Description :
Sexual interest/arousal disorder affects between 7% and 23% of individuals in the general population. It is associated with high healthcare costs, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and lower relationship satisfaction. Previous research has focused mainly on costly and ineffective medical interventions, while etiological factors likely to enable the development of more effective treatment have been ignored. Current clinical models suggest that interpersonal processes play an essential role in sexual interest/arousal disorder, but previous studies have not examined their day-to-day or long-term impacts, and almost none have involved romantic partners.
Self-expansion (i.e., novelty and enrichment in a relationship) is a highly relevant interpersonal factor that has been associated with greater sexual desire and satisfaction among community couples. The aim of this study, conducted by the Sexual Health Laboratory at the Université de Montréal and the Couples and Sexual Health Research Laboratory at Dalhousie University, was to examine how self-expansion influences sexual desire and associated difficulties in 234 couples coping with sexual interest/arousal disorder.
Eligible couples completed separately three online surveys over 12 months and brief online daily surveys for 2 months (approximately 8-15 minutes each day).
This project is approved by the Université de Montréal’s Education and Psychology Research Ethics Board and is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
