Differentiating components of sexual well-being in women: are sexual satisfaction and sexual distress independent constructs?
BACKGROUND
Sexual satisfaction and sexual distress are common outcome measures in studies of sexual health and well-being. However, confusion remains as to if and how the two constructs are related. While many researchers have conceptualized satisfaction and distress as polar opposites, with a lack of satisfaction indicating high distress and vice versa, there is a growing movement to view satisfaction and distress as relatively independent factors and measure them accordingly.


OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess the level of independence between sexual satisfaction and distress in female clinical and nonclinical samples.


METHODS
Ninety-nine women (mean age = 25.3) undergoing treatment (traditional sex therapy and/or gingko biloba) for sexual arousal disorder with or without coexistent hypoactive sexual desire disorder and/or orgasmic disorder completed surveys assessing sexual satisfaction, sexual distress, sexual functioning, and relational functioning at pretreatment, mid-treatment, posttreatment, and follow-up. Two hundred twenty sexually healthy women (mean age = 20.25) completed similar surveys at 1-month intervals.


METHODS
Sexually dysfunctional women completed the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Sexually healthy women completed the SSS-W, the FSFI, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Dimensions of Relationship Quality Scale.


RESULTS
Sexual satisfaction and distress were generally closely and inversely related; however, distress was more closely related to sexual functioning variables than was satisfaction in the clinical sample, and satisfaction was more closely related to relational variables than was distress in the nonclinical sample. Additionally, satisfaction and distress showed partially independent patterns of change over time, and scales of distress showed a larger change in response to treatment than did scales of satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Although sexual satisfaction and distress may be closely related, these findings suggest that they are, at least, partially independent constructs. Implications for research on sexual well-being and treatment outcome studies are discussed.
Stephenson
Kyle R
KR
Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-0187, USA. krstephenson@gmail.com
Meston
Cindy M
CM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006240:Happiness; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011594:Psychometrics; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult