Sex film viewing, but not hypersexual concerns, are associated with more sexual arousal in anticipation of an intimate partner experience

Abstract

Background Hypersexual behaviours could reflect psychopathology, in part, because they impair interactions with intimate partners. Methods Hypersexual concerns were measured as: (1) concern about inability to control one’s own sexual behaviours; and (2) sexual films viewed. The outcome, sexual arousal, was measured using two indicators: (1) self-reported sexual arousal (before/after); and (2) skin conductance response from the person stimulated (continuously). Two-hundred and fifty participants completed Orgasmic Meditation (OM), a coupled, structured, 15-min manual-genital stroking. Results Reported difficulty controlling their own sexual behaviours was not related to sexual arousal reports. Participants who viewed more sexual films reported more sexual arousal before starting OM than participants who viewed less sexual films. Strokers who viewed more sexual films were associated with a higher skin conductance response in the stroked partner. Conclusions Despite statistical power and pre-registration, hypersexual concerns did not predict sexual responses with a partner. Sex film viewing may increase sexual responsiveness in individuals and their partners.