Does anxiety sensitivity interfere with sexual well-being? Evidence from a community sample

Abstract

Anxiety sensitivity has been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor with implications for problems in sexual well-being; those with higher anxiety sensitivity tend to experience poorer sexual well-being. The current study extended work examining links between anxiety sensitivity and sexual well-being to a community sample while taking into account broader psychological well-being. Participants were 484 men, women, and gender diverse adults (M age = 31.70 years; SD = 11.26) who had engaged in partnered sexual activity at least once in their lifetime. We assessed sexual well-being broadly by including measures of sexual function, cognitive-affective responses (i.e. sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, sexual distress), and sexual behavior (i.e. frequency of sexual activity, avoidance of sex). Multiple regression analyses showed that anxiety sensitivity is linked to poorer sexual well-being among men and women. Associations between anxiety sensitivity and sexual pain, sexual satisfaction (for women), and sexual distress persisted over and above the contributions of psychological well-being. Few gender effects were noted, suggesting that these experiences are common to all. Findings have clinical implications relevant to those working with individuals with anxiety or sexual problems.