The relationship between worry, sexual aversion, and low sexual desire

Abstract

The psychological trait of worry is associated with many psychiatric conditions and maladaptive ways of coping, but is relationship to sexual dysfunctions, and desire disorders in particular, is unclear. In this study, we assessed the relationship between worry, sexual aversion, and low sexual desire using the Sexual Aversion Scale, the Hurlbert Index of Low Sexual Desire, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Data were collected from 138 college undergraduates. As expected, results showed a modest but significant relationship between sexual aversion and low sexual desire, which is consistent with the taxonomy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), which lists sexual aversion disorder and hypoactive sexual desire disorder as separate but related conditions. Contrary to our prediction, however, the tendency to worry was no more related to sexual aversion than it was to low sexual desire. The relationship between these variables was significant, but it was also relatively weak. We conclude that chronic and intense worry may predispose one to certain anxiety disorders, but it does not appear to be a risk factor for sexual desire problems in nonclinical populations.

Avoidant and compulsive sexual behaviors in male and female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

“…This subscale demonstrated good psychometric qualities in previous studies (e.g., Cronbach's alpha of .87 in La Rocque & Cioe, 2011). Past studies also suggested satisfactory construct validity, indicating for example that sexual avoidance, worry and low sexual desire were separate but related constructs (Katz & Jardine, 1999). Finally, test-retest reliability over a one-month period was high (r = .90; Katz et al, 1989).…”

Liquid Courage: Alcohol Fosters Risky Sexual Decision-Making in Individuals with Sexual Fears

“…Katz, Gipson, and Turner (1992) reported that overall scores on the SAS were significantly correlated with trait anxiety and marginally correlated with state anxiety as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970) and were significantly associated with the number and intensity of fears measured on the Fear Survey Schedule (Geer, 1965). Katz and Jardine (1999) found that overall scores on the SAS were modestly but significantly correlated with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Meyer, Miller, Metzger, & Borkovec, 1990). Katz et al (1989) reported a full scale coefficient alpha of .85 and 4-week test-retest reliability of .86.…”

Emotions During Sexual Activity: Differences Between Sexually Functional and Dysfunctional Men and Women

“…Yates, Barbaree, and Marshall (1984) examined the relation between anger and deviant sexual arousal and showed that this emotion might facilitate sexual arousal, whereas Bozman and Beck (1991) reported that anger decreased both desire and arousal. Katz and Jardine (1999) tested the relationship between worry as a trait of personality and sexual desire and aversion in a group of male and female students. Results indicated statistically significant correlations (although weak) between a predisposition to worry and sexual aversive behaviors and low sexual desire.…”