Sexual enhancement programs: An examination of their current status and directions for future research

In this paper the literature on four types of sexual enhancement programs for nondysfunctional couples is evaluated. The LoPiccolo and Miller (1978) program emphasizes education, behavioral homework, attitude change, specific skill training, open and honest sexual communication, direct interpersonal feedback, and a focus on the here and now. Sexual Attitude Restructuring programs advocate group discussion and didactic, multi‐media presentations as the most efficacious means of dealing with attitudinal distortions and misinformation. The program of Travis and Travis (1975) has broader aims than either of the aforementioned. It encourages self‐actualization and interpersonal growth via action‐oriented experiences in communication, fantasy, sensory awareness, and role‐playing. Finally, the program of Kaufman and Krupka (1975) aims to better communication, increase intimacy and sharing, and to expand each partner's awareness of self and mate as sexual beings. Despite the fact that nearly all the investigators of the various types of sexual enhancement programs claim to find positive results of one kind or another, upon closer examination, the empirical support for these claims are often found to be lacking. Specific methodological weaknesses of the reviewed programs are mentioned, and the suggestion is made that future research in this area might benefit from a concentration of efforts to determine the critical components of existing programs. A number of other suggestions for future researchers to pursue are also offered