Psychological factors involved in sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction: a multi-factorial perspective

This study explored the role of psychological trait factors in sexual desire and sexual activity. In particular, it investigated howthese factors may contribute to maintaining a balance between motivational aspects and self-control abilities, as both have been considered important in relationto adaptive sexuality. Moreover, the study explored the relationship between sexual desire, activity, and satisfaction. Participants completed questionnaires assessingsexual desire (dyadic, solitary), sexualactivity(withapartner, alone), sexual satisfaction, approach and avoidance motivation, attachment, self-control, sensation seeking, and mindfulness.Cluster analyses, based on participants' level of sexualdesireandsexual activity,highlighted three distinct profiles for each gender related to different types of psychological functioning: (a) participants with high dyadic sexual desire and activity were the most sexually satisfied, showed optimal psychological functioning, and were characterized by a balance between motivational tendencies to seek positive rewards and self-control abilities (high approach motivation, secure attachment, high self-control, high mindfulness); (b) participants with high dyadic and solitary sexual desire and activity weremoderately satisfied and showed a type of psychological functioning predominantly characterized by impulsivity (an overly high motivation to obtain rewards in women, and low self-control in men); (c) participants with low dyadic sexual desireandactivitywerethe least sexually satisfied and were characterized by high motivation to avoid negative consequences and low self-control (high avoidance motivation, insecure attach ment, and poormindfulness). These results shed further light on how fundamental psychological factors contribute to explain the individual variability in sexual desire, activity, and satisfaction