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Research on Sexuality in Marriage

Research on Sexuality in Marriage. Janet S. Hyde, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin Prepared for the Congressional Briefing March 5, 2004. Definition of Health (World Health Organization, 1946). Health includes Physical Health Mental Health Social Well-being (e.g., relationship health)

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Research on Sexuality in Marriage

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  1. Research on Sexuality in Marriage Janet S. Hyde, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin Prepared for the Congressional Briefing March 5, 2004

  2. Definition of Health(World Health Organization, 1946) • Health includes • Physical Health • Mental Health • Social Well-being (e.g., relationship health) • Health is not just the absence of disease, but the presence of positive well-being

  3. Definition of Health • Definition of health includes sexual health (former Surgeon General Satcher) • Physical health (e.g., STDs) • Mental health (e.g., anguish caused by sexual dysfunctions) • Relationship health (e.g., impact of sexuality on marriage)

  4. Extent of the Problem • Viagra has been used by roughly 16 million men worldwide since its introduction in 1998 (Pfizer, 2004) • Much of that use is for sexual expression in marriage. • Today 50% of marriages will end in divorce. We must do more to support and stabilize marriages.

  5. Sexuality is Important to Marriage • Sexual satisfaction correlates positively with marital satisfaction (Christopher & Sprecher, 2000; Oggins et al., 1993) • Sexual dissatisfaction in marriage predicts divorce 3 years later (White & Keith, 1990)

  6. Example 1: Sexuality During Pregnancy and the Year Postpartum(Hyde et al., 1996) • Data from Wisconsin Maternity Leave and Health Project (WMLH)/ Wisconsin Study of Families and Work (WSFW) • 570 couples (all heterosexual) recruited in 5th month of pregnancy • Funded by NIMH • Extensive measures of marital quality included questions on sexuality • Longitudinal design: followed families over time

  7. Intercourse in Last Month (Hyde et al., 1996)

  8. Satisfaction with Sexual Relationship

  9. Sexuality During Pregnancy and Postpartum • Importance of couples knowing about typical patterns • Importance to physicians

  10. Example 2: DINS, Myth or Reality? • DINS = Dual-Income, No Sex

  11. Sexuality & Dual-Earner Couples(Hyde et al., 2001) • National Health & Social Life Survey (NHSLS) data set (Laumann et al., 1994) • Random sample of 3,432 Americans aged 18-59 • Reports by married men • Wife home full time • Wife works part time • Wife works full time

  12. NHSLS Data: Husbands Who Lacked Interest in Sex

  13. NHSLS Data: Frequency of Intercourse (reported by wives) 4 +/ week Once/ week Not at all

  14. WSFW Data: Wives’ Satisfaction with Sexual Relationship

  15. DINS: Conclusion • Myth: Data do not support the assertion that dual-income couples doing less well sexually • Problem: DINS can become a self-fulfilling prophecy • Importance of sex research testing cultural myths

  16. Part II

  17. Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (2001) Former Surgeon General David Satcher

  18. Process • June 1999: DHHS work group on promoting responsible sexual behavior—a Leading Health Indicator in Healthy People 2010 • December 1999: Newport conference, more than 100 persons representing different expertise and points of view

  19. Process • July, 2000: Virginia conference, 130 persons representing 90 organizations, diversity of disciplines • Goal: to find common ground • Goal: to generate recommendations for the Call • Scientific advisors • Dr. Eli Coleman, University of Minnesota Medical School • Dr. Michael Ross, University of Texas School of Public Health • Dr. Janet Hyde, University of Wisconsin, Psychology Department

  20. I. Increase Public Awareness • Begin a national dialogue • Encourage opinion leaders to address issues • Provide access to education informed by best science and respect for diversity

  21. II. Provide the Necessary Health and Social Interventions • Eliminate disparities in sexual health status arising from social and economic disadvantage • Target interventions • Improve access • Train health professionals • Strengthen families

  22. III. Invest in Research • Promote basic research • Human sexual development • Sexual and reproductive health • Behavioral research on risk and protective factors • Translate the science to practice • Research to create and evaluate educational materials for use by parents, clergy, teachers, and other leaders

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