A study of the relationship between feminist attitudes and female sexual well-being through structural equation modeling

Date

2010-12

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Abstract

As resistance to the diagnostic model of sexual dysfunction and traditional, normative language begins to increase, so too does the argument for new ways to define female sexuality. As a result, this study sought to examine the role feminist attitudes play in female sexuality and perception of healthy sexual functioning. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between feminist attitudes and female sexual well-being through structural equation modeling. The focus was placed on gaining a better understanding of the female sexual experience through the collection of female responses to the sample of assessments available to women for sexual issues. The study sample was comprised of females (N=264) who were assessed through an online survey about various aspects of their sexuality and feminist attitudes. The final model included 5 latent constructs and 18 manifest indicators. Some of the findings of this study do not support extant literature in this field of study. For example, the results of this study suggested that the more one identifies with feminist attitudes, the less likely she is to be sexually satisfied. In addition, another unexpected finding suggested that the more one identifies with being sexually dysfunctional, the more likely she is to be sexually satisfied. Results that did support extant literature include the relationship between sexual communication and sexual satisfaction (the more one feels sexually satisfied, the more likely she is to communicate about sexual content with her partner). Discussion of a need for new female sexuality measures and therapeutic implications are included.

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Keywords

Female sexual well-being, Feminist attitudes, Sexual communication, Sexual dysfunction, Sexual satisfaction, Female sexuality

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