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Predictors of Sexual Assertiveness: The Role of Sexual Desire, Arousal, Attitudes, and Partner Abuse

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Abstract

This study was conducted to test interpersonal, attitudinal, and sexual predictors of sexual assertiveness in a Spanish sample of 1,619 men and 1,755 women aged 18–87 years. Participants completed measures of sexual assertiveness, solitary and dyadic sexual desire, sexual arousal, erectile function, sexual attitudes, and frequency of partner abuse. In men, higher sexual assertiveness was predicted by less non-physical abuse, more positive attitudes toward sexual fantasies and erotophilia, higher dyadic desire, and higher sexual arousal. In women, higher sexual assertiveness was predicted by less non-physical abuse, less solitary sexual desire and higher dyadic sexual desire, arousal, erotophilia, and positive attitudes towards sexual fantasies. Results were discussed in the light of prevention and educational programs that include training in sexual assertiveness skills.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of research project SEJ2007-61824 funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and granted to Juan Carlos Sierra. The authors would like to thank the following individuals and institutions for their collaboration during the data collection process: Abilio Reig, Ana Sánchez, Asociación Cultural Galega de Formación Permanente de Adultos, Asociación de Vecinos Porto Bello, Biko Arloak, Centro Quérote, Clínica UNER, Cruz Roja de Ourense, Francisca Fariñas, Javier Fernández Agrafojo, Jordi Llabrés, José Luis Fernández Seara, José Olivares, José Pedro Espada, Juan Cachinero, Lourdes Espinosa, Luis Fernández Ríos, Olga Hernández, Ramón Arce, Raquel Rodríguez, Ricardo Folé, and Rodrigo Carcedo. The authors would also like to thank Sandra Byers, Ph.D., and Susan D. Voyer for their comments to this article.

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  1. Facultad de Psicología, Departmento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológico, University of Granada, Campus de Cartuja s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain

    Pablo Santos-Iglesias, Juan Carlos Sierra & Pablo Vallejo-Medina

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  1. Pablo Santos-Iglesias
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  2. Juan Carlos Sierra
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  3. Pablo Vallejo-Medina
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Correspondence to Pablo Santos-Iglesias.

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Santos-Iglesias, P., Sierra, J.C. & Vallejo-Medina, P. Predictors of Sexual Assertiveness: The Role of Sexual Desire, Arousal, Attitudes, and Partner Abuse. Arch Sex Behav 42, 1043–1052 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-9998-3

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