Does anxiety sensitivity interfere with sexual well-being? Evidence from a community sample

Abstract

AbstractAnxiety sensitivity has been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor with implications for problems in sexual well-being; those with higher anxiety sensitivity tend to experience poorer sexual well-being. The current study extended work examining links between anxiety sensitivity and sexual well-being to a community sample while taking into account broader psychological well-being. Participants were 484 men, women, and gender diverse adults (Mage = 31.70 years; SD = 11.26) who had engaged in partnered sexual activity at least once in their lifetime. We assessed sexual well-being broadly by including measures of sexual function, cognitive-affective responses (i.e. sexual satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, sexual distress), and sexual behavior (i.e. frequency of sexual activity, avoidance of sex). Multiple regression analyses showed that anxiety sensitivity is linked to poorer sexual well-being among men and women. Associations between anxiety sensitivity and sexual pain, sexual satisfaction (for women), and sexual distress persisted over and above the contributions of psychological well-being. Few gender effects were noted, suggesting that these experiences are common to all. Findings have clinical implications relevant to those working with individuals with anxiety or sexual problems.Lay SummaryWe tested the relation between anxiety sensitivity (fear of arousal-related body sensations like rapid heartrate) and sexual well-being. Data were collected from surveys completed by 484 adults. Results showed that having higher anxiety sensitivity was linked to more sexual pain, worse sexual satisfaction (for women), and more sexual distress.Keywords: Anxietyanxiety sensitivitydepressionsexual well-being AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank their team of undergraduate research assistants, Emily MacKenzie, Emma Giberson, Taylor McAulay, and Julia Keilty, for help with literature review, participant recruitment, and data management. They would also like to thank the participants for their time and contributions to the study.Disclosure statementThe authors have no known conflict of interest to disclose.