What is This Feeling? Examining How Interpretation of Arousal Sensations Are Associated with Anxiety and Sexual Functioning

Sexual functioning and anxiety have a complex and differential relationship for young women and men. Sensitivity to cues of anxiety and interpretations of arousal sensations may represent the differentiation between “My heart is racing, so I must be scared” versus “My heart is racing, so I must be turned on”. These interpretive differences may help explain why men and women show distinct associations between anxiety and sexual functioning. We examined whether the interpretations of arousal sensations were related to sexual functioning in women and men. Undergraduate, women and men (N = 909) completed measures assessing anxiety sensitivity, positive interpretations of arousal sensations, and sexual functioning. Structural equation modeling was used to examine whether anxiety sensitivity and positive beliefs about arousal sensations were related to dimensions of sexual functioning in women and men. In women, higher anxiety sensitivity correlated with lower sexual satisfaction, whereas higher positive beliefs about arousal sensations correlated with higher sexual desire. In men, higher anxiety sensitivity correlated with higher sexual arousal, erection, and orgasm, whereas higher positive beliefs about arousal sensations correlated with higher sexual desire. Findings support the importance of considering beliefs about arousal sensations when assessing and treating individuals with problems in sexual functioning.