Gender Differences in the Development of Sexual Excitation and Inhibition Through the Life Course: Preliminary Findings from a Representative Study in Flanders

Abstract

The dual control model proposes that there are individual differences in the propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Research to date has considered the effect of age on these traits as a simple linear effect, and studies examining gender differences in age effects are lacking. There are, however, indications that the associations of age with excitation and inhibition are nonlinear and that there might be gender differences in these associations. The aim of this study was to examine how these traits develop through an individual’s life and whether there are gender differences in this development. In this study we applied polynomial regression analyses to examine the interaction effects of age and gender on sexual excitation and inhibition. We used data from a representative cross-sectional survey on sexual health in Flanders (N = 1,825; mean age = 43.77; SD = 17.98). Most of the associations of excitation and inhibition with age were nonlinear, and there were substantial gender differences in these associations. This indicates that the interplay between age, gender, and excitation and inhibition should be taken into account in research on (dys)functional sexuality.

Additional information

Funding

The Sexpert study group consists of Ann Buysse (Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University), Paul Enzlin (Department of Development and Regeneration, Institute for Family and Sexuality Studies, University of Leuven, and Context: Centre for Couple, Family, and Sex Therapy, University Psychiatric Centre, University of Leuven), Guy T’Sjoen (Department of Endocrinology and Centre for Sexology and Gender Problems, Ghent University Hospital), John Lievens, Mieke Van Houtte, and Hans Vermeersch (Department of Sociology, Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Socialization Research Team, Ghent University). The Sexpert study was funded by the Strategic Basic Research Program of the Flemish Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology. Furthermore, we would like to thank Katrijn Abrahams for sharing her medical expertise with us, which significantly improved the quality of this study.