Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
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Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem. Problems with relaxation are often perceived as the cause for why these sexual difficulties occur. However, little is known about how relaxation...Show moreFemale sexual dysfunction is a common problem. Problems with relaxation are often perceived as the cause for why these sexual difficulties occur. However, little is known about how relaxation influences the sexual response. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how relaxation is associated with the female sexual response. This was investigated by an experimental design in which 50 healthy women (age 18-45 years) performed a relaxation exercise with the help of a relaxation instrument. As a control condition, they had to quietly lay down. Pelvic floor and self-reported mental relaxation, pleasurableness of tactile non-genital stimulation in response to a tactile stimulation exercise, and genital and subjective sexual arousal in response to an erotic film were measured as dependent variables. It also exploratively examined whether having a history of sexual abuse influences the relationship between relaxation and the sexual response. Performing the relaxation exercise with the relaxation instrument did not induce more pelvic floor or mental relaxation compared to quietly lying down. Similarly, the relaxation exercise did not facilitate pleasurableness of tactile non-genital stimulation. Levels of pelvic floor or mental relaxation were not associated with genital sexual arousal in response to an erotic film, but were associated with subjective sexual arousal. Having a history of sexual abuse did not influence pelvic floor and mental relaxation and pleasurableness of tactile non-genital stimulation, and it was not associated with genital and subjective sexual arousal in response to an erotic film. These results show that the relaxation exercise was not effective in increasing pelvic floor or mental relaxation and that it does not lead to more pleasurableness of tactile stimulation when compared to quietly lying down. However, the findings might indicate that relaxation could indeed facilitate feelings of sexual arousal, but does perhaps not facilitate the physical sexual response. Nevertheless, more research is needed with a more effective relaxation exercise in order to get a greater understanding in the facilitating effects of relaxation on the female sexual response.Show less