Lower Levels Of Sexual Desire Research Articles

(096) Attachment Orientation Moderates the Sexual and Relational Implications of Sexual Desire Discrepancies

Abstract Introduction Discrepancies in partners’ levels of sexual desire (SDD) are common in long-term relationships and can be experienced as distressing. Because sexual compatibility is a strong prescriptive among Western couples, it is relevant to examine the sexual and relational implications of SDD in relationships that are marked by cultural restrictions and gender stereotypic norms. Objective We examined discrepancies in sexual desire between partners and assessed how such discrepancy relates to sexual and relational functioning, taking into account both partners’ attachment orientation Methods 100 couples of which more than half experienced sexual problems completed an Arabic version of questionnaires on sexual desire, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction and attachment orientation. Results Men and women reported better sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and relational satisfaction when they matched on higher levels compared to lower levels of sexual desire. In case there was a mismatch between partners, women reported higher sexual satisfaction when their partner’s level of sexual desire was higher than their own desire. Attachment orientation was found to moderate the associations between the degree and direction of SDD and the outcome variables. Male attachment avoidance moderated the association between SDD and both male and female sexual function. Male attachment anxiety moderated only the association with female sexual function, indicating that women with high anxious partners reported better sexual function when their partner’s level of desire was higher than their own desire. In addition, the female attachment dimensions moderated the association between SDD and female satisfaction outcomes, with attachment anxiety moderating the association with sexual satisfaction and attachment avoidance moderating the association with relational satisfaction. Conclusions We showed the importance of considering both the level and direction of SDD and the partners’ attachment history to understand its sexual and relational implications. Therapeutic interventions should be directed at understanding the attachment meaning of sexual desire, facilitators and barriers of sexual desire across time and context, and the reasons why some couples cope better with SDD than others. Disclosure No.

Influence of Pregnancy on Sexual Desire in Pregnant Women and Their Partners: Systematic Review.

Objectives: Pregnancy is a stage in which different physical and psychological changes take place that can affect the sexuality of the couple. The aim of the study is to identify how the physical and psychological changes derived from pregnancy affect the sexual desire of women and men. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in five databases, from which a total of 16,126 documents were obtained. After applying the PRISMA selection criteria, a total of 19 documents were selected. Results: Levels of sexual desire fluctuate during pregnancy, being the second trimester of gestation the period in which desire is at its highest and in which physical limitations and emotional changes decrease. Women have lower levels of sexual desire in the first trimester, while men have the lowest levels of desire in the third trimester. Conclusion: Pregnancy is a stage marked by physiological and psychological changes that modify several areas, including sexuality. Healthcare professionals should promote a healthy sexuality, avoiding the appearance of fears or sexual dysfunctions caused by the changes that occur during pregnancy.

The associations of sexual desire, daily stress, and intimacy in gay men in long-term relationships.

We investigated the associations between daily stress, sexual desire and intimacy in gay men in long-term relationships. A daily diary method of data collection was used. Twenty-two adult participants completed brief questionnaires ten times per day during seven consecutive days. Multilevel regression analyses revealed significant negative associations of daily stress with sexual desire (p = 0.003); higher stress came with lower levels of sexual desire, and vice versa. The hypothesized moderation effect of the associations of stress with sexual desire by intimacy was found significant (p = 0.003). However, the effect was not as predicted: at higher levels of intimacy the negative effect of stress on sexual desire was shown to be stronger than at lower levels. Most temporal associations of stress and intimacy with sexual desire were not significant. Nevertheless, the present findings implicate that daily stress and intimacy are important factors in sexual functioning of gay men in long-term relationships.

Sexual Desire in the Time of COVID-19: How COVID-Related Stressors Are Associated with Sexual Desire in Romantic Relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social distancing measures have caused widespread social and economic disruptions, resulting in spikes in unemployment and financial instability, along with drastic changes to people's ability to feel socially connected. Many of the changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are risk factors for depressive symptoms, which are associated with lower levels of sexual desire. The current research (N = 4,993) examined whether responses to external stressors brought on by COVID-19 (i.e., financial concern, worry, loneliness, stress) were associated with sexual desire among a multi-national sample of people in relationships (Studies 1–2), and whether this association was, in part, due to reports of depressive symptoms (Study 2). In the period immediately following the onset of the pandemic, more financial concern (Study 1) and worry (Study 2) were associated with higher sexual desire, while other factors, like stress (Studies 1–2), were associated with lower desire. We also followed a subset of participants every two weeks during the initial stages of the pandemic and at times when people reported greater stress, loneliness, financial strain, or worry than their average, they reported greater depressive symptoms, which was, in turn, associated with lower sexual desire. Results suggest that the social isolation and stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have mixed associations with sexual desire at the onset of the pandemic. But over time, when people report heightened COVID-related stressors, they tend to report lower sexual desire for their partner, in part because these stressors are associated with more depressive symptoms.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10508-022-02365-w.

Sexual Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors From an Attachment Perspective

BackgroundDespite the fact that childhood sexual abuse can affect a survivor's sexual functioning in adulthood, few studies have examined survivors' adult sexual functioning from the perspective of attachment theory. AimThe present study sought to examine how sexual abuse in childhood might shape the associations between attachment insecurities and sexual functioning among adults. MethodsThe study sample consisted of 265 participants (166 women and 99 men), 45 (16.9%) of whom were classified as survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Participants completed an online questionnaire about their history of childhood sexual abuse, attachment insecurities, and sexual functioning over the past 6 months. OutcomesThe findings of the present study suggest that attachment insecurities may have unique implications for sexual functioning among survivors of childhood sexual abuse. ResultsFindings indicated that a history of childhood sexual abuse significantly moderated the associations between attachment insecurities and sexual functioning. Whereas the effect of attachment avoidance in predicting sexual desire was not significant among nonabused participants, it was significant among survivors; specifically, higher levels of attachment avoidance predicted lower levels of sexual desire. A different pattern was found for attachment anxiety. Although attachment anxiety did not predict vaginal lubrication/penile erection among nonabused participants, it had significant effects among survivors; specifically, higher levels of attachment anxiety predicted higher levels of vaginal lubrication/penile erection. Clinical TranslationFindings from the present study may help facilitate sex therapy interventions for childhood sexual abuse survivors, from an attachment theory perspective. Strengths & LimitationsThe study included a nonclinical, convenience sample and used self-report measures, which are highly subjective and increase the possibility of social-desirability biases. However, on the plus side, it relied on simple, short, self-report questionnaires that are accessible and can be easily used by professionals to examine a survivor's current condition relative to any of the variables, establish intervention goals, and evaluate treatment. ConclusionA history of childhood sexual abuse is related to 2 opposite patterns of association between attachment insecurity (depending on type) and sexual functioning.Gewirtz-Meydan A, Lahav Y. Sexual Functioning Among Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors From an Attachment Perspective. J Sex Med 2020;17:1370–1382.

Obesity, Anxiety, Depression and Sexual Desire: A Study on a Sample of Obese Patients

Objective: Evaluate the presence of anxiety and depression in a group of male and female patients, either overweight or obese, after a first medical examination at the dietetics dept. at Ospedale Maggiore in Novara. Evaluate sexual desire both in autoerotism and in a couple situations. Evaluate the relationship between sexual desire, anxiety and depression. Evaluate the perception patients have of their body and the presence of anger (state and trait) analyzing its main components. Design and Method: 100 patients were included in the study. The study protocol consists of: sociodemographic data, HADS, Sexual Desire Inventory, BC Scale and STAXI 2. Results: The levels of anxiety, depression and dissatisfaction on every patient’s body are elevated. There was evidence of low levels of sexual desire in the female sample and normal levels in men. There were no statistically significant associations between depression, anxiety and low sex drive. In both sexes there is a tendency to control the rage within. Men mostly express rage verbally while women express it physically. Conclusions: Proper nutrition is helpful to sexuality and mood.

Women’s Sexual Desire and Desire Disorders from a Developmental Perspective

Research on girls’ and women’s sexual desire has focused primarily on experiences of low desire, rather than positive experiences or high levels of desire. Recent conceptualizations of low desire have incorporated distress as a central feature because not all forms of low sexual desire are problematic for women. Despite a need to rely primarily on cross-sectional data, research indicates that sexual desire does not necessarily dwindle across the life course and that rates of low desire might be fairly consistent over time. A small body of work suggests that girls’ rates of problematic low desire resemble rates found among samples of women, making clear that there is a substantial minority who consistently experience distressing low levels of sexual desire. What emerges from this review is that women’s sexual desire is difficult to capture meaningfully using standardized measures and that understanding this issue depends on more nuanced approaches to assessment and analysis.

A study of possible associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor 2 gene and female sexual desire.

Female sexual desire and arousal problems have been shown to have a heritable component of moderate size. Previous molecular genetic studies on sexual desire have mainly focused on genes associated with neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that hormones with more specific functions concerning sexuality could have an impact on sexual desire and arousal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in estrogen receptor genes on female sexual desire and subjective and genital arousal (lubrication). Based on previous research, we hypothesized that ESR1 and ESR2 are relevant genes that contribute to female sexual desire and arousal. The desire, arousal, and lubrication subdomains of the Female Sexual Function Index self-report questionnaire were used. The present study involved 2,448 female twins and their sisters aged 18-49 who had submitted saliva samples for genotyping. The participants were a subset from a large-scale, population-based sample. We found nominally significant main effects on sexual desire for three ESR2 -linked SNPs when controlled for anxiety, suggesting that individuals homozygous for the G allele of the rs1271572 SNP, and the A allele of the rs4986938 and rs928554 SNPs had lower levels of sexual desire. The rs4986938 SNP also had a nominally significant effect on lubrication. No effects for any of the SNPs on subjective arousal could be detected. The number of nominally significant results for SNPs in the ESR2 gene before correcting for multiple testing suggests that further studies on the possible influence of this gene on interindividual variation in female sexual functioning are warranted. In contrast, no support for an involvement of ESR1 was obtained. Our results should be interpreted with caution until replicated in independent, large samples.

Psychosexual aspects of vulvovaginal pain

Vulvovaginal pain problems are major health concerns in women of childbearing age. Controlled studies have shown that vulvovaginal pain can adversely affect women and their partners' general psychological well-being, relationship adjustment, and overall quality of life. These women have significantly lower levels of sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction, as well as a lower intercourse frequency than normal controls. They also report more anxiety and depression, in addition to more distress about their body image and genital self-image. Empirical studies indicate that specific psychological and relationship factors may increase vulvovaginal pain intensity and its psychosexual sequelae. Randomized clinical trials have shown that psychosexual interventions, namely cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are efficacious in reducing vulvovaginal pain and improving associated psychosexual outcomes. Women reporting significant psychological, sexual, and/or relationship distress should be referred for psychosexual treatment. A multimodal approach to care integrating psychosexual and medical management is thought to be optimal.

Erectile function, sexual desire, and psychological well-being in men with epilepsy

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of anxiety, depression, and self-reported quality of life (QOL) on sexual function of men with epilepsy (MWE). Methods Sixty-nine MWE taking one antiepileptic drug and 50 controls were recruited. All completed sexual function questionnaires, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the World Health Organization Brief Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Blood was taken to analyze testosterone and dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. Results Compared with controls, MWE reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress; lower overall quality of life and health; and lower levels of sexual desire and erectile function. Seizure frequency did not affect any of these variables, and testosterone levels did not correlate with sexual desire or erectile function. Simple linear regression showed a significant negative correlation between sexual desire and indices of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Multiple linear regression using overall QOL as dependent variable showed that anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and the Psychological Well-Being subscale of the WHOQOL-BREF predicted 48% of its variability. Interestingly, sexual function and seizure status did not. Conclusion MWE reported lower levels of sexual desire and were more likely to report erectile dysfunction than controls. But the most important determinant of QOL was psychological status, not seizure frequency or sexual function.

Low Fertility in Men with Epilepsy: Unhappy, Uninterested, Unable

Sexual Function in Men with Epilepsy: How Important Is Testosterone? Talbot JA, Sheldrick R, Caswell H, Duncan S. Neurology 2008;70(16):1346–1352. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the effects on sexual function of men with epilepsy (MWE) of testosterone levels and indices of anxiety and depression. METHODS: Sixty MWE taking one antiepileptic drug only (AED), with no comedication, were compared with 60 control men. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), bioactive testosterone (BAT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Each man also completed validated questionnaires exploring sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory [SDI]), sexual response (Sexual Response Inventory [SRI]), erectile function (Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale [SSES]), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). RESULTS: MWE reported lower levels of sexual desire and lower erectile function compared with controls. They had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. MWE had significantly higher SHBG levels and significantly lower DHEAS. There were no significant differences between the groups’ TT, FT, or BAT levels. BAT levels were significantly lower in men taking enzyme-inducing AEDs than in those taking non–enzyme-inducing AEDs. Visual inspection of TT and BAT levels showed that the majority of MWE and controls had TT and BAT levels above the “androgen threshold” levels of 12 nmol/L TT or 3.8 nmol/L BAT considered necessary for normal sexual function. There was a significant correlation (Spearman rank and simple linear regression) between sexual function and indices of anxiety and depression. There was no significant relationship between SDI and SSES and TT, FT, or BAT (Spearman rank correlation). CONCLUSIONS: Concentrating on hormone levels alone as an explanation of sexual dysfunction in epilepsy represents an overly simplistic approach to the problem. Future studies should include measures of quality of life, anxiety, and depression.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH—COUPLES' SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: The Effects of Treating Male Hypogonadism on Couples’ Sexual Desire and Function

ABSTRACT Introduction Hypogonadism is a common endocrine condition characterized by low levels of testosterone (T) and marked by numerous symptoms, one of which is low sexual desire. Studies comparing T delivery systems have suggested that hypogonadal men’s partners may be at risk from exposure to T gels. Little other mention is found of the impact of hypogonadism and its treatment on a man’s partner and the couple’s sexual function. Aim To assess sexual desire and sexual function in hypogonadal men and their woman partners before and after treatment with T replacement therapy. Methods Twenty-one hypogonadal men and 18 partners were recruited from a tertiary endocrine clinic, and were compared with a control group of 20 eugonadal age-matched men and their partners. All men had baseline blood tests to confirm their status as hypogonadal or eugonadal, and hypogonadal men repeated tests at 3-month intervals. All participants completed the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) and sexual function questionnaires at baseline and at 3-month intervals until the hypogonadal men attained normal T levels. Main Outcome Measures Pre- and post-treatment SDI and sexual function questionnaires were compared once T normalization was achieved. Between- and within-group comparisons were carried out. Results Pretreatment hypogonadal men recorded lower levels of sexual desire and function than controls, but significantly improved once hypogonadism was corrected. Eugonadal controls recorded no significant changes in either sexual desire or function during the study. Partners of the hypogonadal men reported no changes on the SDI, but significant improvements in sexual function as their partners recovered. Conclusion SDI and sexual function measures reflect sexual changes that accompany rising serum T levels during correction of male hypogonadism. Women partners reported more satisfaction, less pain, and improved sexual function following the men’s treatment. Treatments affecting one partner potentially have important effects on the other.

Sexual function in men with epilepsy

To ascertain the effects on sexual function of men with epilepsy (MWE) of testosterone levels and indices of anxiety and depression. Sixty MWE taking one antiepileptic drug only (AED), with no comedication, were compared with 60 control men. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), bioactive testosterone (BAT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Each man also completed validated questionnaires exploring sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory [SDI]), sexual response (Sexual Response Inventory [SRI]), erectile function (Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale [SSES]), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). MWE reported lower levels of sexual desire and lower erectile function compared with controls. They had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. MWE had significantly higher SHBG levels and significantly lower DHEAS. There were no significant differences between the groups' TT, FT, or BAT levels. BAT levels were significantly lower in men taking enzyme-inducing AEDs than in those taking non-enzyme-inducing AEDs. Visual inspection of TT and BAT levels showed that the majority of MWE and controls had TT and BAT levels above the "androgen threshold" levels of 12 nmol/L TT or 3.8 nmol/L BAT considered necessary for normal sexual function. There was a significant correlation (Spearman rank and simple linear regression) between sexual function and indices of anxiety and depression. There was no significant relationship between SDI and SSES and TT, FT, or BAT (Spearman rank correlation). Concentrating on hormone levels alone as an explanation of sexual dysfunction in epilepsy represents an overly simplistic approach to the problem. Future studies should include measures of quality of life, anxiety, and depression.

Do Psychosexual Factors Play a Role in the Etiology of Provoked Vestibulodynia? A Critical Review

The aim of this review was to critically examine published studies concerning the psychosexual aspects of provoked vestibulodynia. Despite the presence of several methodological limitations, some findings were consistently replicated. Overall, women with vestibulodynia demonstrate impaired sexual functioning, namely, lower levels of sexual desire, arousal, and frequency of intercourse. Childhood physical and sexual abuse represent potential risk factors for the development of this condition. Additionally, specific psychological states such as anxiety, fear of pain, hypervigilance, catastrophizing, and depression, are more frequently reported by these women. More rigorous studies are needed to establish which psychosexual variables may exacerbate and/or maintain vestibulodynia.

Attention and Emotional Responses to Sexual Stimuli and Their Relationship to Sexual Desire

Little is known about why individuals vary in their levels of sexual desire. Information processing models, like Barlow's (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 54:140-148, 1986) model of sexual functioning, suggest that individuals with higher sexual desire attend more and respond with more pleasant emotions to sexual cues than individuals with lower levels of sexual desire. In this study, 69 participants (36 women, 33 men) completed a dot detection task measuring attention capture by sexual stimuli and a startle eyeblink modulation task indexing the valence of emotional response to affective stimuli. Participants with high levels of sexual desire were slower to detect targets in the dot detection task that replaced sexual images but did not differ in startle eyeblink responses to sexual stimuli. The results suggest that the amount of attention captured by sexual stimuli is a stronger predictor of a person's sexual desire level than the valence of the emotional responses elicited by such stimuli.

Appetitive Responses to Sexual Stimuli Are Attenuated in Individuals with Low Levels of Sexual Desire

Despite the high prevalence of sexual desire disorders, little is known about their biological underpinnings in humans. Animal studies suggest that dopamine is involved in appetitive sexual behavior; thus, one aim of this study was to elucidate that relationship in humans. This study used measurement of the acoustic startle response (ASR) and prepulse inhibition of the startle response (PPI) as psychophysiological indicators of changes in motivational states to assess the potential relation between sexual desire and appetitive motivation in humans. Responses to sexually provocative stimuli consisting of single nude men and single nude women in a sample of 153 participants (77 men, 76 women) were assessed. The results indicated that ASR was attenuated after exposure to appetitive stimuli (i.e., sexually provocative pictures of attractive individuals) to a greater extent among participants with higher levels of sexual desire, as measured by the Sexual Desire Inventory-2 (Spector, I. P., Carey, M. P., & Steinberg, L. (1996). Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 22, 175-190). In addition, PPI was inversely associated with subjective ratings across stimuli such that greater subjective levels of desire were correlated with lower levels of PPI. In general, these results suggest that individuals with lower levels of sexual desire may have a diminished physiological response to appetitive sexual stimuli.

Women's Sexual Concerns: Data Analysis from a Help‐Line

To report female sexual problems and concerns, as presented by women calling a help-line, and to evaluate women's help-seeking behavior regarding sexual matters. The study included all telephone calls from women who called for sexual concerns to a help-line dedicated to sexual problems during a 5-year period. During the call, the counselor addresses demographic characteristics of the caller, the sexual problem reported, their sexual function, any previous doctor contacts, coexisting physical and mental health problems, couple's relationship, and lifestyle factors that may influence sexual function. Data processing employed descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis in order to detect possible associations between categorical variables. Of a total of 3,523 calls made by women, 2,287 full forms were analyzed, reflecting a response rate of 64.9%. Most women (46.6%) called for problems encountered by their partners, 45.1% called for their own sexual problems, while 5.9% were calling for their children. Only 34.3% of them had already consulted a doctor. The most frequently reported difficulties were achieving orgasm (25.6%), reduced sexual desire (16.9%), and pain during intercourse (6.1%). Women in the 40-49 age group had the higher odds ratios for the sexual problems reported (reduced sexual desire: odds ratio [OR] 5.0; difficulties achieving orgasm: OR 6.3; pain during intercourse: OR 5.8). Both married and single women had high risk of experiencing low levels of sexual desire (40% and 30%, respectively). Women's sexual concerns are not devoted to their sexual problems, but also their partner's and children's problems. Most frequently reported sexual problems are difficulties in reaching orgasm and reduced sexual desire. However, women are reluctant to seek medical advice on their sexual concerns. There is a need for general practitioners and family doctors to become aware of the possibility of a sexual problem and to be trained on how to manage this at a primary care level.

Gynecologic cancer treatment and the impact of cancer-related infertility

Objective The objective of this study was to empirically assess the emotional and sexual impact of cancer-related infertility in women with a history of gynecologic cancer. Method Women with a history of gynecologic cancer were approached during their gynecologic oncology clinic appointment; they were provided a description of the study and asked to participate. All participants completed a one-time self-report survey. We present data acquired via the following methods: Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Impact of Events Scale (IES), Modified Inventory of Traumatic Grief (M-ITG), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Menopausal Symptom Checklist. Results The study sample consisted of 20 women, ages 27 to 49 years (mean, ∼40 years), who had undergone treatment for cervical (40%), ovarian (20%), or uterine (40%) cancer. Forty percent of the sample reported depressive symptoms as measured by the CES-D, with 35% of the women experiencing moderate to severe levels of distress as measured by the IES. The women in this sample experienced dissatisfaction with their overall sex lives (67%), pain during vaginal penetration (62%), and low levels of sexual desire (56%). Conclusions The preliminary findings of this study indicated that feelings of depression, grief, stress, and sexual dysfunction are being experienced by women with a history of gynecologic cancer who have lost their fertility as a result of their cancer treatment.

Sexual content induced delay: a reexamination investigating relation to sexual desire.

This article reports the utility of an information processing approach to examine whether there is a relationship between sexual content induced delay and levels of sexual desire as determined by self-report questionnaires. We tested this idea using a partial replication of the J. H. Geer and H. S. Bellard (1996) protocol demonstrating sexual content induced delay (SCID) in responding to sexual versus neutral words. In addition, the experiment examined whether SCID was different in people with varying levels of sexual desire. It was hypothesized that persons with low levels of sexual desire might respond more slowly to sexual word cues than others. Words with equal frequency of usage and similar word length were chosen from among those used in the Geer and Bellard study. The experiment was conducted with 171 volunteers who completed sexual desire questionnaires, lexical decision making tasks, and word ratings. The SCID effect was demonstrated by both men and women in the study with no significant variation between the sexes. In accordance with prediction, it was found that persons with lower levels of sexual desire responded more slowly to sexual stimuli than other participants, and rated sexual words as less familiar, less acceptable, and less positive emotionally to them. These findings have implications for understanding how emotional content contributes to SCID. They also suggest that further exploration of these ideas, perhaps using other stimulus modalities, may be helpful in advancing understanding of responses to sexual cues, and the potential implications that may have in better understanding sexual desire.

Schemas, sexuality, and romantic attachment.

One's self-views are powerful regulators of both cognitive processing and behavioral responding. Sexual self-schemas are cognitive generalizations about sexual aspects of the self. The bivariate sexual self-schema model, which posits independent effects of positive and negative components of women's sexual self-views, was tested. Three hundred eighteen female undergraduates completed anonymous questionnaires, including the Sexual Self-Schema Scale and assessments of sexual responses and romantic attachment patterns. Results extended knowledge of positive-negative schema group contrasts and distinguished the response patterns of the aschematic and co-schematic groups. As predicted, aschematics reported low levels of sexual desire, arousal, and anxiety, and weak romantic attachments, whereas co-schematics endorsed conflicting positive and negative responses to sexual-romantic cues. In addition, path analyses supported the bivariate model. Finally, findings are related to theories of attachment representations within the cognitive hierarchy of the self.