Intimacy, Sexual Desire and Differentiation in Couplehood: A Theoretical and Methodological Review

Abstract

The scientific community underlines that one of the main challenges for couples is the effect of time on sexual desire. Some studies suggest that although some dimensions associated with intimacy tend to increase during the relationship, sexual desire and the related constructs tend to decrease. Some researchers have recently suggested that couples’ relationships with high degrees of sharing and fusion might be particularly detrimental for the sustenance of sexual desire. However, the authors found no empirical or theoretical studies that investigate the relations between intimacy and desire. Recovering the concept of differentiation as a possible influencing variable between intimacy and desire, this article develops reflections on this theme, which is of paramount relevance for the couple viability.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a PhD grant, provided by the Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal (SFRH/BD/61853/2009).The authors thank Barbara Fiese, Ph.D., for her contributions to this article.

Notes

1. Whereas processes related to romantic love (intimacy, attachment) are associated with the release of oxytocin, prolactin and vasopressin, the ones related to sexual behavior and sexuality occur within the presence of dopamine and noradrenalin (Tobeña, 2006).

2. P = ∫ (di/dt) + C. Passion (P) varies as a function of the perceived change in intimacy (di) through time (dt), along with other constant variables (C).