Different Ways to Get There: Evidence of a Variable Female Sexual Response Cycle

Leavitt, Chelom E.; Leonhardt, Nathan D.; Busby, Dean M.

doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1616278

Cited by 36 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…We observed significant variability both in terms of observed sexual function at 3 months postpartum, as well as the degree of improvement over time. This heterogeneity is important for conceptualizing first-time mothers’ postpartum sexual function specifically, and adds to a growing body of research demonstrating variability in women’s sexual response and sexual functioning (Leavitt, Leonhardt, & Busby, 2019). Even though sexual function declines postpartum relative to prepregnancy (McBride & Kwee, 2017), half of the women in our sample were not experiencing clinically significant problems at 3 months and their sexual function improved significantly over time remaining above the clinical cut-off.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biopsychosocial predictors of trajectories of postpartum sexual function in first-time mothers.

et al. 2020

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The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for sexual health, yet the relationship between biopsychosocial factors and sexual function over time remains unclear. Our aim was to identify trajectories of postpartum sexual function in first-time mothers (N ϭ 646) and examine associations with biopsychosocial factors. Methods: Biopsychosocial factors were assessed at delivery and 3 months postpartum. Sexual function was assessed during pregnancy, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum using the Female Sexual Function Index. Latent class growth analysis was conducted to identify distinct sexual function trajectories. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations between biopsychosocial factors and membership in the trajectories. Results: Three trajectories were identified: 52% of women reported minimal sexual function problems at 3 months postpartum and improved the least over time, 35% of women reported moderate sexual function problems at 3 months and improved the most over time, and 13% of women reported marked sexual function problems at 3 months and improved somewhat over time. Biomedical factors were not significantly related to trajectory membership. Higher sexual distress at 3 months postpartum was associated with increased odds of being in the moderate and marked sexual function problems subgroups, whereas higher sexual function in pregnancy was associated with decreased odds of being in these subgroups. Lower depressive symptoms and higher relationship satisfaction was associated with reduced odds of being in the marked problems subgroup. Conclusions: Improvement in sexual function postpartum is heterogeneous. Psychosocial, but not biomedical factors were significantly associated with the trajectories. This information may be integrated into psychoeducation, and for informing earlier assessment and intervention practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biopsychosocial predictors of trajectories of postpartum sexual function in first-time mothers.

et al. 2020

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“…As such, mindfulness has been a consistent part of the treatment literature for reducing performance anxiety associated with premature ejaculation and erectile disorders (Althof 2014; Rosen et al, 2014), and arousal and orgasmic difficulties including those associated with previous sexual abuse (Brotto & Luria, 2014; Graham, 2014; Rellin, 2014). Additionally, research on sexual mindfulness has demonstrated its importance in the normal sexual arousal process for both women and men (Leavitt, Lefkowitz et al, 2019; Leavitt, Leonhardt et al, 2019). These areas of sexuality are about physical performance issues and hint at the possibility that mindfulness may be an important element of physical performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sexual wholeness model: An initial evaluation with two samples

Busby

Hanna‐Walker

Leavitt

et al. 2021

J Marital Family Therapy

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Based upon the psychological needs delimited in self‐determination theory, we created the sexual wholeness model to encapsulate the different dimensions (physical, emotional, and meaning) that create couple sexuality. We evaluated the model with data from two national samples (Sample 1, n = 610; Sample 2, n = 884), by examining the association between sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction, and attachment with the different elements of the sexual wholeness model using harmonious sexual passion as an intermediate variable. The emotional dimension had the strongest associations in both samples with harmonious sexual passion and all other outcomes except attachment. The physical dimension of sexuality had a surprisingly strong association with attachment and sexual satisfaction. In addition, couples' self‐evaluation of the degree of sexual wholeness in their relationship was strongly associated with harmonious passion and all other outcomes, providing another level of validity to the dimensions of the model and the potential utility for using this model to assist in couple therapy.

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“…A possible reason for this is related to the "work" that is put into sexual relationships. When compared to men, women can take a longer time to feel high levels of sexual arousal and desire Leavitt et al, 2019), possibly indicating that sex takes more work for them. This "work" could translate into sexual destiny and growth beliefs.…”

Section: Sexual Destiny and Growth Beliefs And Obsessive And Inhibited Sexual Passionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although sexual passion is a relatively novel construct, the different types of sexual passion have been observed to be associated with important behaviors and outcomes, such as varying levels of engagement in numerous sexual activities (e.g., sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, etc. ), distinct sexual and relational outcomes (e.g., couple adjustment, sexual satisfaction, extradyadic sex; Busby, Leonhardt, & James, 2020; Philippe et al, 2019), and even differing sexual arousal patterns in women (Leavitt et al, 2019) and men (Busby, Leonhardt, Leavitt, & Hanna‐Walker, 2020). In almost all cases, harmonious sexual passion has been associated with healthier outcomes and behavior (Busby et al, 2019; Busby, Leonhardt, & James, 2020; Philippe et al, 2019), whereas obsessive and inhibited sexual passion have been associated with less healthy outcomes and behavior (Busby et al, 2019; Busby, Leonhardt, & James, 2020; Busby, Leonhardt, Leavitt, & Hanna‐Walker, 2020; Leavitt et al, 2019; Philippe et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs about sexuality and their associations with sexual passion

Hanna‐Walker

Busby

2021

Personal Relationships

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Beliefs that individuals bring into their relationships about sexuality can influence sexual passion. In the first study to comprehensively analyze this association, we assessed how sexual destiny and growth beliefs and sexual sanctification influenced harmonious, obsessive, and inhibited passion. Data were collected from a national sample of couples (N = 482 dyads). Utilizing actor/partner interdependence model, we found that men and women's sexual growth beliefs and sexual sanctification predicted their own and their partner's harmonious sexual passion. Men and women's sexual sanctification had a strong association with their own levels of obsessive passion. Sexual destiny beliefs of men and women predicted their own levels of obsessive passion.

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Different Ways to Get There: Evidence of a Variable Female Sexual Response Cycle

Cited by 36 publications

References 63 publications

Biopsychosocial predictors of trajectories of postpartum sexual function in first-time mothers.

Biopsychosocial predictors of trajectories of postpartum sexual function in first-time mothers.

The sexual wholeness model: An initial evaluation with two samples

Beliefs about sexuality and their associations with sexual passion

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