Sarah H. Murray

Gender Differences in Desire Discrepancy as a Predictor of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in a College Sample of Heterosexual Romantic Relationships

The authors examined desire discrepancy and its effect on sexual and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 133 heterosexual couples attending a midsize university. Couples were required to be in a relationship for at least 1 year (M = 4.32 years, SD = 3.13 years); 23.7% of the couples were cohabitating. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that higher desire discrepancy scores significantly predicted womens (but not mens) lower sexual satisfaction after controlling for relationship satisfaction. Higher desire discrepancy scores significantly predicted mens (but not womens) lower relationship satisfaction after controlling for sexual satisfaction. The authors assessed gender differences using a mixed model with the dyad and gender as factors and satisfaction as the outcome. Although gender difference patterns appeared in the regression models, the differences were nonsignificant within each couple in the extent to which desire discrepancy affected sexual and relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest moving away from focusing on only one partner with low desire and shifting attention to the dyads interaction. Also, the way in which desire discrepancy affects sexual and relationship satisfaction deserves consideration. Therapeutic implications and study limitations are discussed.

Sexual Desire and Relationship Duration in Young Men and Women

Sexual desire is often present at the beginning of a romantic relationship. However, research is divided regarding whether, and how, desire is experienced as a relationship progresses. The authors examined relationship duration and its effect on sexual desire in a sample of 170 undergraduate men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that womens sexual desire was significantly and negatively predicted by relationship duration after controlling for age, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. Mens sexual desire, however, was not significantly affected by the duration of their romantic relationships. These findings suggest that men and women may have different experiences with sexual desire as relationships progress and that sexual desire might be affected by different factors depending on ones gender. Possible reasons for these results are suggested and therapeutic implications are discussed.

Young women's descriptions of sexual desire in long-term relationships

The aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of how women in emerging adulthood describe and make sense of their experience of sexual desire in long-term relationships. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women in long-term relationships (2.5 years or longer) in emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) regarding their experiences of sexual desire. In order to ensure a range of experiences, we recruited two groups of women: those who were “wondering where the passion has gone” and those who felt “the passion was stillalive”. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Women provided various explanations for why they continued to experience high desire orexperience a decrease in desire. Similarities and differences between the two groups of women are explored and implications of this studys results are discussed.

A Qualitative Comparison of Young Women's Maintained versus Decreased Sexual Desire in Longer-Term Relationships

The present study investigated sexual desire in young, heterosexual women in longer-term relationships. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who self-identified as belonging to one of two study groups: “the passion is still alive” (Mean age = 24.0 years, n = 10) or “wondering where the passion has gone” (Mean age = 24.8 years, n = 10). Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology to investigate experiences of women in these two groups. Although women in both groups reported some common meanings and experiences, sexual desire was also described and experienced differently by women in each group. Categories distinguishing two groups included an ability to stay mentally present, sexual particularity, importance of sex in ones relationship, feeling desired, effectiveness of partners sexual initiation, relational intimacy, the interpretation of monotony and routine, and sexual communication. Most differentiating factors were linked to personal and relationship factors, followed by partner factors. Women in the “passion is still alive” group appeared to embrace certain inevitabilities about sexual desire in long-term relationships and were more likely to recognize that their sex life required attention and maintenance as their relationship progressed. The findings point to factors that could be valuable to younger women who are in longer-term relationships.

The Impact of a Couple’s Vibrator on Men’s Perceptions of Their Own and Their Partner’s Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction

Recent research demonstrated that more men, particularly those in couple relationships, are using vibrators to enhance sexual pleasure. However, men’s perceptions of vibrator use with a partner have rarely been investigated. The purpose of this analysis was to study men’s perceptions of the impact of vibrator use on their and their partner’s sexual pleasure and sexual satisfaction. Forty-nine men, aged twenty-five to fifty-eight, in heterosexual relationships responded to a series of open-ended questions regarding their experience of incorporating a couple-oriented vibrator into their sexual repertoire over a six-week period. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The data were organized into four themes: physical pleasure, awareness of partner’s experience, novelty and variety, and intimacy. Men’s experiences of sexual pleasure were tied to perceptions of their partner’s pleasure and to the addition of novelty and variety in sexual encounters.

A Qualitative Exploration of Factors That Affect Sexual Desire Among Men Aged 30 to 65 in Long-Term Relationships

Few empirical studies have explored men’s experiences of sexual desire, particularly in the context of long-term relationships. The objective of the current study was to investigate the factors that elicit and inhibit men’s sexual desire. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 men between the ages of 30 and 65 (average age 42.83 years) currently in long-term heterosexual relationships (average duration 13 years 4 months). Analysis was conducted using grounded theory methodology from the interpretivist perspective. A total of 14 themes and 23 subthemes were identified to capture men’s descriptions of eliciting and inhibiting factors of their sexual desire. The six most integral themes are presented in the current article, all of which reflect the perspectives of the majority of participants, regardless of age or relationship duration, specifically (a) feeling desired, (b) exciting and unexpected sexual encounters, (c) intimate communication, (d) rejection, (e) physical ailments and negative health characteristics, and (f) lack of emotional connection with partner. The findings suggest that men’s sexual desire may be more complex and relational than previous research suggests. Implications for researchers and therapists are discussed.

Influence of sexual arousability on partner communication mediators of condom use among African American female adolescents.

UNLABELLED Background Ample evidence shows that partner sexual communication is related to condom use. Although communication about safer sex may often occur when sexual arousal is high, no studies have examined arousability, ones propensity for sexual arousal and partner sexual communication. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between sexual arousability and partner-related mediators of condom use among African American female adolescents, who have disproportionate risk for HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). METHODS The study analysed self-reported baseline data from 701 African American females aged 14-20 years participating in a HIV/STI trial. Linear regression models examined associations between arousability and partner-related mediators of condom use (partner sexual communication self-efficacy, partner sexual communication frequency, sex refusal self-efficacy and condom use self-efficacy), controlling for age, impulsivity and relationship power. RESULTS Greater arousability was significantly associated with reduced levels of each partner communication outcome assessed (partner sexual communication self-efficacy, partner sexual communication frequency and sex refusal self-efficacy) but was not associated with condom use self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Arousal and other positive aspects of sex have largely been ignored by HIV/STI prevention efforts, which primarily focus on individual behaviour. A population-level sexual health approach focusing on sexual wellbeing may reduce stigma, facilitate partner sexual communication and be more effective at reducing HIV/STI rates than traditional approaches.

The Impact of Attachment Style on Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Desire in a Sexually Diverse Sample

ABSTRACT Research has indicated that adult romantic attachment is influential and important to sexual and relationship satisfaction. Sexual desire, although not a direct focus of attachment literature, is highly related to sexual and relationship satisfaction, suggesting it may also be impacted by attachment style in romantic couples. However, the research conducted on sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and attachment has been largely heterocentric, making it difficult to determine whether the findings documented in the literature thus far are relevant in a sexually diverse group of individuals. The current study aimed to better understand the way that attachment style may impact sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction in a sample of sexually diverse men and women. In total, 955 individuals (63.4% cisgender women, 30.7% cisgender men, 6.0% genderqueer, 54.8% straight, 20.4% bisexual, 18.4% gay) participated in a web-based study examining relationship dynamics. Three multivariate regression models indicated that attachment style significantly predicted relationship satisfaction (29% of variance accounted for), sexual satisfaction (19% of variance accounted for), and sexual desire (4% of variance accounted for). Attachment style appears to be a more important contributing factor to satisfaction than desire among diverse sexual orientations. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

Good gets better? Examining the impact of prescribed sexual activity on long-term heterosexually configured couples’ sexual and relationship satisfaction

ABSTRACT Although correlates and predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction are frequently investigated, few studies have systematically examined approaches that are designed to enhance such endpoints among couples. This study evaluated the impact of a six- to eight-week intervention consisting of prescribed sexual activity with and without a sex toy among a community sample of 49 couples in heterosexual relationships. While quantitative analyses did not reveal statistically significant differences among standardized outcome measures, post hoc ceiling effects were noted, and open-ended responses analyzed using thematic analysis indicated the majority of men (75.5%) and women (79.5%) perceived that their sexual relationship satisfaction had improved as a result of participating in the intervention. Seven themes were developed to describe the ways that satisfaction increased over the course of the study: (1) introducing something fun and novel; (2) giving and receiving pleasure; (3) relating and communicating; (4) making time and space in ones relationship for sex and pleasure; (5) increasing emotional closeness; (6) increasing womens comfort with sex; and (7) validating strengths and barriers within the relationship. The findings of this study suggest specific relationship-enhancing effects of prescribed sexual activity for couples.