Determinants of Women's Sexual Dissatisfaction: Assessing a Cognitive-Emotional Model.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have demonstrated the role of sexual dysfunctional beliefs, negative automatic thoughts, and emotional responses in relation to sexual functioning. Nevertheless, no studies seem to have evaluated the role of these cognitive-emotional factors in determining sexual dissatisfaction.


OBJECTIVE
To test a cognitive-emotional model of sexual dissatisfaction in women.


METHODS
In total, 207 women answered questionnaires assessing sexual dissatisfaction and cognitive and emotional variables that might affect sexual dissatisfaction.


METHODS
Sexual dissatisfaction was measured by the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, sexual beliefs were measured by the Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, and thoughts and emotional responses were measured by the Sexual Modes Questionnaire.


RESULTS
A path analysis was conducted to assess the conceptual model proposed. Results indicated that dysfunctional sexual beliefs work as predisposing factors by eliciting negative automatic thoughts and emotions, which impair the processing of erotic stimuli and interfere negatively with sexual satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding suggests a role for cognitive and emotional factors in predisposing and maintaining sexual dissatisfaction in women, suggesting relevant implications for intervention.
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia. Electronic address: manafiatefe@yahoo.com.
Atefe
A
Abdolmanafi
School of Psychology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Richard Glynn
RG
Owens
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Sam
S
Winter
Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviour, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Reza Ghorban
RG
Jahromi
Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Unit, Research Center on Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Portugal.
Maria Manuela
MM
Peixoto
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, CPUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Pedro
P
Nobre
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult
Automatic Thoughts; Emotional Responses; Sexual Beliefs; Sexual Dissatisfaction