Sexual distress describes negative feelings like frustration or dissatisfaction about one’s sexual experiences. This is a common issue for those seeking sex therapy, and it often impacts mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Mindfulness, or being fully aware and accepting of the present moment, may help ease sexual distress by encouraging a nonjudgmental view of thoughts and emotions. People with higher mindfulness tend to have better awareness of their bodies and emotions, making them less likely to feel anxious or dissatisfied during intimate moments.

Moreover, some researchers suggest that sexual self-esteem, (i.e., feeling confident and valued as a sexual partner,) may be the key link between mindfulness and reduced sexual distress. This is because higher mindfulness may boost sexual self-esteem by promoting self-acceptance and reducing negative self-criticism. Having a positive view of one’s body and sexual experiences then lessens sexual distress. In contrast, people with low mindfulness may struggle with self-doubt and negative thoughts, increasing distress.

To test this hypothesis, a study examined 696 patients seeking sex therapy in Quebec between 2017 and 2022 to explore the links between mindfulness, sexual self-esteem, and sexual distress. Most participants saw sex therapy interns in various settings like clinics and hospitals. Patients completed a detailed online questionnaire about their mental health, mindfulness, sexual self-esteem, and sexual distress within their first few therapy sessions, which therapists used to guide personalized treatment.

Mindfulness was measured using a questionnaire that assessed five key areas: observation, description, acting with awareness, nonjudgment, and nonreactivity. Higher scores meant greater mindfulness. Sexual self-esteem, or confidence in one’s sexual abilities, was also rated, with scores above 13 indicating higher self-esteem. Sexual distress, or discomfort about one’s sexuality, was measured with the 13-item Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, adapted for gender neutrality.

The researchers then analyzed the data to see if sexual self-esteem mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sexual distress. Their model looked at both the participants’ overall mindfulness score and the five facets to see which had the strongest impact on sexual self-esteem and distress. Results took into account factors like age, gender, education, income, and relationship status to ensure a reliable analysis of the connections between mindfulness, self-esteem, and sexual distress.

The sex therapy patients ranged in age from 18 to 78 years, with most identifying as cisgender and heterosexual. Ultimately, the data revealed that higher mindfulness was linked to lower sexual distress. Specifically, mindfulness facets like “acting with awareness” and “nonjudgment” were associated with lower sexual distress. In fact, among the five facets of mindfulness, “describing,” “acting with awareness,” and “nonjudgment” had the strongest links to sexual distress. These facets influenced sexual distress both directly and through their effect on sexual self-esteem.

Additionally, sexual self-esteem played an important role in reducing sexual distress. Mindfulness was positively related to higher sexual self-esteem, which in turn was linked to less distress. Overall, the final model, including mindfulness, sexual self-esteem, and distress, explained 23% of the variance in sexual distress. These relationships were consistent even when considering sociodemographic factors like age, income, and relationship status.

In summary, mindfulness, especially aspects like awareness and nonjudgment, can improve sexual self-esteem, which helps reduce sexual distress. Paying attention to one’s sexual experiences and accepting them without judgment may reduce distress. This highlights the importance of learning mindfulness practices and self-compassion in sex therapy.

References:

• Godbout, N., Martel, N. W., Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Girard, M., & Hébert, M. (2024). When sexual distress shares the bed: The role of sexual self-esteem in the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and sexual distress in sex therapy patients. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 21(10), 951–960. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdae095