Abstract
Women display a wide range of subjective (self-reported), physiological (genital response), and emotional responses to sexual stimuli. Sexual responses are often assessed using quantitative methodologies; qualitative data can corroborate quantitative data and reveal novel information and avenues for discovery for understanding variations in patterns of sexual response. The current study examined women’s (n = 148) responses to various sexual and non-sexual stimuli through open-ended, free response thought journals immediately after watching various neutral (nature themed) and sexually explicit video clips (e.g., solitary masturbation, intercourse). A qualitative content analysis of 842 responses was conducted by five independent coders to determine participants’ thoughts immediately after viewing stimuli. Prominent themes included: (1) stimulus appraisals; (2) emotional expressions; and (3) self-reflections and disclosures, which further included participants’ sexual-self-disclosures; (4) various degrees of sexual arousal (or lack thereof); and (5) sexual and non-sexual desires. Additional analyses include frequencies and comparisons of specific themes between stimulus types. Findings contribute to understanding cognitive and emotional components of sexual response.
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Notes
It is important to note that many studies, including this one, refer to these measures in use with cisgender women and men, but vaginal and penile plethysmography can be used with any individuals who have a vagina or penis, respectively.
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Funding
Funding for sample one was provided by a New Investigator Award and grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (130437). Funding for Sample two was provided by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant (386198–10), and a New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Funding for Sample three was provided by a New Investigator Award from the Canadian.
Institutes of Health Research and a grant from the Queen’s University Senate Advisory Research Council.
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MC was responsible for the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by MC, TB, T P, GC, MD, and SW. Data analysis was performed by TB, TP, GC, MD, and SW. The first draft of the manuscript was written by TB, TP, GC, MD, SW, and MC. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Busch, T.M., Penniston, T.L., Conrads, G.S. et al. A Penny for Your (Sexual) Thoughts: Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Self-Described Reactions to Sexual and Nonsexual Stimuli. Arch Sex Behav 51, 3749–3763 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02325-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02325-4