Intimacy, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Distress in Vulvodynia Couples: An Observational Study
OBJECTIVE:
Vulvodynia
is a prevalent idiopathic pain condition with deleterious consequences for the
sexuality of affected women and their spouses. Intimacy has been identified as
a facilitator of adjustment to health difficulties in couples. Two components
of intimacy were examined among couples with vulvodynia-empathic response and
disclosure-in relation to their sexual satisfaction and sexual distress.
METHOD:
Using an
observational design, 50 women (Mage = 24.50 years, SD = 4.03) diagnosed with
vulvodynia and their spouses (Mage = 26.10 years, SD = 5.70) participated in a
filmed discussion focusing on the impact of vulvodynia on their lives. Empathic
response and disclosure were assessed by a trained observer and self-reported
by participants after engaging in the discussion. The actor-partner
interdependence model guided the data analyses.
RESULTS:
Women's
and spouses' higher observed and perceived empathic responses were associated
with their own and their partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and
spouses' higher perceived disclosures were associated with their own and their
partners' greater sexual satisfaction. Women's and spouses' higher observed empathic
responses were associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's higher
observed empathic responses were associated with their spouses' lower sexual
distress. Women and spouses' perceived greater empathic responses were
associated with their own lower sexual distress. Women's and spouses' greater
perceived disclosures during the discussion were associated with their own and
their partners' lower sexual distress.
CONCLUSION:
Promoting
empathic response and disclosure through couple interventions may buffer
against the sexual distress and sexual dissatisfaction of couples coping with
vulvodynia.
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