Cross-sectional and prospective associations between self-compassion and sexual distress in couples coping with sexual interest/arousal disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

When an individual in a relationship is coping with low desire/arousal, both partners experience difficulties, including higher levels of sexual distress. Effective emotional regulation strategies, such as self-compassion, could have individual and interpersonal benefits for couples with sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD).

Aim

Using a dyadic design, we examined the role of self-compassion in the sexual distress of couples coping with SIAD, accounting for overall relationship satisfaction. The associations were analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. We also explored the moderating roles of having at least one member identify as sexually or gender diverse within the couple in the potential associations between self-compassion and sexual distress.

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SUBMITTER: Masse-Pfister M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11986424 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature