Relationship satisfaction and sexual functioning in men and women: The mediating role of automatic thoughts

Abstract

Introduction: Empirical studies that directly explored the association between dysfunctional relationship patterns and sexual dysfunction are not conclusive, pointing to direct and indirect relations between these two variables (Metz & Epstein, 2002). The overall objective of this study is to examine the mediating role of negative automatic thoughts during sexual interaction in the relationship between dyadic adjustment and sexual functioning in men and women. We hypothesized that, in women, the best mediators of the relationship between dyadic adjustment and sexual functioning would be: thoughts of sexual abuse, failure and disengagement, partner's lack of affection, and low self body image thoughts. In men we expect that the best mediators would be: erection concern thoughts and failure anticipation/ catastrophyzing thoughts. Methods: The sample consists of a total of 400 individuals (200 men and 200 women) from the general population, with ages over 18, who are in a committed relationship for at least 6 months. Participants answered to the Medical History Form (MHF; Wincze & Carey, 2001), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI; Derogatis & Spencer, 1982), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, Ward, Mendelson, Mock, & Erbaugh, 1961), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS; Spanier, 1976), the subscale of automatic thoughts of the Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ; Nobre & Pinto-Gouveia, 2003), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF; Rosen et al., 1997) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; Rosen et al., 2000). Results: Preliminary results regarding cognitive mediators of the relationship between dyadic adjustment and sexual functioning will be presented.