Higher Sexual Satisfaction Research Articles

Is Spontaneous Sex Ideal? Beliefs and Perceptions of Spontaneous and Planned Sex and Sexual Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACT Sexual satisfaction is critical for relationship quality and people hold lay beliefs (implicit theories) about what makes for satisfying sex. A common belief in Western culture is that spontaneous sex is most satisfying, but this idea has not yet been studied. In pre-registered analyses of two studies – a cross sectional (N = 303 individuals) and a 21-day daily experience study (N = 121 couples) – we found support for two distinct beliefs (spontaneous sex as satisfying; planned sex as satisfying). Across both studies, people held stronger beliefs that spontaneous sex is satisfying compared to planned sex, but stronger spontaneous sex beliefs were only associated with higher sexual satisfaction in Study 1. In Study 1, when people perceived their most recent sexual experience as planned (versus spontaneous), they felt less sexually satisfied, but this was not the case for those who endorsed stronger planned sex beliefs. In Study 2, endorsing stronger planned sex beliefs was associated with a partner’s lower sexual satisfaction at baseline. There were no associations between perceptions of the extent to which sex was spontaneous and sexual satisfaction at baseline or in daily life. Future research could test whether beliefs about spontaneity and planning have value in clinical settings.

Sexual Behaviors, Satisfaction, and Intentions to Engage in Casual Sexual Relationships and Experiences in Emerging Adulthood.

The present study examined the role of sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction in casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs) on both immediate and long-term intentions to engage in further CSREs in a sample of emerging adults. We examined how four different operationalizations of sexual behavior (1) Penetrative sexual behaviors not including oral sex vs. non-penetrative sexual behaviors, (2) Penetrative sexual behaviors including oral sex vs. non-penetrative sexual behaviors, (3) Most sexually intimate behaviors, and (4) A sum score of sexual behaviors) and sexual satisfaction were associated with immediate intentions to engage in CSREs (measured during a five-day daily diary) and long-term intentions to engage in CSREs (measured one month later). Follow-up analyses examined intentions to engage in additional CSREs with a different partner. Our sample (N = 274) included both college-attending and non-college-attending emerging adults. Path analysis models indicated that more sexually intimate behaviors were associated with higher sexual satisfaction following a CSRE. Additionally, sexual satisfaction, but not type of sexual behavior, was associated with both immediate and long-term intentions to engage in CSREs above and beyond the effects of sample, gender, alcohol consumption, and previous CSREs. Follow-up analyses indicated that only alcohol consumption and gender were significantly associated with immediate intentions to engage in a CSRE, and only daily diary intentions and gender were significantly associated with long-term intentions to engage in a CSRE. Overall, these findings support previous research that suggests positive outcomes of a CSRE (sexual satisfaction) are associated with higher intentions to engage in future CSREs.

SEXUAL MOTIVES, SEXUAL FREQUENCY, AND SEXUAL SATISFACTION AMONG MIDDLE-AGED DIFFERENT-SEX AND SAME-SEX COUPLES

Abstract Reasons for having sex and frequency of sex are significant correlates of sexual satisfaction. However, the possible interplay between sexual motives and sexual frequency remains unexplored. Also, prior studies on sexual satisfaction largely focused on heterosexual couples and less is known about the experiences of same-sex couples. Using dyadic survey data collected from 838 middle-aged spouses in 419 gay, lesbian, and heterosexual marriages, this study examined whether the associations between sexual motives and sexual satisfaction differed by sexual frequency and whether these dynamics varied across gay, lesbian, and heterosexual couples. Results showed that intrinsic sexual motives (e.g., for enjoyment and pleasure) were associated with higher sexual satisfaction only in the context of more frequent sex, and this association did not differ for same- and different-sex couples. On the other hand, extrinsic sexual motives (e.g., to please spouse) were associated with lower levels of sexual satisfaction in the context of high-frequency sex only among men married to men and women married to men, wherein the association was stronger for heterosexual couples compared to same-sex couples. These associations were not significant with less frequent sex. Results suggest that while frequent engagement in sex with intrinsic sexual motives benefits middle-aged adults’ sexual satisfaction regardless of relationship type, the sexual satisfaction of individuals married to men is vulnerable to the negative consequences of engaging in sex due to external pressure. These findings highlight the importance of considering how sexual experiences of men and women in midlife same-sex marriages compare to those of different-sex marriages.

Unmet and Exceeded Expectations for Sexual Concerns across the Transition to Parenthood

ABSTRACT Expectations play a key role in shaping sexual and relationship well-being. Across the transition to parenthood, couples navigate many changes to their sexual relationships, yet little is known about their expectations related to sex. This longitudinal study investigated how unmet and exceeded expectations for postpartum sexual concerns – assessed in pregnancy and compared to experiences at 3-months postpartum – affect sexual and relationship well-being. Data were collected from 200 new-parent couples mid-pregnancy and at 3, 6, 9, and 12-months postpartum. Mothers’ unmet expectations (i.e., sexual experiences were worse than expected) were associated with their own lower sexual and relationship satisfaction at 3-months postpartum. Partners’ unmet expectations were associated with their own lower sexual satisfaction, higher sexual distress and relationship conflict, and mothers’ lower sexual satisfaction. Mothers’ exceeded expectations (i.e., sexual experiences were not as bad as they expected) were linked to their own and their partners’ higher sexual satisfaction and lower sexual distress and relationship conflict at 3-months postpartum. Partners’ exceeded expectations were only associated with mothers’ lower sexual distress at 3-months postpartum. Expectations did not predict change in outcomes over time. Findings provide novel evidence that expectations for one’s sexual relationship are associated with new parents’ sexual and relationship adjustment during a vulnerable period for sexuality and well-being.

Sexual Function, Behavior, And Satisfaction In Master Athletes

Sexual function and satisfaction are good indicators of overall life satisfaction and important elements of successful aging. Currently, it is not clear if maintaining habitual exercise in later life would yield the benefits of maintaining sexual activity and satisfaction. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between sustained participation in competitive exercise and its effects on sexual function, behavior, and satisfaction. METHODS: A total of 166 masters athletes (97 men; 57 ± 13 years) who had been training 45.6 ± 15.9 years in various sport disciplines including swimming, cycling, and running completed a comprehensive questionnaire. On average, the participants involved in aerobic and resistance training 5 times and 2 times per week, respectively. The data of the questionnaire response were compared with the existing survey data on the general population. RESULTS: Almost 80% of the athletes reported very good or excellent overall health status, and ~ 75% were married. The presence of impotence emerged in the 50s and increased thereafter with aging. More than 80% of the athletes had sexual desire at least once a week with a large discrepancy between genders (p < 0.01). Over 50% of male athletes and 33% of female athletes over the age of 70 reported sexual intercourse at least 1-2 times a month. ~95% of men and 76% of women reported experiencing orgasms during sexual intercourse. Approximately 70% of the athletes were satisfied with their sexual life compared with ~40% in the general population. Existence of sexual partners was a key factor affecting sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Masters athletes demonstrate high sexual function and satisfaction to later ages.

Dyadic Profiles of Sexual Satisfaction among Chinese Newlywed Couples over Time

ABSTRACT Although sexual satisfaction is a defining feature of marriage, research has consistently found that sexual satisfaction declines over time. Recently, however, emerging findings provide a more optimistic perspective on sexual satisfaction development by suggesting that couples may follow diverse sexual satisfaction trajectories. Using Dyadic Latent Class Growth Analysis, the current study is among the first to examine heterogeneity in couples’ sexual satisfaction trajectory patterns during the early years of marriage and the first to do so in a non-Western context. Specifically, we establish distinct trajectory classes among 268 mixed-sex newlywed couples in China based on two couple-level features – the absolute level of sexual satisfaction and synchrony over time – and then compare these classes on subsequent ratings of marital instability. Four distinct trajectory patterns were found: a stable high class, a wives low and simultaneous deterioration class, a husbands low decrease-wives high stable class, and a wives high decrease-husbands high stable class. Couples in the stable high class reported lower levels of marital instability at two-year follow-up compared to couples in the other classes, suggesting that high sexual satisfaction and synchrony is beneficial for couples’ marital relationships. These results provide further evidence challenging the inevitability of sexual satisfaction declines and have important implications for interventions aiming to enhance couples’ sexual relationship.

Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Violence in Adulthood and Women’s Sexuality: The Mediating Role of Shame and Guilt

This study examined the mediating role of emotions related to sexual violence in adulthood in the associations between social reactions to sexual violence disclosure and sexual outcomes. Self-reported data were collected from 324 women reporting sexual violence and path analyses were conducted among the 264 women (81.5%) who disclosed their most recent sexual violence experience. Results showed that emotional support was associated with higher sexual satisfaction. Victim blame was associated with greater guilt related to the sexual violence, which, in turn, was associated with higher sexual compulsivity. Stigmatization was associated with greater shame related to the sexual violence, which, in turn, was associated with higher sexual distress and avoidance, and lower sexual satisfaction and function. Our findings highlight the importance of social reactions to sexual violence disclosure in women’s sexuality.

A Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of Childhood Interpersonal Trauma and Dispositional Mindfulness: Heterogeneity of Sexual and Relational Outcomes in Adulthood

ABSTRACT The current mixed-method study aimed to 1) identify different childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) and dispositional mindfulness (DM) profiles in an adult sample; 2) illustrate these profiles with qualitative data documenting childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and CIT survivors’ perceptions of their own DM; and 3) examine profile differences on sexual and relational outcomes. Participants were 292 adults who completed an online questionnaire. A subsample of participants having reported a history of CSA (n = 51) also completed semi-structured interviews. Hierarchical cluster, comparison, and content analyses were performed. Analyses yielded three profiles: 1) Lower victimization, high mindfulness; 2) Psychological victimization, low mindfulness; and 3) Multi-victimization, low mindfulness. Participants in profile 1 presented the lowest frequency of CIT experiences and the highest levels of DM and sexual and relational well-being. Profile 2 participants presented higher sexual and relational well-being (i.e., higher sexual satisfaction, lower sexual depression, and fewer interpersonal conflicts) than those in profile 3. By documenting distinct CIT and DM profiles and tying them to different levels of relational and sexual well-being, this study could guide practitioners in designing tailored interventions.

Motives between the Sheets: Understanding Obligation for Sex at Midlife and Associations with Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Reasons for sex are associated with sexual and relational outcomes. This study investigated reasons for sex at last sex, with a focus on obligation (an avoidance motivation) and doing something nice for a partner (an approach motivation), and their associations with sexual and relationship satisfaction, while controlling for marital duration, age, and sexual desire. We investigated these reasons among married, midlife Canadian women (n = 324), men (n = 275), and 25 non-binary/gender queer participants 40 to 59 years of age. Participants were recruited from a Qualtrics analytics panel and completed an online questionnaire. Obligation was reported as a reason for having sex by 12.4% of women and 1.8% of men; “doing something nice” was reported by 10.2% of women and 9.5% of men. In regression analyses, women who reported having sex for obligation had significantly lower relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction than women who did not report this reason. In contrast, having sex to do something nice for one’s partner was associated with higher sexual satisfaction among women. Findings indicate that having sex when feeling obligated may be associated with negative sexual and relational outcomes among midlife women.

Associations between Conflict Negotiation Strategies, Sexual Comfort, and Sexual Satisfaction in Adolescent Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACT Achieving healthy and satisfying sexual relationships is a major developmental task in adolescence, but factors promoting sexual satisfaction among adolescent romantic relationships remain underexplored. Since sexuality is shaped by relational experiences, strategies mobilized to negotiate conflicts in romantic relationships could be related to sexual satisfaction through comfort in negotiating sexual experiences. Sexual comfort refers to the ease of discussing sexuality, and feeling comfortable with one’s own sexual life and with others’ sexual behaviors. This cross-sectional dyadic study examined the mediating role of sexual comfort in the associations between perceived conflict negotiation strategies and sexual satisfaction among adolescent romantic dyads. The actor-partner interdependence model guided the analyses of self-reported questionnaires from 104 mixed- and same-sex dyads (Mage = 18.99 years, SD = 1.51). An adolescent’s higher compromise and lower submission were related to their own higher sexual satisfaction via their own higher sexual comfort. The results also revealed a direct association between an adolescent’s higher domination and their own lower sexual satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of considering conflict negotiation strategies and sexual comfort as key factors related to adolescents’ sexual satisfaction.

The prevalence of premature ejaculation and its relationship with polygamous men: a cross-sectional observational study at a tertiary hospital in Somalia

BackgroundPremature ejaculation (PE) is the most common and prevalent sexual disorder among men. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study aimed at evaluating the relationship of PE among polygamous men.MethodOver a 1-year period, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out among 202 married men who visited the urology polyclinic due to different clinical conditions and contributed by completing a standardized structured questionnaire regarding their sociodemographic data, as well as sexual and past medical history.ResultsIn our study, the prevalence of PE was 37.1%; half of the monogamous men (50%) complained of PE, while 22% of men with two wives, 20% of men with three wives, and 12% of men with four wives complained of PE (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.122–1.920). Seventy percent of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients had PE concurrence (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.057–5.543). Regarding frequency of sexual intercourse, 48% of patients who complained of PE performed sexual intercourse less than two times/week, while two-thirds of the participants who did not complain of PE had sexual intercourse two to four times/week (p < 0.0001, 95% CI 0.203–0.568). Among the men who reported ED, 42% had one wife, 21.5% had two wives, 40% had three wives, and 12.5% had four wives (p < 0.029, 95% CI 0.417–0.962).ConclusionsWe report that polygamous men have a lower incidence of premature ejaculation and higher sexual satisfaction than monogamous men. There is a significant association between ED and PE, showing a complex and bidirectional relationship between the two conditions. The new taxonomic entity called loss of control of erection and ejaculation (LCEE) views the two sexual symptoms as deeply interrelated. The study results indicate that a sexual intercourse frequency of two or more times per week significantly lowers the risk of PE.

It's The "Why": Links between (Non)autonomous Sexual Motives, Sexual Assertiveness, and Women's Orgasm in Casual Sex.

Existing literature shows conflicting and inconclusive evidence regarding women's sexual experiences in casual sex. Some studies have found negative sexual outcomes (e.g., fewer orgasms), while others have found positive sexual outcomes (e.g., more orgasms, higher sexual satisfaction) when women had casual sex. According to self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), people's needs are fulfilled when their choice and behavior are self-motivated and reflect their intrinsic values. We hypothesized that women's autonomous motivation to have casual sex would be associated with higher orgasmic function, whereas nonautonomous motivation would be associated with lower orgasmic function in casual sex. We also hypothesized that sexual assertiveness would mediate the relationship between sexual motives and orgasmic function in casual sex. Participants in this study were women (N = 401) aged 18-59years who reported having had casual sex in the past 12months. Participants completed an online survey reporting their motives to have casual sex, sexual assertiveness, and orgasmic function (e.g., orgasm frequency, satisfaction with orgasm) in casual sex. We focused on two motives: (a) pleasure motive and (b) insecurity (i.e., self-esteem boost and pressure) motive. Results showed that greater pleasure (autonomous) motives related to higher sexual assertiveness, which in turn related to higher orgasmic function in casual sex. In contrast, greater insecurity (nonautonomous) motives related to lower sexual assertiveness, which in turn related to lower orgasmic function in casual sex. The findings support self-determination theory, suggesting that autonomous motives are important for women's sexual experience in casual sex.

Single and Multiple Orgasm Experience Among Women in Heterosexual Partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)

Orgasm occurrence plays an important role in general sexual satisfaction for women. Until now, only few studies have focused on examining a broad spectrum of sexuality- and relationship-specific factors associated with orgasm in heterosexual women currently in a long-term relationship or on differences between the overall experience of orgasm and multiple orgasms. The present study aims to understand how various sexuality- and relationship-associated factors are related to experiencing partnered orgasm among heterosexual women having stable relationships in Germany. Moreover, the study aims to differentiate between the overall experience of orgasm and the experience of multiple orgasms and shed light on their impact on general sexual satisfaction. Within the nationwide representative survey GeSiD (German Health and Sexuality Survey), n=1,641 sexually active women aged between 18 and 75 years in heterosexual relationships reported their experience of orgasm during the latest sexual encounter. Data on the type of sexual practices, frequency of sexual activity and of masturbation, relationship satisfaction, feelings of love, closeness, and general sexual satisfaction were analyzed. The overall experience of orgasm, the experience of multiple orgasms, and associations between experiencing orgasm and sexual satisfaction. Frequency of sexual activity, relationship satisfaction, feelings of love and closeness were moderately to strongly positively correlated with each other and each showed positive associations with the likelihood of orgasm. Greater number of sexual practices and frequency of sexual activity were associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing multiple orgasms, which in turn was correlated with higher sexual satisfaction. In clinical and therapeutic work with women who have difficulty achieving orgasm, central issues should be the perceived relationship quality as well as regular sexual activity with the partner. The present population-representative study is the first in Germany to identify significant factors associated with the experience of orgasm among heterosexual women in relationships. Further studies ought to include the frequency of orgasms in partnered sex over a longer period of time as well as the experience of orgasm during masturbation. The experience of orgasm for women is related to a variety of complex interpersonal mechanisms and to be associated with sexual satisfaction. Cerwenka S, Dekker A, Pietras L, et al. Single and Multiple Orgasm Experience Among Women in Heterosexual Partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD). J Sex Med 2021;18:2028-2038.

Sexual and Marital Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children With Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sexual satisfaction and type of relationship between spouses, and then to determine the correlation between these variables and independent variables. These include: disability type of the child, the number of children in the family, and the gender of the parents. The hypothesis was that ‘the level of sexual satisfaction in parents is significantly related to the type of disability possessed by their children’ and similarly it was found that disability type significantly affects the type of relationship between parents. The research was conducted using the Matched Marriage Questionnaire (MMQ) and the Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS). The data obtained in the study showed that most spouses experience high and average sexual satisfaction and no particular differences between men and women were observed. The differences appeared when analyzing parents of a child with autism. In this group the results were more diverse in the detailed descriptions of the scale. The results obtained regarding marital relationship satisfaction indicate a not very favorable picture of the relationships of the surveyed subjects.

One Line of Sexual Decline? Growth Mixture Modeling for Midlife Sexual Satisfaction.

Most research has shown that sexual satisfaction in long-term relationships tends to decline over time. Studies showing the average trajectory, however, are limited by only assessing one slope. With longitudinal data from the Flourishing Families Project, Marital Instability Dataset, and the Iowa Youth and Families Project, we utilized growth mixture modeling to assess what trajectories of sexual satisfaction exist in midlife marriages. In the three samples (one individual, two dyadic), we found clear evidence for heterogeneous sexual satisfaction trajectories, for both wives and husbands. Through the datasets, we found some trajectories did decline over time. We also found stably high, stably medium, stably low, and some trajectories that showed an increase in sexual satisfaction over time. Overall, trajectories were similar for wives and husbands, though some classes had one partner with variability while the other was stable, some classes had trajectories with wives having higher sexual satisfaction than husbands, and some classes had trajectories with husbands having higher sexual satisfaction than wives. Demographic variables were not strong distinguishers of these differing trajectories. Both marital satisfaction and perceived marital stability trajectories (based on sexual satisfaction classes) generally had similar patterns to sexual satisfaction trajectories, with a few exceptions. Both marital satisfaction and perceived marital stability were less likely to significantly change over time, have discrepancies between wives and husbands, and have either low marital satisfaction or high perceived marital instability, even if sexual satisfaction was low. These data can help couples recognize various possibilities for sexual satisfaction over time, perhaps helping them to avoid cultural myths of inevitably declining sexual satisfaction.

The relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital commitment among married women in Iran

Sexual satisfaction is one of the factors affecting interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between sexual satisfaction and marital commitment among married women in Neyshabur, Iran in 2019.&#x0D; This cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 married women. The instruments used were Larsson sexual satisfaction and marital commitment Adams questionnaire. The collected data were entered in to SPSS software with version 20 and using descriptive statistic methods, The Pearson’s correlation analysis and ANOVA tests were used.&#x0D; The mean age of women was 23.92±3.96 years. In addition, 7(2.12%), 37(11.21%), 148(44.84%) and 138(41.81%) of women showed zero, low, moderate, and high levels of sexual satisfaction. Marital commitment was positively correlated with the overall sexual satisfaction (r = 0.67, P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, marital commitment was associated with High sexual satisfaction n (r = .69, p &lt; .001), Medium sexual satisfaction (r=.52, p &lt; .001), Law of sexual satisfaction (r=.39, p &lt; .001) Lack of sexual satisfaction (r=.19, p &lt; .001), subscales of sexual satisfaction.&#x0D; Women with shorter marriage levels had higher sexual satisfaction and marital commitment. Therefore, health planners should adopt strategies to increase sexual satisfaction, marital commitment in women with longer marriage levels.

Sexual satisfaction and sexual distress after cancer: The role of body image disruption, self-compassion, sexual pain and relationship satisfaction.

To identify variables that correlate with sexual satisfaction and sexual distress among adult cancer survivors, and how these differ, providing a basis from which approaches to intervention may be identified. This study examined four key variables: body image disruption, self-compassion, relationship satisfaction and sexual pain, previously all linked to sexual quality of life. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online, with participants (n=113) recruited via cancer charities, support groups and sexual counsellors' networks. A multivariate multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyse relationships among variables. In a regression adjusted for age, sex and time since diagnosis, higher sexual distress was significantly associated with higher body image disruption (β=0.23; p=0.024), lower self-compassion (β=-0.29; p=0.009) and higher sexual pain (β=0.39; p<0.001); but not relationship satisfaction (β=-0.08; p=0.434). Higher sexual satisfaction was significantly associated with higher relationship satisfaction (β=0.35; p=0.002) and lower sexual pain (β=-0.29; p=0.005), but not body image disruption (β=-0.19; p=0.089), or self-compassion (β=0.06; p=0.614). Sexual pain had a significantly stronger association with sexual distress than sexual satisfaction; F (1, 84)=18.29, p<0.001. Sexual distress and sexual satisfaction are associated with different psycho-social correlates even though both are used as indicators of sexual health. Research should seek to further understand the differences in these two critical markers of sexual health, with these differences likely to highlight the need to match interventions to the nature of the sexual difficulties experienced following cancer treatment.

Is Expectant Couples’ Similarity in Attitudes to Sex during Pregnancy Linked to Their Sexual Well-being? A Dyadic Study with Response Surface Analysis

ABSTRACT Despite sexual activity being safe for the majority of expectant couples (i.e., the pregnant individual and their partner), negative attitudes toward having sex during pregnancy are common and are related to lower sexual well-being across this vulnerable life period. Using dyadic response surface analysis in a sample of 254 first-time expectant couples, we examined the degree to which expectant partners demonstrated similar versus dissimilar attitudes to sex during pregnancy and whether specific patterns of couples’ similarity in attitudes may uniquely contribute to their sexual satisfaction and sexual distress. Couples’ more positive attitudes (i.e., the more both partners perceived sexual activity as non-threatening to their pregnancy), rather than partners’ similarity in attitudes, were associated with lower sexual distress for both partners and higher sexual satisfaction for male partners. In couples where partners held more dissimilar attitudes, men demonstrated greater distress when their female partner’s attitudes were more positive than their own. To promote sexual well-being during pregnancy, interventions should assist couples to attain stronger positive attitudes to sex during pregnancy by targeting concerns about sex in both expectant partners.

Uncovering the Most Important Factors for Predicting Sexual Desire Using Explainable Machine Learning

Low sexual desire is the most common sexual problem reported with 34% of women and 15% of men reporting lack of desire for at least 3 months in a 12-month period. Sexual desire has previously been associated with both relationship and individual well-being highlighting the importance of understanding factors that contribute to sexual desire as improving sexual desire difficulties can help improve an individual's overall quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to identify the most salient individual (eg, attachment style, attitudes toward sexuality, gender) and relational (eg, relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, romantic love) predictors of dyadic and solitary sexual desire from a large number of predictor variables. Previous research has relied primarily on traditional statistical models which are limited in their ability to estimate a large number of predictors, non-linear associations, and complex interactions. We used a machine learning algorithm, random forest (a type of highly non-linear decision tree), to circumvent these issues to predict dyadic and solitary sexual desire from a large number of predictors across 2 online samples (N = 1,846; includes 754 individuals forming 377 couples). We also used a Shapley value technique to estimate the size and direction of the effect of each predictor variable on the model outcome. The outcomes included total, dyadic, and solitary sexual desire measured using the Sexual Desire Inventory. The models predicted around 40% of variance in dyadic and solitary desire with women's desire being more predictable than men's overall. Several variables consistently predicted dyadic sexual desire such as sexual satisfaction and romantic love, and solitary desire such as masturbation and attitudes toward sexuality. These predictors were similar for both men and women and gender was not an important predictor of sexual desire. The results highlight the importance of addressing overall relationship satisfaction when sexual desire difficulties are presented in couples therapy. It is also important to understand clients' attitudes toward sexuality. The study improves on existing methodologies in the field and compares a large number of predictors of sexual desire. However, the data were cross-sectional and there may have been variables that are important for desire but were not present in the datasets. Higher sexual satisfaction and feelings of romantic love toward one's partner are important predictors of dyadic sexual desire whereas regular masturbation and more permissive attitudes toward sexuality predicted solitary sexual desire.

Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction and Mental Health in Married Older Women

Background: The aging population is increasing rapidly; therefore, paying attention to the needs of older people is necessary. Sexual satisfaction, which is needed to feel happy, is often neglected in older women. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between sexual satisfaction and mental health in older women. Materials and Methods: In this analytical study with a cross-sectional design, 195 married women aged ≥60 years covered by urban and rural health centers of Guilan, Iran were recruited using a cluster sampling method. A demographic form, the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and a Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were completed by participants and collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 22 software using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, standard deviation, median), and Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests. Results: There was a significant relationship between sexual satisfaction and mental health in older women (P&lt;0.0001). 51.2%, 27.7% and 21.08% of participants had low, moderate and high sexual satisfaction, respectively. Sexual satisfaction was directly related to monthly income (P&lt;0.0001) and women’s and their husbands’ education (P&lt;0.0001 and 0.006) while it was inversely related to physical illness (P=0.030), medication use (P=0.009), age (P&lt;0.0001), number of children (P=0.022), and duration of marriage (P&lt;0.0001). The median score of mental health in participants was 38 (ranging 24-53) and the percentage of participants with mental problems (79.4%) was higher than those without mental problems (20.6%). Conclusion: Mental health and sexual satisfaction in older women are directly related to each other; therefore, providing effective and appropriate sexual care programs is recommended for them.