Abstract

Objective: Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process involved in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders that negatively affect sexual functioning. However, empirical evidence for the role of RNT on sexual functioning is still lacking. The current study aimed to investigate the role of RNT on sexual functioning in men and women by examining differences in RNT between men and women and between individuals with and without subclinical sexual difficulties. It also aimed to investigate the predictive role of RNT on sexual function indices in men and women. Methods: A total of 424 participants (270 women) completed online a sociodemographic questionnaire and Portuguese versions of the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale, the Female Sexual Functioning Index, and the International Index of Erectile Function. Results: The main findings showed that women scored significantly higher than men on the RNT. Similarly, individuals with subclinical sexual difficulties scored significantly higher on the RNT compared with individuals without sexual difficulties. RNT was a statistically significant and negative predictor of sexual functioning in women and men. The role of RNT on sexual functioning in women and men was found, with men and women with subclinical sexual difficulties more likely to express persistent and intrusive negative thoughts compared with men and women without sexual difficulties. Conclusions: In summary, RNT appears to be a negative predictor of sexual functioning in both women and men, suggesting that individuals with more intrusive and negative persistent thoughts also have more difficulty in their sexual response.

摘要

目的：重复性消极思维 (RNT) 是一种跨诊断过程，涉及对性功能产生负面影响的情绪障碍的发展和维持。然而，仍然缺乏关于 RNT 对性功能作用的经验证据。目前的研究旨在通过检查男性和女性之间以及有和没有亚临床性困难的个体之间的 RNT 差异来调查 RNT 对男性和女性性功能的作用。它还旨在调查 RNT 对男性和女性性功能指数的预测作用。方法：共有 424 名参与者（270 名女性）在线完成了一份社会人口统计学问卷和葡萄牙语版本的持续和侵入性消极思想量表、女性性功能指数和国际勃起功能指数。结果：主要研究结果表明，女性在 RNT 上的得分明显高于男性。同样，与没有性困难的人相比，有亚临床性困难的人在 RNT 上的得分明显更高。RNT 是女性和男性性功能的统计显着负预测因子。发现 RNT 对女性和男性性功能的作用，与没有性困难的男性和女性相比，有亚临床性困难的男性和女性更容易表达持续和侵入性的消极想法。结论：总之，RNT 似乎是女性和男性性功能的负面预测指标，这表明具有更多侵入性和消极持续性想法的人在性反应方面也更困难。