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Attitudinal and experiential correlates of anorgasmia
M P Kelly1, D S Strassberg, J R Kircher
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Anorgasmic women reported more negative sexual attitudes, greater sex guilt, and more endorsement of sex myths compared to orgasmic women. However, arousal levels during sexual activity viewing did not differ between groups.
Area of Science:
- Sexuality research
- Clinical psychology
- Human sexual response
Background:
- Understanding factors contributing to anorgasmia is crucial for sexual health.
- Previous research suggests psychological factors play a role in female sexual dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sexual attitudes, knowledge, guilt, and arousal patterns between orgasmic and anorgasmic women.
- To investigate the relationship between specific sexual behaviors and sexual response.
Main Methods:
- Continuous self-report measures of sexual arousal were collected from 24 orgasmic and 10 anorgasmic women (ages 21-40).
- Participants viewed explicit videotape segments and completed questionnaires on sexual attitudes, knowledge, and guilt.
Main Results:
- Anorgasmic women reported greater discomfort with communication about clitoral stimulation, more negative attitudes toward masturbation, higher endorsement of sex myths, and greater sex guilt.
- No significant differences were found in the frequency of sexual activity use or arousal levels during video viewing between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Psychological factors such as negative sexual attitudes, sex myths, and guilt appear more influential in differentiating anorgasmic from orgasmic women than physiological arousal to visual stimuli.
- Findings suggest a need for interventions addressing sexual attitudes and communication in the treatment of anorgasmia.