To do or not to do: a study about sexual fantasies in an Italian sample

Abstract

Sexual imagery and fantasy are key aspects of human sexuality: they are associated with sexual arousal and are reflective of societal influences on sexuality. In addition, they are thought to play a role in sexual activation, desire and personal satisfaction. The current study aimed to investigate the sexual imagery on a sample (N = 5043) of the Italian population adapting the questionnaire used by an American study about the same topic (Lehmiller, 2018). Most participants (82%) think that sharing sexual fantasies with their partner improved their relationship, while the most common fantasy in the sample (60%) is seeking “novelty or having new or exciting sexual experiences.” People with a gender identity other than biological sex report the fantasy of having a different body during sexual intercourse and are more prone to having sex with transgender or cross-dressed people than respondents with congruence between gender identity and biological sex. Conversely, they report less interest in vaginal sex. This study offers a general but innovative overview of the Italian sexual imaginary.

LAY SUMMARY

Our study investigates the sexual imagery of an Italian sample, its characteristics and the place it occupies in people’s sex lives. This research offers a deeper understanding of the sexual fantasies of the Italian population and how they influence sexual satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Sexual fantasies
• Italian context
• gender differences
• gender variance
• relationship satisfaction

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gioele Salvatori

Gioele Salvatori Graduated in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Florence. Psychologist and clinical sexologist. Student at the School of Specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy “IPSICO”, in Florence. Expert in love addiction and author several scientific publications on the topic, as well as of contributions to numerous national and international congresses.

Miriana Amoroso

Miriana Amoroso is a clinical psychologist and a sexologist working in private practice in Bergamo and for the Integrated Centre of Clinical Sexology "Il Ponte" based in Florence. She graduated in clinical psychology at the University of Bergamo. As a feminist and promoter of LGBT + human rights, she decided to earn a master’s degree in clinical sexology at Giunti Psychometrics. Afterwards, she attended an advanced training course in love addiction at Giunti Psychometrics. Miriana is specializing in systemic relational psychotherapy at the Milan Center for Family Therapy. Her research interests lie in sexuality-related topics, love addiction and the use of the body on behalf of the therapist in the field of systemic psychotherapy.

Francesco Fantacci

Dr. Francesco Fantacci is a psychologist and sexologist. He graduated in Padova in Neuroscience and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. His research focuses on sexuality and LGBT + community. He works as clinical psychologist and sex therapist.

Daniel Giunti

Daniel Giunti Graduate in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Florence. Psychologist, psychotherapist and sexologist. Founder and president of the Integrated Center of Clinical Sexology "Il Ponte", Florence. Founder of the Italian Institute of Integrated Sexology. Scientific director of and teacher at the Master of psychology and psychopathology of typical and atypical sexuality, in Florence. Specialized in Psychoanalitic Psychoterapy at the H.S. Sullivan Institute of Analytical Psychotherapy, in Florence. Lecturer at numerous Schools of Specialization, Masters and associations, with a particular focus on the themes of sexual identity, sexual orientation, homophobia and best practices for clinicians working with LGBT + patients.

Andrea Olmi

Andrea Olmi Graduated in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Florence. Psychologist, psychotherapist and sexologist. Specialized in Individual and Group Psychotherapy according to an interpersonal psychoanalytic orientation at the H.S. Sullivan Institute of Analytical Psychotherapy. Perfected in Integrated Mansional Psychotherapy at C.I.S. (Italian Center for Sexology). Perfected in Criminology and Psychopathology of Sexual Behavior at CIS (Italian Center for Sexology). Master’s degree in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - EMDR Association Italy. Works as a freelancer at Integrated Center of Clinical Sexology "Il Ponte.”

Lorenzo Borrello

Lorenzo Borrello Born in 1997. Graduated in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Florence. Postgraduate internship at Integrated Sexology Center “Il Ponte.” Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Sexologist, expert in Love and Sexual Addictions. Has participated in 3 international conferences bringing his thesis work on Love and Sexual addiction. 2 publications as co-author. Conducts sex education interventions in secondary schools.

Paolo Antonelli

Paolo Antonelli Graduate in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology, University of Florence; PhD in Psychology from the Department of Psychology, University of Florence; Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapist trained at the Miller Institute in Genoa and Florence, Clinical Sexologist. Expert in Love and Sexual Addictions. Since 2015, Adjunct Professor of Teaching “Psychological Applications to the Contexts of the Profession” for the Master’s degree program in Clinical and Health Psychology and Neuropsychology at the School of Psychology, University of Florence. Lecturer at the School of Specialization in Developmental and Adolescent Psychotherapy “AcaBS - Academy of Behavioral Sciences”, with locations in Reggio Emilia, Brescia and Trento. Lecturer and trainer at the Italian Institute of Integrated Sexology. Lecturer at the School of Specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Psychology and Therapy "Il Miller," with offices in Genoa and Florence. Head of Scientific Research Center of Integrated Sexology “Il Ponte” in Florence. Member of the Working Group for the Rights of LGBT + People of the Order of Psychologists of Lombardy. I carry out my professional activity mainly between Florence, Perugia and Milan.