The Need for Sexual Wholeness: Linking Self-Determination Theory to the Physical, Emotional, and Meaning Aspects of Sex

References

• Althof, S. E., Leiblum, S. R., Chevret‐Measson, M., Hartmann, U., Levine, S. B., McCabe, M., Plaut, M., Rodrigues, O. & Wylie, K. (2005). Psychology: Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2(6), 793–800. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.00145.x
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Basson, R. (2008). Women’s sexual desire and arousal disorders. Primary Psychiatry, 15(9).
   Google Scholar
• Basson, R. (2008). Women’s sexual function and dysfunction: current uncertainties, future directions. International Journal of Impotence Research, 20(5), 466–478.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Baumeister, R. F. (2004). Gender and erotic plasticity: Sociocultural influences on the sex drive. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 19(2), 133–139. doi:10.1080/14681990410001691343
   Google Scholar
• Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R. and Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5, 242–273. https://doi.org/10.1207/FS15327957PSPR0503_5
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Birnbaum, G. E. (2010). Bound to interact: The divergent goals and complex interplay of attachment and sex within romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 27, 245–252. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0265407509360902
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brunell, A. B., & Webster, G. D. (2013). Self-determination and sexual experience in dating relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(7), 970–987. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0146167213485442
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buote, V. M., Wilson, A. E., Strahan, E. J., Gazzola, S. B., & Papps, F. (2011). Setting the bar: divergent sociocultural norms for women’s and men’s ideal appearance in real-world contexts. Body Image, 8(4), 322–334. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.06.002
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Busby, D. M., Chiu, H. -Y., Leonhardt, N. D., & Iliff, E. (2019). Sexual passion in committed relationships: Measurement and conceptual issues. Family Process, 58(3), 734–748. doi:10.1111/famp.12385
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Busby, D. M., Hanna‐Walker, V. R., Leavitt, C. E., & Carroll, J. S. (2022). The sexual wholeness model: An initial evaluation with two samples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(2), 643–664. doi:10.1111/jmft.12529
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Calogero, R. M., & Thompson, J. K. (2009). Potential implications of the objectification of women’s bodies for women’s sexual satisfaction. Body Image, 6(2), 145–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.01.001
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chivers, M. L., Seto, M. C., Lalumiere, M. L., Laan, E., & Grimbos, T. (2010). Agreement of self-reported and genital measures of sexual arousal in men and women: A meta-analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(1), 5–56. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9556-9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227–268. doi:10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Erbil, N. (2012). The relationships between sexual function, body image, and body mass index among women. Sexuality and Disability, 31(1), 63–70. doi:10.1007/s11195-012-9258-4
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gaine, G. S., & La Guardia, J. G. (2009). The unique contributions of motivations to maintain a relationship and motivations toward relational activities to relationship well-being. Motivation and Emotion, 33(2), 184–202. doi:10.1007/s11031-009-9120-x
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Galovan, A. M., Carroll, J. S., Schramm, D. G., Leonhardt, N. D., Zuluaga, J., McKenadel, S. E., & Oleksuik, M. R. (2021). Satisfaction or connectivity?: Implications from the strong relationality model of flourishing couple relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1–25. doi:10.1111/jmft.12559
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gravel, E. E., Reissing, E. D., & Pelletier, L. G. (2020). The EBB and flow of sexual well-being: The contributions of basic psychological needs and autonomous and controlled sexual motivation to daily variations in sexual well-being. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(7), 2286–2306. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0265407520921558
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hanna-Walker, V., Busby, D. M., Leavitt, C. E., & James, S. L. (2021). Missing piece of the puzzle: Evaluating a general meaning of sex measure. Family Process, 60(4), 1307–1330. doi:10.1111/famp.12631
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Impett, E. A., & Peplau, L. A. (2003). Sexual compliance: Gender, motivational, and relationship perspectives. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 87–100. doi:10.1080/00224490309552169
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Impett, E. A., Muise, A., & Peragine, D. (2014). Sexuality in the context of relationships. In L. D. D. Tolman (Ed.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology (pp. 269–316). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
   Google Scholar
• Johnson, S., & Zuccarini, D. (2010). Integrating sex and attachment in emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 36(3), 431–445. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00155
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kleinplatz, P. J., Ménard, A. D., Paquet, M. P., Paradis, N., Campbell, M., Zuccarino, D., & Mehak, L. (2009). The components of optimal sexuality: A portrait of “great Sex.” Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 18(1–2), 1–13.
   Google Scholar
• Kluwer, E. S., Karremans, J. C., Riedijk, L., & Knee, C. R. (2020). Autonomy in relatedness: How need fulfillment interacts in close relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(4), 603–616. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0146167219867964
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Knee, C. R., Hadden, B. W., Porter, B., & Rodriguez, L. M. (2013). Self-determination theory and romantic relationship processes. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 17(4), 307–324. https://doi.org/10.1177/F1088868313498000
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• La Guardia, J. G., Ryan, R. M., Couchman, C. E., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Within-person variation in security of attachment: A self-determination theory perspective on attachment, need fulfillment, and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(3), 367–384. doi:10.1037/0022-3514-79.3.367
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leavitt, C. E., Lefkowitz, E. S., & Waterman, E. A. (2019a). The role of sexual mindfulness in sexual wellbeing, relational wellbeing, and self-esteem. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45(6), 497–509. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2019.1572680
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leavitt, C. E., Leonhardt, N. D., & Busby, D. M. (2019). Different ways to get there: Evidence of a variable female sexual response cycle. The Journal of Sex Research. doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1616278
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leavitt, C. E., Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., & Clarke, R. W. (2021). When Is enough enough? Orgasm’s curvilinear association with relational and sexual satisfaction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 18(1), 167–178. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.002
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., Carroll, J. S., Leavitt, C. E., & Impett, E. A. (2019). Sexual flourishing: Conceptual and measurement considerations in validating a eudaimonic sexual quality measure. Paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Denver, Colorado.
   Google Scholar
• McNulty, J. K., & Fisher, T. D. (2008). Gender differences in response to sexual expectancies and changes in sexual frequency: A short-term longitudinal study of sexual satisfaction in newly married couples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(2), 229–240. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9176-1
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Olmstead, S. B., Billen, R. M., Conrad, K. A., Pasley, K., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). Sex, commitment, and casual sex relationships among college men: A mixed-method analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(3), 561–571. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.843147
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Patrick, H., Knee, C. R., Canevello, A., & Lonsbary, C. (2007). The role of need fulfillment in relationship functioning and well-being: a self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3), 434. 10.1037/0022-3514.92.3.434
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Relationships motivation theory: The self in close relationships. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications, 293–318.
   Google Scholar
• Sanchez, D. T., Crocker, J., & Boike, K. R. (2005). Doing gender in the bedroom: Investing in gender norms and the sexual experience. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(10), 1445–1455. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0146167205277333
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schnarch, D. M. (2009). Intimacy & desire: Awaken the passion in your relationship (p. 448). New York, NY: Beaufort Books.
   Google Scholar
• Smith, C. V. (2007). In pursuit of ‘good’ sex: Self-determination and the sexual experience. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(1), 69–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/F0265407507072589
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• StataCorp. (2019). Stata statistical software: Release 16. College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC.
   Google Scholar
• Steer, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2008). The role of self-objectification in women’s sexual functioning. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27(3), 205–225. doi:10.1521/jscp.2008.27.3.205
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stephenson, K. R., Ahrold, T. K., & Meston, C. M. (2011). The association between sexual motives and sexual satisfaction: Gender differences and categorical comparisons. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40(3), 607–618. doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9674-4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Štulhofer, A., Jurin, T., Graham, C., Janssen, E., & Traeen, B. (2020). Emotional intimacy and sexual well-being in aging European couples: a cross-cultural mediation analysis. European Journal of Ageing, 17(1), 43–54. doi:10.1007/s10433-019-00509-x
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Szolnoki, G., & Hoffmann, D. (2013). Online, face-to-face and telephone surveys—Comparing different sampling methods in wine consumer research. Wine Economics and Policy, 2(2), 57–66. doi:10.1016/j.wep.2013.10.001
   Google Scholar
• Tolman, D. L., & Diamond, L. M. (2014). Sexuality theory: A review, a revision and a recommendation. In D. L. Tolman & L. M. Diamond (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology: Person-based approaches (Vol. 1, pp. 3–27). American Psychological Association.
   Google Scholar
• Wheeler, B., & Kerpelman, J. (2016). Change in disagreements about money, time, and sex and marital outcomes. Journal of Relationships Research, 7, 1–14. doi:10.1017/jrr.2016.8
   Google Scholar
• Wylie, K. (2010). Sex education and the influence on sexual wellbeing. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 440–444. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.119
   Google Scholar