Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation, and Female Sexual Pain: A Comparative Exploratory Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Sexual pain is a multideterminate phenomenon, resulting from the interplay between biopsychosocial dimensions. Research suggests that self-compassion plays a protective role on mental health through the enablement of adaptive emotion regulation strategies and that they both contribute to ease chronic pain experience. However, little is known about the role played by self-compassion and emotion regulation on female sexual pain. Aim The study aims to identify differences between women with self-reported sexual pain, women with other self-reported sexual dysfunctions, and women without sexual complaints regarding self-compassion and emotion regulation. Methods A total of 220 women (Mage = 27.73 years, SD = 8.46) were divided into 3 groups based on their clinical condition – 53 women with self-reported sexual pain, 30 women with other self-reported sexual dysfunctions, and 137 women without sexual complaints – completed measures of sexual functioning (Female Sexual Function Index), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale), and difficulties in emotion regulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale). Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) with post hoc analyses were performed. Main Outcome Measure The main outcome measures were self-compassion, measured on a 5-point Likert scale using 26-item questionnaire, and difficulties in emotion regulation, assessed on a 5-point Likert scale using a 36-item questionnaire. Results Findings indicated that women with self-reported sexual dysfunction and particularly women with self-reported sexual pain report lower self-compassion (P values ranging between .001 and .044) and more difficulties in emotion regulation (P values ranging between .003 and .023) than women without sexual problems. Clinical Implications Findings highlight the association between lower levels of self-compassion and more difficulties in emotion regulation with self-reported sexual complaints, particularly with genito-pelvic pain–related sexual complaints. Strength & Limitations This is the first study to address differences between groups with different self-reported sexual dysfunctions regarding self-compassion and emotion regulation. Findings suggest that women with self-reported sexual dysfunction, particularly female sexual pain, report decreased levels of self-compassion and emotion regulation. The absence of equity on sample dimension and the correlational nature of the study are limitations to be considered. Conclusion Results indicated that self-compassion and emotion regulation are associated with sexual complaints, and particularly genito-pelvic pain complaints, suggesting the importance of conducting further investigation to address their potential positive outcomes in clinical intervention.

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“…However, a 25% of cases can be asymptomatic which may be related to different factors with no clear or consistent patterns found [35]. Chronic pelvic pain may also be related to psychological dysfunction, anxiety and depression, decreased levels of self-compassion and emotional regulation, a history of sexual abuse, previous surgery, and urinary or digestive alterations [36][37][38].…”

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“…This may be due to the self-compassion scale used in this study as it conceptualised and measured compassion related to general mental health difficulties rather than compassion focussed on sexual problems. More recently, Vasconcelos et al (2020) found that cis women with sexual pain or sexual problems reported lower self-compassion and more difficulties with emotional regulation compared to women without these problems.…”

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“…Moreover, lower levels of psychological distress (i.e., depression and anxiety) and greater intimate relationship satisfaction in women with sexual pain and their male partners were associated with self-compassion [ 32 ]. Women with sexual pain were also more likely to report lower levels of self-compassion [ 34 ].…”