Examining sexual motivation profiles and their correlates using latent profile analysis

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Abstract

According to self-determination theory, sexual motivations are cardinal in relation to sexual well-being and functioning. Despite that motivations are thought to occur in combination instead of separately, this proposition has not been explicitly tested in relation to sexual motivations. To address this issue, the present two-study investigation examined the simultaneous cooccurrence of multiple sexual motivations on distinct samples of young adults (N1 = 679, N2 = 632) using the novel latent profile analysis. To document the validity of the profiles and the positive and negative aspects of sexuality, theoretically-relevant correlates were also included from inside (sexual passion, sexual satisfaction, positive and negative emotions during sex) and outside (problematic pornography use and life satisfaction) the realm of partnered sexuality. Four highly similar profiles were identified across the two studies: (1) highly self-determined, (2) moderately self-determined, (3) moderately non-self-determined, and (4) highly non-self-determined. These profiles differed from one another on most, but not all, correlates with the more self-determined profiles being associated with more positive correlates. These results contribute to a better understanding of one's underlying sexual motivations by highlighting the importance of simultaneously considering these motivations in regard to sexual well-being.

Section snippets

The perspective of self-determination theory on sexual motivations

Research on motivations (i.e., why people engage in sexual activities) within the framework of SDT posit that sexual behavior is driven by different forms of motivations that one aims to satisfy. These motivations could differ based on the extent to which they are perceived as self-determined or autonomous (i.e., self-governing and in line with one's self-endorsed values; Deci and Ryan, 1985, Deci and Ryan, 2000; Gravel et al., 2016). Intrinsic motivation (IMOT) is the most autonomous

Motivational profiles

Person-centered approaches provide a uniquely informative and holistic understanding of sexual motivations and complement variable-centered studies by investigating the interaction of the different motivational factors. Importantly, person-centered approaches rest on the assumption that respondents might come from different subpopulations characterized by different levels of motivations. The present investigation used the state-of-the-art latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify homogenous

The present investigation

Based on previous theoretical (Vallerand, 1997) and empirical works (e.g., Vansteenkiste et al., 2009), the presence of sexual motivations might be important with respect to sexual and psychological functioning. However, equally important is the co-occurrence of these motivations given that individuals might endorse multiple motivations at the same time which, in turn, might be conductive of different sexual experiences. Thus, for a more detailed understanding, the overarching goal of the

Study 1

This study sought to investigate the presence as well as the positive and negative correlates of sexual motivation profiles. To this end—apart from sexual passion and sexual satisfaction that were included in both Study 1 and 2—in Study 1, we also investigated how motivation profiles are related to other variables inside the realm of partnered sexuality. For this purpose, positive and negative emotions experienced during sex were selected given their theoretical relevance. That is, although

Ethical considerations

Both studies were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and with the approval of the University Research Ethics Committee. In both studies, the questionnaires were filled out online with the recruitment of Study 1 taking place in March–April 2017 and the recruitment of Study 2 in June–July 2017. Participants were first informed about the general aim and the topic of the study. If they wished to participate, they had to check a box; otherwise, they were excluded.

Participants

Participants

Latent profiles of sexual motivations

The optimal number of profiles was selected on the basis of various fit indices and of the comparison of alternative profile solutions (more details are provided in Appendix 3 of the online supplements). A four-profile solution was retained as a final solution and is displayed on Fig. 1. Profile 1 (including 37.41% of the respondents) was labeled as highly self-determined profile following higher than average scores on IMOT, INTE, and IDEN, average scores on INTR, and lower than average scores

Study 2

Despite the promising results of Study 1, the replicability of the findings should be further tested in order to minimize capitalizing on chance. Therefore, a second study was carried out with a different sample to assess the generalizability and replicability of our findings. At the same time, similar to Gravel et al. (2016), we wished to examine whether the effects of sexual motivations span beyond the domain of partnered sexuality. For this reason, apart from sexual passion and sexual

Participants

Participants (all different from those used in Study 1) were 632 Hungarian adults (66.6% female), aged between 18 and 65 years (M = 26.02 years, SD = 6.91 years) recruited in online groups, forums, and mailing lists.5 These participants reported their highest level of education as primary (9.3%), secondary (59.5%), and higher (31.2%); their place of residence as the capital city (44.6%), county capitals

Results and brief discussion

Results pertaining to LPA were remarkably similar to those of Study 1 with a four-profile solution being selected as the most optimal one on the basis of fit indices and profiles comparisons. See Fig. 3 for the graphical representation of the profiles. Once again, Profile 1 included highly self-determined respondents (35.44%) with increased autonomous motivations and decreased controlled motivations. Profile 2 included moderately self-determined respondents (27.22%) with average autonomous

General discussion

The present two-study investigation sought to provide a deeper understanding of the positive and negative aspects of sexuality by identifying profiles of sexual motivations using the person-centered LPA. This approach appeared to be suitable for the assessment of simultaneously present motivational factors that are thought to make up motivational profiles. Interestingly, despite SDT stating that motivations are likely to occur in some combinations (Ryan, Williams, Patrick, & Deci, 2009;

Conclusion

In sum, across two samples of young adults, four sexual motivation profiles were identified, representing a transition from the more self-determined to the more non-self-determined motivations. Furthermore, the present results showed that the endorsing multiple self-determined motivations was related to the highest levels on most desirable correlates (e.g., sexual passion, sexual satisfaction, life satisfaction, and positive emotions during sex), while endorsing several non-self-determined

Funding

The first author was supported by the ÚNKP-17-3 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities. The first, the third, and the fifth authors were supported by the Hungarian Research Fund (NKFIH FK 124225). The preparation of this manuscript was also facilitated by a traveling grant awarded to the first author.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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