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The Impacts of Alexithymia and Sexual Distress

By sarmasyorsolya
The Impacts of Alexithymia and Sexual Distress on Sexual Functioning Among Portuguese Women
Celina Ribeiro & Henrique PereiraContact / Kontakt / Kapcsolat
EJMH Vol 18 (2023) 1-13; https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.18.2023.0002
Received: 13 December 2021; Accepted: 27 September 2022; Online: 24 February 2023
Section: Research Papers
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Abstract

Introduction: Recognizing own’s emotions seems to have an important role regarding not only our overall well-being, but also our sexual functioning.

Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the association or impact of alexithymia on female sexual functioning. Methods: 459 Portuguese women, with a mean age of 34.57 years (SD = 10.27), ranging from 18 to 65 years, completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised (FSDS-R) and, additionally, completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), indicating if and when a sexual relationship occurred in the last month.

Results: The results showed that higher levels of alexithymia were associated with worse sexual functioning and higher levels of sexual distress. Higher levels of sexual distress were associated with worse sexual functioning. It was possible to establish a significant linear regression model between dimensions of alexithymia (difficulties in identifying feelings and difficulties in describing feelings) and sexual distress in sexual functioning; the variables together explained about 45.2% of sexual functioning in these women.

Conclusions: The results emphasize the relevance of alexithymia’s dimensions in sexual functioning concerning women with or without sexual dysfunction, since they present themselves as significant predictors. Professionals working in women’s sexual health should take this into account for more effective assessment and intervention in matters concerning sexual health.

Keywords

sexual functioning, sexual distress, alexithymia, emotions, women

Corresponding author

Henrique Pereira

Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior Pólo IV, Portugal & Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Portugal

Correspondence: hpereira@ubi.pt

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9448-682X

Co-authors

Celina Ribeiro

ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7260-9112

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