How Do Psychological Risk Factors Predict Sexual Outcomes? A Comparison of Four Models of Young Women’s Sexual Outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundRecent research findings suggest that women who report high anxiety sensitivity (AS; the fear of physiologic sensations associated with anxiety) also report increased sexual dysfunction and decreased sexual satisfaction. Moreover, findings suggest that maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) can contribute to the relation between AS and psychological distress, thereby indirectly influencing sexual outcomes. Identifying relations among these variables and how they specifically relate to sexual outcomes could be vital for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. As such, a comparison of different models of sexual outcomes that encompass psychological and sexual risk factors is needed. AimTo compare four psychological models of women’s sexual outcomes in a cross-sectional sample and specifically to investigate whether psychological factors (ie, AS, ER, psychological distress) uniquely or jointly predict related, but distinct, sexual outcomes in women: sexual functioning, sexual quality of life, and frequency of sexual activity. MethodsWomen (N = 316) completed an online survey that included the Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3, Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, Sexual Quality of Life Scale–Female, Female Sexual Function Index, and Sexual Experiences Questionnaire–Female. OutcomesOutcome variables included women’s self-reported sexual functioning, sexual quality of life, and frequency of sexual activity. ResultsPath analysis models demonstrated that psychological factors predicted orgasm, sexual pain, sexual quality of life, and frequency of partnered sexual activity in women but predicted sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, and frequency of solitary sexual activity to a lesser degree. We found that ER significantly accounted for the relation between AS and psychological distress through mediation and moderation pathways. Clinical TranslationClinicians would benefit from incorporating psychological risk factors in their assessment and interventions of women’s sexual concerns. Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first study to compare models of women’s sexual lives using indicators of mental and sexual health. However, our study was limited to a cross-sectional sample of young women in one university setting. ConclusionsAS, ER, and psychological distress are related to sexual functioning, sexual quality of life, and frequency of partnered sexual activity in young women. Psychological risk factors should be taken into consideration to better understand women’s sexual lives.Tutino JS, Ouimet AJ, Shaughnessy K. How Do Psychological Risk Factors Predict Sexual Outcomes? A Comparison of Four Models of Young Women’s Sexual Outcomes. J Sex Med 2017;14:1232–1240.