Immature psychological defense mechanisms are associated with women's greater desire for and actual engaging in masturbation

Abstract

Previous research found that frequency of penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) is associated with better health and satisfaction (sexual, relationship, life, mental health), with some opposite effects for masturbation (even when controlling for partnered sexual activity frequency). Previous research also found that depressed women have a greater desire to masturbate (but not to engage in PVI) than non-depressed women. Thus, we sought to examine if such associations might be due to a characterological issue. Immature psychological defense mechanisms indicate impaired characterological function, and are associated with specific sexual impairments. A sample of 132 women reported their frequencies of various sexual activities, and completed the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and a measure of social desirability responding. Multivariate analyses indicated that immature defense mechanisms are independently associated with (1) greater frequency of engaging in masturbation (beta = .50), younger age, and lower social desirability scores; and (2) greater frequency of desire to engage in masturbation (beta = .48), lesser frequency of desire to engage in PVI (beta = −.21), and younger age. The results should inform the practice of sex education, sex therapy, and understanding of the roles of personality, mood, and sexual behaviors.

Keywords:

• depression
• defense mechanisms
• masturbation
• intercourse

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Stuart Brody

Stuart Brody, PhD, is Full Professor of Psychology at the University of the West of Scotland, having previously worked at universities in Germany, and as a clinical and forensic psychologist in the USA. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Association. His research areas include sexual function and dysfunction, HIV epidemiology, psychophysiology and neuroscience, personality, and other clinical issues. His website is stuartbrody.tripod.com

Susan Nicholson

Susan Nicholson was awarded her BA (Hons) in Psychology in 2012 from the University of the West of Scotland.