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Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 11006

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maria Manuela Peixoto

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Guest Editor

Center for Psychology, University Lusíada Norte, Porto, Portugal
Interests: interests sexual satisfaction; sexual functioning; sexual orientation; sex therapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy; transdiagnostic processes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sexual satisfaction has been conceptualized as the perceived contentment and satisfaction with sex life within an intimate relationship or as sexual activity alone, as well as the absence of sexual distress. Sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure are important to sexual health and are considered by the World Sexual Health Association to be a sexual right that should be promoted and improved among individuals and couples.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute scientifically and theoretically to the field of human sexuality, particularly to the field of sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure, with research aimed at a deeper understanding of the concept of sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure. Your contributions will provide clinicians, researchers, and academics with empirical evidence on the role of biopsychosocial dimensions of sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure, including physiological, medical-cognitive, affective, emotional, and motivational variables, as well as cultural, social, and contextual dimensions, to promote evidence-based assessments and interventions to promote sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure.

This Special Issue aims to provide relevant and up-to-date empirical knowledge on sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure among men and women with different sexual orientations, and to disseminate scientific information on the theoretical understanding of sexual satisfaction and the promotion of evidence-based practices for clinicians, academics, and researchers.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

Scoping reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure
Development, validation, translation and adaptation of assessment tools for sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure
Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies on sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure, and psychological and/or physiological correlates
Cross-cultural studies and/or the influence of cultural and social dimensions on sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure
Individual and dyadic approaches to sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure
Intervention projects (and outcomes) on promoting sexual satisfaction and sexual pleasure in individuals and/or couples.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Maria Manuela Peixoto
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sexual satisfaction
sexual pleasure
sexual well-being
men
women
sexual orientation
gender

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Dissatisfaction, Cognitive Distraction, and Sexual Satisfaction in a Sample of LGB+ People: A Mediation Study Framed by Cognitive Psychology Models of Sexual Response

by Andreia A. Manão and Patrícia M. Pascoal

Healthcare 2023, 11(22), 2930; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11222930 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1130

Abstract

Introduction: Body dissatisfaction is a well-established risk factor for emotional problems and low levels of well-being indicators, such as sexual health. Cognitive models propose that dissatisfaction with one’s body can cause cognitive distraction related to physical appearance during sexual activity. This may compromise sexual response, namely, sexual satisfaction in heterosexual cis women. However, this relationship has only been studied within heterosexual samples. The present study aims to test a mediation model using cognitive distraction related to body appearance during sexual activity as a mediator between body dissatisfaction and sexual satisfaction in LGB+ cis people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations). Methods: This cross-sectional online study comprised 165 cisgender LGB+ participants (n = 67 cis women, 40.6%; n = 98 cis men, 59.4%). Self-report questionnaires were used: the Global Body Dissatisfaction Scale, the Body Appearance Distraction Scale, and a Single-Item Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. Results: Cis women and cis men experience similar levels of body dissatisfaction, cognitive distraction with body appearance during sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction. Body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity mediated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and sexual satisfaction only in the men’s sample. Discussion: Overall, in terms of gender and body dissatisfaction, our results reveal a reversed pattern than those found in heterosexual samples. This may be because LGB+ cis women may conform less to societal pressure, leading to less meaning given to body dissatisfaction in relation to sexuality, which may lead to more positive sexual outcomes. Likewise, LGB+ cis men present higher body dissatisfaction and experience lower sexual satisfaction, possibly due to the emphasis on physical appearance in the gay subculture. The results confirm the validity of cognitive models of sexual response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation)

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21 pages, 360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Sexual Problems Does a Sample of LGB+ People Report Having, and How Do They Define Sexual Pleasure: A Qualitative Study to Inform Clinical Practice

by Andreia A. Manão, Edna Martins and Patrícia M. Pascoal

Healthcare 2023, 11(21), 2856; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212856 - 30 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1563

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual pleasure is a human right and a central aspect of human sexuality that contributes significantly to people’s overall well-being, making it an essential element to consider in clinical settings. This study aims to expand the understanding of sexual pleasure by examining how LGB+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations)-who perceived having a sexual problem-define solitary and partnered sexual pleasure. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory qualitative study was conducted online. The current study included 85 people who self-identified as LGB+ and reported experiencing a sexual problem. Data analysis was performed using summative content analysis. Results: The results for solitary sexual pleasure comprised the creation of 5 categories (Enhancing the relationship with oneself, Specification of solitary pleasure, Negative experience, Unrestrained experience and A goal). For partnered sexual pleasure, 9 categories were created (The perks of being with another, Openness to experience, A result of sexual techniques, Psychophysiological experience, Misconceptions about sexual pleasure, Absence of intrapersonal constraints, Undesirable feelings, Explicit consent, and Absence of interpersonal constraints). Discussion: Despite reporting sexual problems, most participants reported having experienced sexual pleasure, and were able to define it. This study provided a deeper understanding of the perspectives on and experiences of sexuality among LGB+ people who experience sexual problems. Our findings highlight that current diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5) do not seem to align with the problems reported by this sample population (the problems presented are beyond their sexual function). This reinforces the importance of viewing sexual problems from a perspective that goes beyond the categorial psychopathology model. Our study’s findings may offer valuable insights for the evaluation and treatment of sexual problems, where sexual pleasure is considered a crucial aspect of sexual well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation)

13 pages, 302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multicentric Pilot Study of Student Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs toward Sexual Healthcare

by Vicki Aaberg, Eva Moncunill-Martínez, Ana Frías, Teresa Carreira, Raquel Fernández Cezar, Alba Martín-Forero Santacruz, Fátima Frade, Daniela Mecugni and Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino

Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2238; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162238 - 9 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1110

Abstract

Nurse educators are tasked with the education of students to become providers of holistic care, and part of that care includes sexuality. Students carry attitudes and beliefs that influence their behavior; therefore, students who carry negative attitudes about sexual healthcare are less likely to provide that care. This is an international, multicenter study of nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs about the provision of sexual healthcare. The Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey, which measures attitudes toward the provision of sexual healthcare and has a range of scores from 12 to 72, was given to 129 students across Spain, Portugal, Italy and the United States and revealed negative attitudes about sexuality, with a mean SABS score of 39.95. Higher scores on the SABS reveal more negative attitudes and reduced likelihood of provision of sexual healthcare. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing queer and heterosexual students (41.69 vs. 38.06), and students in their final year of school held more negative attitudes toward the provision of sexual healthcare (41.4 vs. 39.5 and 39.2). This study shows that nurse educators continue to need to focus on the attitudes student nurses carry about sexuality. There is a critical shortage of education strategies to meet the needs of student nurses so that they will be comfortable and confident in providing sexual healthcare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation)

11 pages, 494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Satisfaction Mediates the Effects of the Quality of Dyadic Sexual Communication on the Degree of Perceived Sexual Desire Discrepancy

by Roberta Galizia, Annalisa Theodorou, Chiara Simonelli, Carlo Lai and Filippo Maria Nimbi

Healthcare 2023, 11(5), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050648 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1903

Abstract

Difficulties related to sexual desire discrepancy are among the most common complaints in people seeking help in therapy. The aims of the current study were to test a mediation model using a bootstrapping procedure where the quality of the dyadic sexual communication plays a key role in increasing or diminishing the degree of perceived sexual desire discrepancy through sexual satisfaction. An online survey was administered through social media to N = 369 participants involved in a romantic relationship, measuring the quality of dyadic sexual communication, sexual satisfaction, the degree of the perceived sexual desire discrepancy, and a series of relevant covariates. As expected, the mediation model showed that a better quality of dyadic sexual communication is related to a lower degree of perceived sexual desire discrepancy through increased sexual satisfaction (β = −0.17, SE = 0.05, [95% CI = −0.27, −0.07]). The effect held over and above the effect of the relevant covariates. The theoretical and practical implications of the present study are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation)

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Other

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13 pages, 2219 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Sexual Satisfaction among Lesbian and Heterosexual Cisgender Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Ana Macedo, Eunice Capela and Manuela Peixoto

Healthcare 2023, 11(12), 1680; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121680 - 7 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4368

Abstract

Background: Sexual satisfaction is a complex, multifaceted, and broad concept that is influenced by several factors. The minority stress theory posits that sexual and gender minorities are at a particular risk for stress due to stigma and discrimination at the structural, interpersonal, and individual levels. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate and compare the sexual satisfaction between lesbian (LW) and heterosexual (HSW) cisgender women. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Websci, Proquest, and Wiley online databases from 1 January 2013 to 10 March 2023 to identify the published observational studies on sexual satisfaction in women according to their sexual orientation. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for the analytical cross-sectional studies. Results: A total of 11 studies and 44,939 women were included. LW reported having orgasms during a sexual relationship more frequently than HSW, OR = 1.98 (95% CI 1.73, 2.27). In the same direction, the frequency of women reporting “no or rarely” for having orgasms during their sexual relationships was significantly lower in the LW than the HSW, OR = 0.55 (95% CI 0.45, 0.66). The percentage of the LW who reported having sexual intercourse at least once a week was significantly lower than that of the HSW, OR = 0.57 for LW (95% CI 0.49, 0.67). Conclusions: Our review showed that cisgender lesbian women reached orgasm during sexual relations more often than cisgender heterosexual women. These findings have implications for gender and sexual minority health and healthcare optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Pleasure across Gender and Sexual Orientation)

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