Predicting Sexual Problems in Women: The Relevance of Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition

Abstract

Data from a non-clinical sample of 540 heterosexual women were used to examine the relationships between scores on the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) and ratings of current sexual problems, lifetime arousal difficulty, lifetime orgasm difficulty, and lifetime problems with low sexual interest. Multiple regression analyses also included several demographic/background variables as predictors: age, full-time employment, completed college, children in household, married, health ratings, importance of sex, and whether the woman was in a sexual relationship. The strongest statistical predictors of both current and lifetime sexual problems were the SESII-W inhibition factors Arousal Contingency and Concerns about Sexual Function. Demographic factors did not feature largely in any of the models predicting sexual problems even when statistically significant relationships were found.If future research supports the predictive utility of the SESII-W in identifying women who are more likely to experience sexual difficulties, these scales may be used as prognostic factors in treatment studies.

The Prevalence and Correlates of Postcoital Dysphoria in Women

“…No assessment items have been established for gathering data regarding PCD, and thus future research may find variations in prevalence estimates that are attributable to differences in methodology rather than participant characteristics. Furthermore, the current study relied on convenience sampling of female college students that may reduce generalizability to the wider population (Sanders et al, 2008;Stevenson, 2002;Wiederman, 1999).…”

“…Studies examining sexual dysfunctions in general estimate that their overall prevalence may be between 14% and 34% for men and between 33% and 43% for women (Dunn, Croft, & Hackett, 1998;Johnson, Phelps, & Cottler, 2004;Laumann, Paik, & Rosen, 1999). However, the studies that derive these estimates have so far failed to identify PCD as a sexual difficulty (e.g., Bancroft, Loftus, & Long, 2003;Basson et al, 2003;Howard, O'Neill, & Travers, 2006;Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2006;Sanders, Graham, & Milhausen, 2008).…”

The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

“…Women sometimes report sexual interest preceding sexual arousal, and at other times following it (Graham et al, 2004). Other studies have reported significant correlations between sexual desire and arousal (Beck et al, 1991;Sanders, Graham, & Milhausen, 2008), and it has been suggested that sexual desire and arousal may be "two facets of the same process within the sexual response" (Beck et al, 1991, p. 454). This suggestion is consistent with the incentive motivation model.…”

Validation of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men

“…In recent years, a body of research based on the Dual Control Model has emerged, including studies using the SIS/SES and studies using the SESII-W. Research has linked propensity for sexual inhibition and sexual excitation to sexual risk-taking , the experience of sexual problems Sanders et al, 2008), sexual orientation (Bancroft, Carnes, Janssen, & Long, 2005;Sanders at el., 2008), and mood (Bancroft, Janssen, Strong, Vukadinovic, & Long, 2003;Lykins, Janssen, & Graham, 2006). The SESII-W/M includes a broad range of factors which can inhibit or enhance sexual arousal, factors which other research has shown to be relevant for both women and men (Graham et al, 2004;Janssen et al, 2008).…”