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      Self-expansion is associated with greater relationship and sexual well-being for couples coping with low sexual desire

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          Abstract

          Regular positive sexual interactions are one reason why relationships have health and well-being benefits, yet low sexual desire is among the most common sexual problems reported by women. One interpersonal factor that has been associated with greater sexual desire and satisfaction in community couples is self-expansion (i.e., expanding one’s sense of self through novel, exciting, and broadening activities with a partner). In the current study, we recruited 97 couples in which the woman was diagnosed with clinically low sexual desire to test how self-expansion was associated with both partners’ sexual and relationship well-being. When women with low desire reported higher self-expansion, they reported greater relationship and sexual satisfaction, higher desire, and couples were more affectionate. When their partners reported higher self-expansion, they felt more satisfied with their sex life and relationship (and so did the women), lower sexual distress and less relationship conflict, and couples were more affectionate. Our findings suggest that self-expansion is associated with greater relationship and sexual well-being for couples with low desire, as well as less sexual distress and relationship conflict. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

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          Author and article information

          Contributors
          (View ORCID Profile)
          Journal
          Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
          Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
          SAGE Publications
          0265-4075
          1460-3608
          February 2020
          September 19 2019
          February 2020
          : 37
          : 2
          : 602-623
          Affiliations
          [1 ]York University, Canada
          [2 ]Dalhousie University, Canada
          Article
          10.1177/0265407519875217
          aa9b9705-111d-40e3-8587-4df3cb2901c6
          © 2020

          http://journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license

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