Sexual psychology is the study of how individuals experience, understand, express, and manage their feelings about sexuality throughout their lifespan. Sexual psychologists explore topics such as gender identity, body image, libido, sexual orientation, romantic attraction, affection, desire, pleasure, orgasm, masturbation, intercourse, pornography, fetishism, exhibitionism, kink, BDSM, swinging, polyamory, open relationships, monogamy, marriage, cohabitation, pregnancy, parenthood, and more. The field of sexual psychology is divided into several subfields including biological, developmental, evolutionary, social, cultural, cognitive, and behavioral. Biological sexual psychology focuses on the physiological processes underlying sexual arousal and response. Developmental sexual psychology studies how children and adolescents learn about sex and develop sexual identities. Evolutionary sexual psychology investigates how humans have evolved to pursue mate selection, copulation, and reproduction. Social sexual psychology explores how culture influences sexual attitudes, behaviors, and practices. Cultural sexual psychology examines how societies and subcultures shape norms, values, and expectations regarding sex. Cognitive sexual psychology explores how people think about sex and make decisions related to it. Behavioral sexual psychology looks at how individuals behave in relation to their sexual desires and needs.
Emotional regulation involves managing one's emotions in a healthy way so that they do not cause distress or harm oneself or others. Emotion regulation strategies include reappraisal, suppression, distraction, mindfulness, expression, acceptance, avoidance, problem-solving, venting, and self-soothing. Psychosexual adaptation refers to the process by which individuals adjust to changes in their physical or psychosocial environment related to sex and sexuality. Long-term relational satisfaction involves maintaining positive feelings towards one's partner over time despite stressors, conflicts, and challenges.
Sexual psychology informs approaches to emotional regulation by helping individuals understand their own sexual desires and fantasies, manage them appropriately, and cope with difficult situations.
Someone who experiences guilt about watching pornography may benefit from cognitive restructuring techniques such as identifying and challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with more realistic beliefs. Someone struggling with low libido due to medical issues may learn relaxation exercises and sexual education to improve arousal and function. A person dealing with past trauma can use exposure therapy to face fears related to intimacy and vulnerability. Sexual psychology also helps partners negotiate boundaries, communicate openly, resolve conflicts, and navigate transitions like parenthood, infidelity, and loss. This allows for greater understanding, empathy, respect, trust, and commitment.
In what ways does sexual psychology inform approaches to emotional regulation, psychosexual adaptation, and long-term relational satisfaction?
According to researchers, sexual psychology plays an important role in understanding how individuals regulate their emotions, adapt to changes in their relationships, and achieve long-term relational satisfaction. Sexuality is not only a biological drive but also an essential component of human development that influences individual's cognitive, emotional, and social functioning (Kleinplatz & Blumstein, 2016).