Abstract

CAMPOS, Pedro; WITTMANN, Marc  and  COSTA, Rui. Sexual function, personality, and body awareness. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.2, pp.411-422.  Epub Aug 31, 2021. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/21psd220208.

Associations between Big Five personality traits and sexual function have been reported by many studies. Additionally, temporary alterations of consciousness influence sexual functioning. The present study examined how sexual responsiveness is independently associated with Big Five Personality traits and intensity of awareness of body, time, and surrounding space. One hundred thirty six heterosexual Portuguese women answered an online survey. Big Five personality traits were measured by the NEO-FFI-20. To assess responsiveness during the last sexual intercourse, participants completed measures on sexual satisfaction, desire, arousal, and orgasm occurrence, as well as awareness of body, space and time. Satisfaction and orgasm were associated to higher extraversion, higher conscientiousness, and lower neuroticism. Desire and arousal correlated with higher extraversion and lower neuroticism. Greater body awareness and lesser time awareness correlated with satisfaction, desire, and arousal. Body awareness was inversely related to time awareness. Satisfaction was independently predicted by body awareness, being in a relationship, extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness. Desire was independently predicted by body awareness and lower neuroticism. Arousal was independently predicted by body awareness, openness to experience, and lower neuroticism. The findings provide knowledge on how sexual responsiveness might be independently influenced by stable personality factors and transient changes of consciousness.

Keywords : sexual function; personality; body awareness; time awareness; alterations of consciousness.

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