Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
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Sexual script flexibility and sexual well-being in long-term couples: a dyadic longitudinal study
Katrina N Bouchard1, Marcus Cormier2, Jackie S Huberman2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
|June 6, 2023
Summary
Couples with flexible sexual scripts report higher sexual satisfaction and desire. Adapting rigid sexual scripts may improve sexual well-being for partners facing challenges.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Relationship Science
- Sexual Health
Background:
- Long-term relationships commonly encounter sexual challenges impacting intimacy.
- Rigid sexual scripts, such as requiring penile-vaginal intercourse, can hinder adaptation to sexual difficulties.
- This can negatively affect individual and partner sexual well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sexual script flexibility and sexual well-being in couples.
- To examine if greater flexibility in sexual scripts correlates with improved dyadic sexual desire, satisfaction, and reduced distress.
Main Methods:
- A dyadic longitudinal study involving 74 couples over 4 months.
- Participants completed online surveys assessing sexual script flexibility and sexual well-being.
- Multilevel modeling using the actor-partner interdependence model analyzed dyadic data.
Main Results:
- Greater sexual script flexibility was cross-sectionally linked to higher sexual satisfaction for both partners.
- Individuals with more flexible scripts reported higher personal sexual desire and lower sexual distress.
- Unexpectedly, increased flexibility was associated with lower dyadic sexual desire in some instances.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence suggests cross-sectional links between sexual script flexibility and enhanced sexual well-being in couples.
- Promoting sexual script flexibility may aid couples in navigating sexual challenges.
- Further research is needed to clarify the complex relationship with dyadic sexual desire.
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