To find out which is more likely to help couples better navigate sexual compatibility, psychologists investigated two different beliefs about the nature of sexual satisfaction.
Sex with a new love interest usually starts strong and then fades over time. The energy that comes with new relationships can be replaced by other virtues.
A growth mindset that invests in an ongoing effort to overcome these challenges is required by some.
Others think it takes natural compatibility to keep chemistry alive.
When it comes to overcoming sexual differences, the consequences of each belief have been investigated in the past, but their impact on our ability to negotiate relationships when the loss of sex gives way to depression and anxiety has not been fully appreciated.
A small group of psychologists from around the world carried out a longitudinal study on 97 couples where a female partner was diagnosed with low levels of desire and arousal to find out how partners beliefs correlated with changes in their sexual wellbeing.
The baseline survey was completed at the start of the study. After a few break-ups and non-completion of surveys, the team had full data from 66 couples on things like sexual desire, frequency, conflict, and satisfaction, as well as incomplete data from 6 couples where only one partner submitted the follow-up survey.
The statistics show how we deal with sexual struggles as a relationship progresses. The two beliefs that were labelled by the researchers were sexual growth belief and sexual destiny belief.
A view that sexual satisfaction is all about natural chemistry was initially correlated with lower relationship satisfaction among women with a diagnosis of low sexual desire.
It was not a picnic for their partner. They reported lower satisfaction in their relationship if they held similar beliefs.
Sexual desire was higher among those with sexual growth beliefs. At least for their partners, desire was low, at least compared with partners who believed sexual desire was more destined than designed.
The year seemed to make a difference. The couples who completed the study experienced improvements in their sexual desire.
Even though barely one in ten people are seeking treatment, partners with FSIAD were noting a significant improvement in desire and lower levels of depression.
It's good news that couples who stick it out will go through periods of improved sexual desire.
The results show that having a growth mindset when it comes to sex could help a couple work through dry spells. Having a view that chemistry is key adds to the stress and may even compound it by making you feel powerless.
The findings show that sexual growth beliefs are linked to better well-being when dealing with low sexual desire.
There are a lot of caveats and contexts to keep in mind when researching psychology.
Most of the couples were married or living together, but over 77 percent were in mixed-sex relationships and identified as straight. They had to have been in a relationship with their partner for at least six months.
Female partners who were chronically distressed by a loss of sexual appetite were the focus of the research.
The research could help many couples focus on sex and compatibility more than just the practicalities.
Sexual growth and destiny beliefs may be important to the sexual narratives that people hold aboutcompatibility with their partner and also their understanding of their agency.
The Journal of Sex Research published this research.
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