Gender attributions of orgasm non-occurrence in heterosexual relationships and their association with sexual and relationship outcomes

The present study describes a mixed-methods approach to studying gendered attributions made in response to orgasm non-occurrence during sexual encounters with a partner. The study employed a concurrent nested mixed-methods design with primary data, which nested a quantitative analysis within a more...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexual and relationship therapy 2024-04, Vol.39 (2), p.422-443
Main Authors: Jones, Adam C., Eddy, Holly E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attribution
couples therapy
Heterosexual relationships
Heterosexuality
mixed-methods
Orgasm
Orgasm non-occurence
orgasmic disorder
Qualitative research
Quantitative analysis
Regression analysis
Sexual satisfaction
Women
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Summary:The present study describes a mixed-methods approach to studying gendered attributions made in response to orgasm non-occurrence during sexual encounters with a partner. The study employed a concurrent nested mixed-methods design with primary data, which nested a quantitative analysis within a more extensive qualitative analysis (n = 390). Two qualitative questions regarding both the participant and their partner's attributed reasons for being unable to orgasm were coded and analyzed thematically. These responses were then quantitized into dichotomous variables used as predictors of sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and orgasm frequency in a multiple regression analysis. Results of the study indicated that medical/health and technique/setting attributions were the most frequent reasons participants and their partners did not orgasm. Furthermore, relational attributions were negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in women. Finally, not knowing to what cause orgasm non-occurrence should be attributed was also negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in women and orgasm frequency in both men and women. Implications for clinicians and further research are discussed. A mixed-methods approach to understanding the reasons why men and women indicated not being able to orgasm during sexual encounters with their partner. A qualitative analysis examined the common themes among responses. Quantitative analysis used the qualitative themes as predictors of sexual and relational outcomes.
ISSN:1468-1994
1468-1749
DOI:10.1080/14681994.2022.2078958