What's Sex Got to Do With It? Associations Between Sexual Intrusive Thoughts, Gender, and Metacognition

Abstract

Although sexual intrusive thoughts (SITs) are often studied in combination with other intrusions, little is known about the metacognitive processes that are specific to SITs. The present study evaluated sexual versus non-SIT frequency in relation to two main factors: gender and general negative beliefs (GNB), a component of metacognition involving beliefs about the consequences of failing to control thoughts. A nonclinical sample of 286 undergraduate students completed the Revised Obsessional Intrusions Inventory-Sex Version and the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire. Results indicated main effects for GNB and a significant interaction between gender and GNB for SITs. More specifically, frequency of SITs was significantly higher for males, as well as for participants with higher GNB. In contrast, analyses for non-SITs revealed a main effect for GNB, but no main effects for gender or a significant interaction. These findings suggest a link between high GNB and increased SIT and non-SIT frequency. Moreover, gender may function as a moderator between GNB and SIT frequency. Further characterizing the effects of gender and GNB may help in form treatments for disorders involving clinically significant SITs.