A qualitative exploration of the distress experienced by long-term heterosexual couples when women have low sexual desire. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frost, Rebecca; Donovan, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Sexual and relationship therapy. Volume 36:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Sexual desire -- qualitative research -- sexual distress -- relationships; Sex therapy -- Periodicals; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.6906
• DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2018.1549360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-1994

Abstract

Abstract: Despite growing research interest investigating sexual desire disorders, little is known or understood about the impact on individuals, their partners, and their relationship functioning. The objective of the current study was to explore and describe the nature and types of distress, as well as the consequences of, low sexual desire for women and their higher desire partners. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaire measures were conducted with 26 participants (13 couples) between the ages of 18 and 47 years (average age 31.8 years) in long-term heterosexual relationships (average duration 8 years 10 months). Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts suggested 29 conceptually distinct forms of distress and consequence described by participants. The findings from this study indicate that the distress resulting from low sexual desire is complex and multi-faceted, with important research and clinical implications. Of particular interest was the finding that the qualitative nature of the individual and relationship distress experienced by both men and women is strikingly similar.