Sexual function, absorption, and attachment styles

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Absorbed states refer to states of focused attention in which individuals get engrossed and fascinated by sensory and imaginary experiences to the point of a transient alteration in the usual awareness of self, space, and time. As such, the propensity to enter absorbed states indicates a greater tendency to experience altered states of consciousness by a variety of triggers, including sex. The personality tendency to experience absorbed states is commonly given the name absorption or self-forgetfulness. Previously, higher self-forgetfulness was found to correlate with higher desire in both sexes, and with greater coital frequency in men. A proposed explanation is that absorbed states may favor fascination and emotional engagement with partners or potential partners. Given that fantasy can be a focus of absorbed attention, people more prone to absorbed states might have richer and more intense sex fantasies. However, there is also evidence that disorganized attachment is associated with propensity to experience absorbed states. Given that insecure attachment has been related to sexual difficulties, the findings are difficult to reconcile. Objectives To test for independent associations of self-forgetfulness (absorption) with sexual function, anxious attachment, and avoidant attachment. Method During a laboratory study, 324 Portuguese (312 women, 112 men) reported their frequency of sexual behaviors in the past month and how satisfied they were with their sex lives. Sexual desire was assessed with the desire dimensions of the Female Sexual Function Index and the International Index of Erectile Function. Propensity for absorbed states was assessed by the self-forgetfulness subscale of the Temperament and Character Inventory – Revised. Multiple regressions were run with self-forgetfulness as dependent variable. The independent variables were anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and in separate regressions, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, penile-vaginal intercourse frequency, noncoital sex frequency, and solitary masturbation frequency. Results In women, self-forgetfulness was independently associated with: 1) higher desire (β = .15) and more attachment anxiety (β = .13), 2) more sexual satisfaction (β =.16) and more attachment anxiety (β = .17), 3) greater masturbation frequency (β = .13) and more attachment anxiety (β = .15). In men, self-forgetfulness was independently associated with: 1) higher desire (β = .23) and more attachment anxiety (β = .19), 2) greater coital frequency (β = .19) and more attachment anxiety (β = .22), 3) greater noncoital sex frequency (β = .24) and more attachment anxiety (β = .20). Conclusion Propensity for absorbed states can favor sexual function, but can also be part of the psychological dynamics of insecure attachment. In the former case, the tendency to experiencing absorbed states might lead to greater fascination by attractive people and to a richer erotic fantasy. In the latter case, absorbed states might be part of psychological defenses against stressors related to intimate relationships, such as dissociation and use of fantasy as a means of “escape” of reality, which have no relevance for sexual function, or might even be detrimental. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.