Associations of Intimacy, Partner Responsiveness, and Attachment-Related Emotional Needs With Sexual Desire

Jacques J. D. M. van Lankveld*, Marieke Dewitte, Peter Verboon, Susan A. H. van Hooren

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this online cross-sectional survey study in a large community sample we investigated the associations between attachment-related relational needs, partner responsiveness, intimacy, and sexual desire, using structural equation modeling. Participants were heterosexual and non-heterosexual women and men. Intimacy and partner responsiveness correlated positively with sexual desire in all subsamples. Anxious attachment-related relational needs correlated positively with sexual desire. Avoidant attachment-related relational needs correlated negatively with sexual desire. Anxious and avoidant attachment-related needs, however, did not moderate the association between intimacy and sexual desire. Individuals with problems of low sexual desire may benefit from an emphasis in sex therapy on ways to increase (perceptions of) intimacy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number665967
Number of pages13
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jun 2021

Keywords

  • sexual desire
  • attachment-related emotional needs
  • partner responsiveness
  • intimacy
  • anxious adult attachment
  • avoidant adult attachment
  • INTERPERSONAL PROCESS
  • GENDER-DIFFERENCES
  • SELF-DISCLOSURE
  • VOLUNTEER BIAS
  • MEN
  • SATISFACTION
  • LIFE
  • MODELS
  • PREVALENCE
  • MOTIVATION

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