Masturbation parameters related to orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships: Differences between men and women.

Objective: Masturbation is a behavior that can enhance sexual functioning. This study aims to analyze differences between men and women in different masturbation parameters, and to examine their relation with orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships. Method: One thousand three hundred and thirty-fifth men and women from the Spanish population aged 18-83 years (M = 36.91; SD = 11.86) participated in an online survey. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic. Sexual history data, negative attitude toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire and orgasm subjective experience upon masturbation were assessed. Given the differences between men and women, independent regression models are proposed to explain orgasm satisfaction in the sexual relationships context. Findings: Men, compared to women, masturbated at a younger age (p < 0.001), and reported higher current masturbation frequency (p < 0.001) and more solitary sexual desire (p < 0.001). Women reported greater intensity in the subjective orgasm experience on its Affective (p < 0.001), Sensory (p < 0.001) and Intimacy (p < 0.001) dimensions. Regarding regression models, the Affective dimension of orgasm was a common parameter in men (ß = 0.36; p < 0.001) and women (ß = 0.24) to explain orgasm satisfaction during sexual relationships. In men, solitary masturbation frequency (ß = -0.10; p = 0.027) acquired a significant role. In women, the model also included age (ß = 0.09; p = 0.038), negative attitude toward masturbation (ß = -0.12; p = 0.005) and solitary sexual desire (ß = -0.19; p = 0.001). Conclusion: When dealing with men and women's orgasm difficulties in the sexual relationships context, it is important to consider the role of masturbation. In men and women, the Affective dimension of the orgasm experience explain the orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship. Also, in men, the solitary masturbation frequency is negatively related with orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship, supporting the compensatory hypothesis of masturbation. In women, in addition to the Affective dimension, the orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationship is explained, negatively, by the negative attitude toward masturbation, and positively, by the solitary sexual desire, which could be associated with more sexual self-knowledge. The relevance of masturbation in understanding sexual functioning is highlighted.

Association of Sexual Attitudes with Sexual Function: General vs. Specific Attitudes.

Background: Sexual attitudes are related to the expression of sexuality and have been associated with indicators for sexual health. The main aim of this study was to determine the explanatory capacity of general (i.e., erotophilia) and specific (i.e., toward sexual fantasies and masturbation) sexual attitudes on different sexual functioning dimensions (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication/erection, ability to have an orgasm and orgasm satisfaction). Methods: The sample consisted of 2000 heterosexual adults (1044 women, 956 men) aged 18-83 years. Results: The explanatory models for women mainly showed that positive attitudes toward sexual fantasies (ß range = -0.35, -0.249) and age (ß range = -0.111, 0.086) explained sexual function. The models proposed for men revealed a more diverse pattern, although the variable essential for explaining sexual function was a positive attitude toward sexual fantasies (ß range = -0.266, -0.097). Conclusions: These results indicate that specific sexual attitudes, particularly in relation to sexual fantasies, are more sensitive variables than erotophilia in examining sexual health.

Development of the Spanish short version of Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory / Desarrollo de una versión española breve del Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory

Background/Objective: Masturbation has historically been a sexual behaviour associated with negative connotations, as a consequence of traditional orthodox positions, despite its positive impact on health. The instruments developed to measure the attitude towards masturbation are scarce, and none of them have been validated in the Spanish adult population. This study aims to propose a short version of the Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory (NATMI) and examine their psychometric properties (reliability and evidence of validity) in the Spanish adult population. Method: A total of 4,116 heterosexual adults aged 18-83 years (M = 40.58; SD = 12.24; 54.64% women) participated in the study. In addition to the NATMI, they answered other scales to assess sexual attitudes, sexual desire, propensity to become sexually excited/inhibited and sexual functioning. Results: Analysis of the construct validity of the NATMI resulted in a reduced version of ten items grouped into a single factor explaining 66% of the variance (ordinal alpha = .95). The evidence of validity is clear, as subjects with negative and positive attitude towards masturbation differed in religiousness, frequency of masturbation, erotophilia, positive attitude towards sexual fantasies, sexual inhibition and sexual functioning. Conclusions: The Spanish short version of NATMI provides reliable and valid measures in the Spanish adult population. (AU)

Antecedentes/objetivo: La masturbación ha sido una conducta sexual asociada históricamente a connotaciones negativas, como consecuencia de posturas tradicionales ortodoxas, a pesar de su impacto positivo en la salud. Son escasos los instrumentos desarrollados para medir la actitud hacia la masturbación, no existiendo ninguno validado en población adulta española. El objetivo de este estudio es proponer una versión breve del Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory (NATMI) y examinar sus propiedades psicométricas (fiabilidad y evidencias de validez) en población adulta española. Método: Participaron 4.116 adultos heterosexuales de 18-83 años (M = 40,58; DT = 12,24; 54,64% mujeres), que respondieron además del NATMI a otras escalas para evaluar actitudes sexuales, deseo sexual, propensión a excitarse/inhibirse sexualmente y funcionamiento sexual. Resultados: El análisis de la validez de constructo dio lugar a una versión reducida de diez ítems agrupados en un único factor que explica el 66% de la varianza (alfa ordinal = 0,95). Se aportan evidencias de validez, ya que los sujetos con actitud negativa y positiva hacia la masturbación se diferencian en religiosidad, frecuencia de masturbación, erotofilia, actitud positiva hacia las fantasías sexuales, inhibición sexual y funcionamiento sexual. Conclusiones: La versión española breve del NATMI proporciona medidas fiables y validas en población adulta española. (AU)

Development of the Spanish short version of Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory.

Background/Objective: Masturbation has historically been a sexual behaviour associated with negative connotations, as a consequence of traditional orthodox positions, despite its positive impact on health. The instruments developed to measure the attitude towards masturbation are scarce, and none of them have been validated in the Spanish adult population. This study aims to propose a short version of the Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory (NATMI) and examine their psychometric properties (reliability and evidence of validity) in the Spanish adult population. Method: A total of 4,116 heterosexual adults aged 18-83 years (M = 40.58; SD = 12.24; 54.64% women) participated in the study. In addition to the NATMI, they answered other scales to assess sexual attitudes, sexual desire, propensity to become sexually excited/inhibited and sexual functioning. Results: Analysis of the construct validity of the NATMI resulted in a reduced version of ten items grouped into a single factor explaining 66% of the variance (ordinal alpha = .95). The evidence of validity is clear, as subjects with negative and positive attitude towards masturbation differed in religiousness, frequency of masturbation, erotophilia, positive attitude towards sexual fantasies, sexual inhibition and sexual functioning. Conclusions: The Spanish short version of NATMI provides reliable and valid measures in the Spanish adult population.

Antecedentes/objetivo: La masturbación ha sido una conducta sexual asociada históricamente a connotaciones negativas, como consecuencia de posturas tradicionales ortodoxas, a pesar de su impacto positivo en la salud. Son escasos los instrumentos desarrollados para medir la actitud hacia la masturbación, no existiendo ninguno validado en población adulta española. El objetivo de este estudio es proponer una versión breve del Negative Attitudes Toward Masturbation Inventory (NATMI) y examinar sus propiedades psicométricas (fiabilidad y evidencias de validez) en población adulta española. Método: Participaron 4.116 adultos heterosexuales de 18-83 años (M = 40,58; DT = 12,24; 54,64% mujeres), que respondieron además del NATMI a otras escalas para evaluar actitudes sexuales, deseo sexual, propensión a excitarse/inhibirse sexualmente y funcionamiento sexual. Resultados: El análisis de la validez de constructo dio lugar a una versión reducida de diez ítems agrupados en un único factor que explica el 66% de la varianza (alfa ordinal = 0,95). Se aportan evidencias de validez, ya que los sujetos con actitud negativa y positiva hacia la masturbación se diferencian en religiosidad, frecuencia de masturbación, erotofilia, actitud positiva hacia las fantasías sexuales, inhibición sexual y funcionamiento sexual. Conclusiones: La versión española breve del NATMI proporciona medidas fiables y validas en población adulta española.