Orgasm consistency training in the treatment of women reporting hypoactive sexual desire: an outcome comparison of women-only groups and couples-only groups.

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and maintenance of two group interventions using orgasm consistency training in the treatment of female hypoactive sexual desire, 57 women were randomly assigned to a women-only group, a couples-only group, or a waiting list control group. Controlling for social desirability, subjects were assessed on six variables: sexual compatibility, sexual esteem, sexual desire, sexual fantasy, sexual assertiveness, and sexual satisfaction. Independent assessments were made on these variables before treatment, after treatment, and at 6 months follow-up. Although the treatment was found to be generally effective in women reporting hypoactive sexual desire, a consistent pattern of change favoring the couples-only group was evident on all measures. Possible explanations for the superiority of couples-only interventions are explored in the discussion.

Female sexual desire, response, and behavior.

This study explores sexual desire, response, and behavior in satisfied versus dissatisfied marriages as perceived by women, while controlling for female sexual satisfaction. Seventy-eight married couples participated in a structured interview and a series of open-ended interviews designed to gather behavioral self-report sexual data. The study had three objectives. First, the association between sexual desire and frequency of sex for both husbands and wives was examined. Second, a typology for female sexual response was developed based on the wives' self-report description of their sexual activities. Five types of sexual responses were identified in these sexual activities through cluster analysis; there were significant differences in how the wives responded to sex between groups. Third, sexual behaviors experienced during the reported sexual activities were assessed in open-ended interviews. Significant differences were found between the groups of marriages in sexual activities. These differences in sexual behavior with women in satisfied and dissatisfied marriages are explored.

Sexual compatibility and the sexual desire-motivation relation in females with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Fifty-four female participants with hypoactive sexual desire disorder supplied daily reports of their sexual desire and motivation. The relation between desire and motivation remained statistically significant when controlling for sexual compatibility, sexual stress, sexual fantasy, and marital and sexual satisfaction. Findings suggest that (a) women higher in sexual compatibility experience greater sexual motivation regardless of their marital and sexual satisfaction, their sexual desire intensity, and depressive symptomatology; and (b) the relation between sexual compatibility and sexual desire is mediated by the propensity of those women high in sexual compatibility to have greater marital and sexual satisfaction. Within-subject analyses that controlled for autocorrelation and linear trends in the time series revealed that 40% of the women experienced significantly higher sexual motivation on greater sexual desire days. A discussion of these findings and evidence for the addition of sexual motivation as a distinct phase in the human sexual response cycle are explored.

Etiological characteristics of abusive husbands.

This study compared abusive husbands with nonabusive, marital discordant husbands using six measures to ascertain certain etiological characteristics of abusers. Both groups completed the Jenkins Activity Survey for measuring type A behavior, the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, the Index of Self-Esteem, the Spence-Helmrich Attitudes Toward Women Scale, the Index of Marital Satisfaction, and a simple rating scale to access their perceptions of their wives' physical attractiveness. As predicted, abusers evidence significantly higher type A behaviors, higher problem drinking behaviors, more rigid attitudes toward women, lower marital satisfaction, and rated their wives as less attractive than did nonabusers. Inconsistent with the literature, however, no significant differences were discovered between the self-esteem of abusers and nonabusers.

The malevolent personality disorder?

The identification of any new psychopathology or syndrome has been based on numerous clinical enquiries and theoretical discussions and has assumed an important place in the literature of psychology and psychiatry. Using two case descriptions and the subject described in a recent book, this report presents a theoretical discussion of an unusual personality organization, referred to as the malevolent personality disorder. Differential diagnosis, theorizing about pathogenesis, clarification of salient psychodynamics, and treatment considerations are explored.

A comparative study using orgasm consistency training in the treatment of women reporting hypoactive sexual desire.

In an experimental study, a standard group intervention for treating women with hypoactive sexual desire was compared to a standard group intervention plus orgasm consistency training. Specificity of sexual change following treatment was assessed in 39 women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder who completed either treatment. Following treatment, women in both groups reported significantly positive sexual changes on two of the four measures of sexual behavior. Compared with the women receiving only standard treatment, the women who also received orgasm consistency training reported greater sexual arousal and sexual assertiveness at posttreatment and at three-month and six-month follow-up evaluations and greater sexual satisfaction at the six-month follow-up. Implications for these findings, study limitations, and future research directions are explored.

Factors influencing a woman's decision to end an extramarital sexual relationship.

While the role of individual characteristics has been examined for extramarital sexual involvement, the literature has yet to document personal factors associated with the termination of an affair. In doing so, this study examines the impact of a woman's sex role attributes ("masculinity") and attitudes toward sex (erotophobia-erotophilia) on her decision to terminate an extramarital affair. Masculinity was not related to affair length. The more positive a woman's attitude toward sex, the longer she continued the extramarital relationship. A further descriptive analysis suggests that this relationship may hold only for women in sexual affairs. The implications of these findings, methodological advances, and limitations of this study are discussed. Finally, recommendations for future research are explored.

The role of assertiveness in female sexuality: a comparative study between sexually assertive and sexually nonassertive women.

To examine the role of assertiveness in female sexuality, a nonclinical population of married women (ages 18-31 years) were stratified as above or below the median score (73) on sexual assertiveness, as measured by the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness (HISA), and matched accordingly for demographics, resulting in two samples: sexually assertive and sexually nonassertive, each group consisting of 50 women. Comparative assessments were made between the two matched samples on frequency of sexual activity, number of orgasms, subjective sexual desire, and both marital and sexual satisfaction. The t-test was used to test the equality of means between samples. Pearson's r was used for correlational data. ANOVA methods were employed to examine race, religion, and employment status. Using t-test, significant differences between the two groups appeared on all five measures. Sexually assertive women reported higher frequencies of sexual activity and orgasms, rated themselves as having greater subjective sexual desire, and reported greater marital and sexual satisfaction.

The sexual attitudes, behavior, and relationships of women with histrionic personality disorder.

To examine the sexual attitudes, behaviors, and intimate relationships of individuals with histrionic personality disorder, this study compared a sample of women with histrionic personality disorders to an adequately matched sample of women without personality disorders (aged 24-31 years) using various measures. As compared to the control group, women with histrionic personality were found to have significantly lower sexual assertiveness, greater erotophobic attitudes toward sex, lower self-esteem, and greater marital dissatisfaction. Women in the histrionic group were also found to evidence significantly greater sexual preoccupation, lower sexual desire, more sexual boredom, greater orgasmic dysfunction, and were more likely to enter into an extramarital affair than their counterparts. Despite these findings, a higher sexual esteem was noted among the histrionic group. This pattern of sexual behavior noted among histrionic women appears consistent with those behaviors exhibited in sexual narcissism. These findings and treatment considerations are explored.

Sexual narcissism and the abusive male.

This study compared abusive husbands with nonabusive, marital discordant husbands using seven measures to ascertain certain sexual characteristics of abusers. Both samples were then matched and completed the Relationship Closeness Inventory, the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness, the Sexual Opinion Survey to assess the extent of negative (erotophobic) to positive (erotophilic) attitudes toward sex; the Sexuality Scale for its measures of sexual-esteem, sexual-preoccupation, and sexual depression; and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction. As predicted, abusive husbands evidenced significantly lower relationship closeness, sexual assertiveness, and sexual satisfaction in their marriages than did nonabusive husbands. Also, physically abusive men demonstrated more negative (erotophobic) attitudes toward sex and greater sexual preoccupation than did the nonabusers. Inconsistent with our predictions, however, abusive husbands evidenced significantly greater sexual esteem. An egocentric pattern of sexual behavior appeared in the marital relationships of abusive husbands. This pattern, referred to as "sexual narcissism," is discussed.

The female sensation seeker and marital sexuality.

To examine the role of sensation seeking in female sexuality, the Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale was administered to a nonclinical population of married women. Comparative assessments were made between two matched samples of high and low sensation seekers on frequency of sexual intercourse, marital satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual arousal, sexual assertiveness, sexual attitudes, and sexual satisfaction. Although the high sensation seekers demonstrated significantly greater sexual desire, sexual arousability, and a more positive attitude toward sex, there were surprisingly no differences between the groups on frequency of sexual intercourse and sexual assertiveness. Also, the women classed as low sensation seekers reported greater marital and sexual satisfaction.

Female sexuality: a comparative study between women in homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

To explore female sexuality, a student population of women (ages 23-35 years) in intimate relationships were stratified and matched for demographics into two samples, homosexual and heterosexual, each group consisting of 34 women. Significant differences emerged between the two groups on seven of the nine variables. The homosexual women in this study demonstrated greater interpersonal dependency, compatibility, and intimacy in their intimate relationships. The heterosexual women evidenced more positive dispositions toward sexual fantasy, greater sexual assertiveness, stronger sexual desire, and higher frequencies of sexual activity. Despite these findings, there were no significant differences between the two groups in sexual satisfaction.

The coital alignment technique and directed masturbation: a comparative study on female orgasm.

To evaluate the effectiveness of two sexual therapy techniques, a non-clinical population of 36 married women were randomly assigned with their spouses to either a sexual enrichment workshop with instruction on the coital alignment technique (19 women) or directed masturbation (17 women). Both workshops yielded clinically significant improvements in orgasm consistency during sexual intercourse, orgasm strength, and the overall number of orgasms experienced in partner-related activities. In instances where differences in the workshop were discovered (increases in orgasm consistency during sexual intercourse), the coital alignment technique yielded a somewhat more positive outcome than did directed masturbation. Treatment approaches that combine the two techniques, such as orgasm consistency training, may prove more beneficial than a treatment model that depends on either one or the other.

Neglected subjects in sex research: a survey of sexologists.

This study surveyed registered diplomates of the American Board of Sexology on neglected areas in sex research. Three rounds of questionnaires were completed by the diplomates as they identified and narrowed the most neglected sexual research questions. Results indicate that among three of the four specialty groups, marital sexual behavior was ranked as the most neglected sex research subject in the literature. In reviewing the individual research questions under each subject, more outcome studies on the treatment of various sexual disorders and dysfunctions were identified and ranked consistently higher than any questions under another subject area. The single exception was among sex educators, where individual research questions concerning sex education received the highest priority. These findings may suggest the need for new directions in sex research.

Key variables to understanding female sexual satisfaction: an examination of women in nondistressed marriages.

Using a step-wise multiple regression analysis, this study examined the role, in nondistressed marriages, of such sexual variables as frequency of sexual activity, number of orgasms, sexual desire, and sexual excitability in the prediction of female sexual satisfaction as compared to the role of such personality and relationship variables as sexual assertiveness, sexual attitudes (erotophobia-erotophilia), and relationship closeness. The findings suggest that individual and relationship variables (sexual assertiveness, erotophilia, and relationship closeness) aid in the prediction of female sexual satisfaction over and above what can be learned from knowing about the frequency of sexual activity, the number of orgasms a woman has, her level of sexual excitability, and how much she desired the sexual activity. Findings, methodological advances in the use of sex diaries, and limitations of the study are explored.

An empirical examination into the sexuality of women with borderline personality disorder.

In the last decade, a great deal of research has been accomplished in the study of borderline personality, but the literature is yet to systematically examine the intimate relationships of individuals with this particular personality disorder. In doing so, this study compared a sample of female borderlines with an adequately matched sample of non-personality disorders (aged 23-33 years) using the following measures: the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Assertiveness, the Sexual Opinion Survey, the Sexuality Scale, and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction. In the borderline sample, about 50% of the women reported a childhood history of physical or sexual abuse, as compared to about 15% in the control group. Also, borderline women were found to have significantly higher sexual assertiveness, greater erotophilic attitudes, and higher sexual esteem. Despite these findings, the borderline group evidenced significantly greater sexual preoccupation, sexual depression, and sexual dissatisfaction. Implications for these findings and treatment issues are discussed.

Frequency and timing of coital orgasm in women desirous of becoming pregnant.

Generally, no functional role, except pleasure, is assigned to a women's coital orgasm. Recently, however, researchers have suggested that women can regulate the number of sperm accepted or rejected by manipulation coital orgasm timing. Baker and Bellis (1995) demonstrated that women retain more sperm if coital orgasm occurs after, rather than before male ejaculation. The present study investigated (i) factors associated with coital orgasm frequency and (ii) whether women desirous of becoming pregnant report more coital orgasms after than before their partners. Sixty-nine women rated their desire for pregnancy and answered questions about their sexual behaviors, coital orgasm frequency, and coital orgasm timing in relation to their partners. In regression analysis, coital orgasm frequency was predicted by foreplay duration, masturbation frequency, and active sexual participation; desire for pregnancy did not predict coital orgasm frequency. Desire for pregnancy was predicted by age (negatively), active sexual participation (positively), and positively by orgasm after partner ejaculation. Consistent with the Baker and Bellis hypothesis, frequency of orgasm after partner's orgasm remained a significant predictor for desire for pregnancy after controlling for degree of marital happiness, sexual foreplay duration, and coital orgasm frequency.

Sexual narcissism: a validation study.

Sexual narcissism, an egocentric pattern of sexual behavior, has recently been described in the literature and has been discovered to be associated with cluster B type personality disorders. Although the research seems to have validated sexual narcissism as a characteristic of borderline and histrionic personality disorders, it is yet to be tested with narcissistic personalities. In an effort to further explore this relationship as well as the validity of sexual narcissism, this study systematically compared a sample (ages 24-33 years) of males with narcissistic personality disorder with an adequately matched sample of males without personality disorders. As compared to the control group, narcissistic men were found to have significantly lower self-esteem, more negative attitudes toward sex, greater egocentric patterns of sexual behavior, more conservative or traditional gender-role orientation, and greater sexual preoccupation. Despite these findings, there were no significant differences between the groups on sexual depression and the narcissistic men evidenced significantly higher sexual esteem. Implications for these findings are discussed.