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The Relationship between Attachment, Dyadic Adjustment, and Sexuality: A Comparison between Infertile Men and Women

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  • Alessandra Santona

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Laura Vismara

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Laura Gorla

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Giacomo Tognasso

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Carolina Ambrosini

    (Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Anisa Luli

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Luca Rollè

    (Department of Psychology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Infertility impacts several life dimensions. Among them, sexuality is particularly affected; yet studies have mainly focused on infertile women. We aimed to explore infertile men’s and women’s experiences in sexual satisfaction, internal control, and anxiety, and the relationship between attachment, dyadic adjustment, and sexuality. The sample consisted of 129 infertile people (47.3% females, 52.7% males, M age = 39 years) who fulfilled an ad hoc questionnaire, the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ), the Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised (ECR-R), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). We found a significant effect of type of infertility and infertility factors on sexual anxiety only in infertile men. As regards infertile women, dyadic adjustment predicted sexual satisfaction, anxious attachment decreased sexual internal control, and avoidant attachment reduced sexual anxiety. As regards infertile men, high dyadic adjustment increased sexual satisfaction and a high avoidant attachment predicted high levels of sexual internal control. There was no relationship between attachment, dyadic adjustment, and sexual anxiety for infertile men. From the results, it emerges how important is to consider both dyadic adjustment and attachment in studying how infertility impacts women’s and men’s lives.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Santona & Laura Vismara & Laura Gorla & Giacomo Tognasso & Carolina Ambrosini & Anisa Luli & Luca Rollè, 2023. "The Relationship between Attachment, Dyadic Adjustment, and Sexuality: A Comparison between Infertile Men and Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3020-:d:1062764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. King, Rosalind Berkowitz, 2003. "Subfecundity and anxiety in a nationally representative sample," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(4), pages 739-751, February.
    2. Alessandra Santona & Alberto Milesi & Giacomo Tognasso & Laura Gorla & Laura Parolin, 2022. "Anxiety in Attachment and Sexual Relationships in Adolescence: A Moderated Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Greil, Arthur L., 1997. "Infertility and psychological distress: A critical review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(11), pages 1679-1704, December.
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