Abstract

Sexual issues are common in couples who seek relationship therapy. However, few studies have examined the nature of the sexual issues reported by these couples and how these issues are addressed in relationship therapy. This study examined the nature of the sexual issues most often reported in 169 couples seeking relationship therapy, as well as the sexuality-related goals pursued by their therapist. The concordance between these sexuality-related goals and a) the sexual issues qualitatively reported by the couples and b) partners’ scores on quantitative measures of sexual satisfaction and function was also examined. Findings showed that in 48.5% of couples, at least one of the two partners reported a sexual issue as a reason for seeking therapy. The most common sexual issues were the frequency of sexual activity and sexual desire. Our results also showed that when couples reported a sexual issue, their therapists were five times more likely to pursue a sexuality-related goal. They were also slightly more likely to pursue a sexuality-related goal when women reported lower sexual satisfaction. Globally, this study stresses the need for all relationship therapists to receive formal training in sexuality and underscores the importance for them to address sexual issues in relationship therapy.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1969546 .

摘要

在寻求关系治疗的夫妇中，性问题很常见。然而，很少有研究调查这些夫妇报告的性问题的性质以及如何在关系治疗中解决这些问题。这项研究调查了 169 对寻求关系治疗的夫妇最常报告的性问题的性质，以及他们的治疗师追求的与性相关的目标。还检查了这些与性相关的目标与 a) 夫妻定性报告的性问题和 b) 伴侣在性满意度和功能的定量测量上的分数之间的一致性。调查结果显示，在 48.5% 的夫妇中，至少两个伴侣中的一个将性问题作为寻求治疗的原因。最常见的性问题是性活动的频率和性欲。我们的结果还表明，当夫妻报告性问题时，他们的治疗师追求与性相关的目标的可能性是其五倍。当女性报告性满意度较低时，她们也更有可能追求与性相关的目标。在全球范围内，这项研究强调所有关系治疗师都需要接受正式的性培训，并强调他们在关系治疗中解决性问题的重要性。

本文的补充数据可在 https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1969546 在线获得。