Exploring the Interplay of Sexual Motives with Sexual Distress and Vulvar Pain

Tauser, Ava (2023) Exploring the Interplay of Sexual Motives with Sexual Distress and Vulvar Pain. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

In the light of exploring correlates of sexual well-being, understanding the interplay between motivation, sexual wellbeing, and physical discomfort holds great significance. This study explored the interplay of six distinct types of motivation, partner appeasement, sexual distress, and vulvar pain. Self-determination theory differentiates autonomous (intrinsic, integrated, and identified) and controlled (introjected, extrinsic, and amotivation) motives. In past research autonomous motives related to higher outcomes for sexual wellbeing than controlled motives. Further, the avoidance-approach framework categorises partner appeasement as an avoidant motive, often with negative implications for sexual health. Female university students (n = 191) were recruited to fill in a composition of questionnaires regarding their sexual motivation, sexual distress, and vulvar pain. Results indicated extrinsic, introjected and intrinsic motives as most relevant in explaining sexual distress. All autonomous motives, except identified motivation, associated negatively with vulvar pain, while all controlled motives associated positively to vulvar pain. Partner appeasement correlated to sexual distress and vulvar pain. Lastly, results of one post hoc analysis indicated that integrated motivation moderated the effect of partner appeasement on vulvar pain. While of correlational nature, these results may have helped to pave ways for the possibility that reducing the impact of gender roles (partner appeasement), and externally motivated behaviours, and instead enhancement of intrinsic (pleasure) and integrated (meaning) motives could be beneficial for improving vulvar pain and sexual distress. Keywords: Self-determination, sexual motives, partner appeasement, sexual distress, vulvar pain

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Oesterling, C.F.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2023 12:21
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2023 12:21
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2910

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