Mindfulness and daily sexual function: a dyadic diary study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sexuality Studies
• Relationship Science

Background:

• Sexual difficulties are prevalent and impact psychological and relationship well-being.
• Sexual mindfulness, defined as non-judgmental present-moment awareness during sexual activity, shows promise in cross-sectional studies.
• Longitudinal, daily-life associations between sexual mindfulness and sexual function within couples remain under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether baseline levels of sexual mindfulness predict an individual's and their partner's daily sexual function.
• To examine the dyadic impact of sexual mindfulness on sexual function over time.

Main Methods:

• A dyadic daily diary study design was employed.
• 141 couples completed a baseline measure of sexual mindfulness.
• Participants reported on their daily sexual function for 28 days on days of sexual activity.

Main Results:

• Higher baseline sexual mindfulness was significantly associated with higher daily sexual function for the individual.
• No significant association was found between an individual's baseline sexual mindfulness and their partner's daily sexual function.
• The Monash Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to assess daily sexual function.

Conclusions:

• Sexual mindfulness may enhance an individual's daily sexual function by promoting present-moment awareness during sexual encounters.
• The effects of sexual mindfulness on sexual function appear to be primarily individual rather than dyadic.
• Findings support the integration of mindfulness-based interventions into sex therapy to improve individual sexual function.