ScienceDaily — Scientists of the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment of the University of Granada have released a new study. Researcher Juan Carlos Sierra Freire studied how some psychological variables such as
* positive attitude towards sexuality
* sexual fantasies
* anxiety
are related to sexual desire in human beings.
The Study
Using the Sexual Desire Inventory, 608 subjects aged 13 to 43 were studied. Researchers found that 32% of inhibited sexual desire in men was associated with a negative attitude toward sexuality, as well as some sexual fantasies. Eighteen percent of such inhibited sexual desire in women was due to increased anxiety and decreased sexual fantasizing. According to researchers, these figures show that psychological factors, which have a role in sexual response, depend on gender.
The Power of Imagination
The results of this research reveal
an important relation between sexual desire and positive attitude toward sexuality in men. Men responded more positively towards sexual stimuli and thoughts, and they accepted them more easily. The male population has an attitude that, together with sexual fantasies, heightens sexual drive.
In turn, women also share the imagination at play. The more sexual fantasies they have, the more sexual desire they experience. However, “women normally present more anxiety disorders than men” regarding transitory emotional stages such as anxiety, because anxiety strongly affects women’s sexual function.
This study highlights the importance of sexual fantasies in sexuality. In fact, sexual fantasies are used in sex therapy to diminish levels of anxiety of execution or of sexual activity, provided that there are no organic anomalies (lack of hormones, endocrine disorders, etc.).
The Importance of Education
These Spanish researchers point out that education on sexual stimulation and response as well as healthy attitudes towards sexuality is extremely important. In this way, sexual intercourse is more pleasurable and there is less probability of having sexual dysfunctions.