998;27:181-95.
65. Larzelere R, Kuhn B, Johnson B. The Intervention selection bias: An underrecognized confound in intervention research. Psychol Bull 2004;130:289-303.
66. Apt C, Hurlbert D, Pierce A, White C. Relationship satisfaction, sexual characteristics and the psychosocial well-being of women. Can J Hum Sex 1996;5:195-210.
67. Sprecher S. Sexual satisfaction in premarital relationships: associations with satisfaction, love, commitment, and stability. J Sex Res 2002;39:190-6.
68. Stephenson KR, Ahrold T, Meston CM. The association between sexual motives and sexual satisfaction: Gender differences and categorical comparisons. Arch Sex Behav In press.
69. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-text revised. 4th edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
70. Tiefer L, Hall M, Tavris C. Beyond dysfunction: A new view of women's sexual problems. J Sex Marital Ther 2002;28:225-32.