Sexual boredom, desire patterns vary among adults in long-term relationships
23 Feb 2023
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is characterized by a persistent or recurrent deficiency of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, resulting in marked distress and interpersonal difficulties.Distinct patterns of sexual boredom and sexual desire exist among individuals in long-term monogamous relationships, reports a study. These patterns are also associated with sexual satisfaction in both men and women and with relationship satisfaction among women only.
Such findings may have relevant clinical implications, according to the investigators, who had conducted a latent profile analysis (LPA) in an online sample of 1,223 Portuguese participants (mean age 32.75 years), using indicators of sexual boredom and partner-related, attractive other-related, and solitary sexual desire to categorize participants.
Predictors and correlates of the latent profiles were explored by conducting a multinomial logistic regression analysis. Sexual boredom was assessed using the Sexual Boredom Scale and sexual desire with the Sexual Desire Inventory.
Men reported higher levels of sexual boredom and sexual desire than women. Three profiles (P) were suggested in women and two in men through LPA.
In women, P1 referred to above-average sexual boredom, below-average partner- and attractive other–related sexual desire, and very low solitary sexual desire; P2 by below-average sexual boredom, attractive other–related sexual desire, and solitary sexual desire and above-average partner-related sexual desire; and P3 by above-average sexual boredom, attractive other–related sexual desire, and solitary sexual desire and below-average partner-related sexual desire.
In men, P1 was characterized by high sexual boredom, above-average partner-related sexual desire, and high attractive other–related and solitary sexual desire and P2 by below-average sexual boredom and above-average partner-related, attractive other–related, and solitary sexual desire.
The latent profiles showed no differences with regard to relationship duration. The only consistent correlate of the latent categorization was sexual satisfaction.
“In women, above-average levels of sexual boredom were linked to below-average levels of partner-related desire, which suggests likely benefits of helping the couple to minimize or cope better with their sexual routines,” the investigators said.
“In men, participants in the two profiles did not differ in partner-related sexual desire, suggesting that clinical interventions dealing with male sexual boredom should investigate factors beyond the current relationship,” they added.