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Dimensions of female sexuality: A factor analysis

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Abstract

The present study was designed to generate hypotheses about dimensions underlying female sexuality. The subjects were 138 undergraduate women who completed three questionnaires about their sexual attitudes and behavior. A factor analysis yielded seven factors that were labeled as follows: (1) overall level of heterosexual activity; (2) level of noncoital heterosexual satisfaction; (3) gratification from masturbation; (4) responsivity to coital position; (5) latency to orgasm; (6) comfort with heterosexual contact; and (7) sexual precocity. Orgasmic responsivity was found to be positively correlated with the level of noncoital heterosexual satisfaction, gratification from masturbation, and comfort with heterosexual contact. Orgasmic responsivity was not dependent on coital position, and latency to orgasm was not dependent on the mode of stimulation. Suggestions for future research include contrasting functional and dysfunctional samples of women to determine the etiological precursors of female sexual responsiveness.

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Myers, d., Kilmann, P.R., Wanlass, R.L. et al. Dimensions of female sexuality: A factor analysis. Arch Sex Behav 12, 159–166 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541559

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