The Role of Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction in the Sexual Function of Arab Couples Living in Saudi Arabia

Atia Attaky, MD, MSC, FECSM, ECPS; Jan Schepers, PhD; Gerjo Kok, PhD; Marieke Dewitte, PhD

Sexual Medicine (Apr 2021)

The Role of Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction in the Sexual Function of Arab Couples Living in Saudi Arabia

Atia Attaky, MD, MSC, FECSM, ECPS,
Jan Schepers, PhD,
Gerjo Kok, PhD,
Marieke Dewitte, PhD

Affiliations

Atia Attaky, MD, MSC, FECSM, ECPS: Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Al-Mattaria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt; Mutmaena Medical Psychiatric Center Riyadh. 1622. KSA; Corresponding Author: Atia Attaky, MD, MSC, FECSM, ECPS, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Al-Mattaria Teaching Hospital, Cairo 1134, Egypt. Tel: 0550620625; Fax: 0112296669;
Jan Schepers, PhD: Department of Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Gerjo Kok, PhD: Department of Work and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Marieke Dewitte, PhD: Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 2
p. 100303

Abstract

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Introduction: This study is one of the first to examine the association between relationship and sexual variables as approached from a dyadic perspective in Saudi Arabian couples. Theoretical models assign an important role to relationship factors in women's sexuality. Aim: We examined the role of sexual and relationship satisfaction relative to sexual desire in explaining sexual function in a sample of clinical versus nonclinical couples. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study in a sample of 50 heterosexual couples with sexual problems and 50 control couples without problems (N = 100 couples; 200 men and women). Main Outcome Measure: All participants completed an Arabic version of measures of relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual distress, and sexual function. Results: Results showed that in the clinical group, sexual function of women was predicted by their own and their partner's level of sexual satisfaction, and their own level of solitary and dyadic sexual desire. Men's sexual function was predicted by their own sexual satisfaction and their partner's relationship satisfaction. In the control group, the sexual function of women was predicted only by their level of sexual satisfaction. In men, sexual function was predicted by their own sexual satisfaction and their level of dyadic sexual desire. Conclusion: These results suggest that sexual desire rather than relationship satisfaction plays an important role in women's sexual dysfunction. Being the most consistent determinant of male and female sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction is an important target of intervention in Arabian couples.A Attaky, J Schepers, G Kok, et al. The Role of Sexual Desire, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction in the Sexual Function of Arab Couples Living in Saudi Arabia. Sex Med 2021;9:100303.

Published in Sexual Medicine

ISSN: 2050-1161 (Online)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://academic.oup.com/smoa

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Abstract

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