Gender attributions of orgasm non-occurrence in heterosexual relationships and their association with sexual and relationship outcomes

Abstract

The present study describes a mixed-methods approach to studying gendered attributions made in response to orgasm non-occurrence during sexual encounters with a partner. The study employed a concurrent nested mixed-methods design with primary data, which nested a quantitative analysis within a more extensive qualitative analysis (n = 390). Two qualitative questions regarding both the participant and their partner’s attributed reasons for being unable to orgasm were coded and analyzed thematically. These responses were then quantitized into dichotomous variables used as predictors of sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and orgasm frequency in a multiple regression analysis. Results of the study indicated that medical/health and technique/setting attributions were the most frequent reasons participants and their partners did not orgasm. Furthermore, relational attributions were negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in women. Finally, not knowing to what cause orgasm non-occurrence should be attributed was also negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in women and orgasm frequency in both men and women. Implications for clinicians and further research are discussed.

LAY SUMMARY

A mixed-methods approach to understanding the reasons why men and women indicated not being able to orgasm during sexual encounters with their partner. A qualitative analysis examined the common themes among responses. Quantitative analysis used the qualitative themes as predictors of sexual and relational outcomes.

Keywords:

• Orgasm non-occurence
• attribution
• mixed-methods
• couples therapy
• orgasmic disorder

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to sincerely thank the following individuals for their contributions to the coding and analysis of the data presented in this article: Dave Robinson, Hunter Nilson, Jennifer Walker, Douglas McPhee, Ashley Bell, Ashley Fischer, and Alex Remund.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adam C. Jones

Adam Jones, is an assistant professor in the department of Human Development, Family Studies, & Counseling at Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Jones teaches in the MS and PhD programs in Marriage and Family Therapy. He researches sexual relationships in couples and clinical effectiveness of relational therapists. He has recently published articles on dyadic sexual communication in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

Holly E. Eddy

Holly Eddy, is a doctoral student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include applying critical theory to sexual education and communication within families and deliberately practicing multicultural orientation with relational therapists. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Associate and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate.