https://www.sexology.ro/jurnal
ISSN 2668-7194 (print), ISSN 2668-9987 (online)
DOI: 10.46388/ijass.2023.1.5
International Journal of Advanced Studies in Sexology
© Sexology Institute of Romania
Vol. 5(1), 2023, pp. 39-41
STRAIN AND INTIMATE RELATIONS
MARTINA PINTEA-TRIFU¹, DRAGOȘ TRIFU², CRISTIAN DELCEA³*, ANDREA MÜLLER-FABIAN⁴
¹Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dept. of Cell and Molecular Biology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2
Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dept. of Urology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
³Sexology Institute, Dept. of Advanced Studies in Sexology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
⁴Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
*Corresponding author e-mail: cristian.delcea.cj@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction. Affectional expression plays an important role in the dyadic adjustment in couples. It measures the individual's satisfaction towards emotionality and sexuality expression in the relationship (1).
This study aims to analyse the association between strain and affectional expression.
Material and Method. We selected 30 patients who declared themselves strained for the experimental
group and 30 patients who declared not to be strained for the control group. We analysed the association
between strain and agreement on sex relations and also the association between strain and feeling too
tired for sex. Microsoft Excel and MedCalc were used for statistics
Results. The statistical analysis showed that subjects who declared themselves strained at the moment
of evaluation had 14,5 more times disagreements with their partner regarding sex relations [OR=14,5,
95% CI (1,7177-122,4), P=0,0140]. Even though strained subjects were 1,96 times more tired for sex than
subjects who did not consider themselves strained at the moment, the value did not reach statistical significance [OR=1,96, 95% CI (0,7023-5,4788), P=0,1986].
Conclusion. The affectional expression is being disturbed by the current state of strain, especially the couples' agreement on intimate relations. In order to avoid separation and divorce, there is need of psychotherapy, support and campaigns targeting strain, anxiety, depression, work-life balance and importance
of sleep.
Key words: strain, stress, intimate relations, fatigue, couples.
INTRODUCTION
Affectional expression plays an important
role in the dyadic adjustment in couples.
It measures the individual’s satisfaction
towards emotionality and sexuality expression
in the relationship (1).
Disagreement regarding sex relations
may, also, lead to depressive symptoms (2).
One of the most important skills of intimate
conversation is to express tolerance, empathy
and understanding towards your partner
during an intimate conversation (3).
This study aims to analyse the association
between strain and affectional expression
(including the extent of agreement about
sex relations and feeling tired for sexual
intercourse).
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PINTEA-TRIFU et al.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
RESULTS
From a sample of patients who presented
themselves for medical examination in the dermatovenereology, urology or gynecology outpatient clinic and completed a questionnaire
about tension, stress and couple relationships,
the subjects of this study were chosen.
Thus, the subjects of the study were selected form the patients who declared they have a
couple relationship.
We selected the first 30 patients who declared themselves strained for the experimental group and the first 30 patients who declared
not to be strained for the control group.
We analysed the association between strain
and agreement on sex relations and also the association between strain and feeling too tired
for sex.
Microsoft Excel and MedCalc were used
for statistics. The extent of agreement with the
partner regarding sex relations was evaluated
on a 0 to 5 scale (5 = always agree, 4 = almost
always agree, 3 = occasionally disagree, 2 = frequently disagree, 1 = almost always disagree,
0 = always disagree). We considered 3-5 scores
as agreement on sex relations and 2-0 scores as
disagreement.
Feeling too tired for sex was evaluated
with a question with a yes/no answear.
The subjects enrolled in the study were
19 to 61 years old. 51 (85%) were women and
9 (15%) were men. 25 (41,66%) of individuals
come from the urban environment and 35
(58,33%) come from the rural environment.
The statistical analysis showed that
subjects who declared themselves strained at
the moment of evaluation had 14,5 more times
disagreements with their partner regarding
sex relations [OR=14,5, 95% CI (1,7177-122,4),
P=0,0140] (Fig. 1).
Even though strained subjects were 1,96
times more tired for sex than subjects who
did not consider themselves strained at the
moment, the value did not reach statistical
significance [OR=1,96, 95% CI (0,7023-5,4788),
P=0,1986].
DISCUSSIONS
It is possible that the current state of tension
makes people focus on the phenomenon that
worries them and that they no longer have
time and availability to listen and understand
their partner’s wishes. On the other hand, there
is the possibility that disagreements regarding
sex relations to be so strong as to create tensions
in the couple, tensions that spread across the
Relation between strain and agreement over
intimate relations
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
disagreement
agreement
Strained
Not strained
Fig. 1. Relation between strain and agreement over intimate relations
Fig.1. Relation between strain and agreement over intimate relations
Even though strained subjects were 1,96 times more tired for sex than subjects who did
not
consider
themselves strained at the moment, the value did not reach statistical significance
40
[OR=1,96, 95% CI (0,7023 5,4788), P=0,1986].
Discussions
Strain and intimate relations
entire spectrum of the person’s activities, not
only at home and not only with the partner.
A study, including subjects from 3
European countries, evaluated job-related
strain and sexual health difficulties in men.
Authors found out men with job-related
concern had lower sexual satisfaction. The
negative mood was considered to link the
two phenomena (4). Another study, on Asian
subjects, emphasized that fatigue and stress
have negative effects on sexual activity and
spontaneity, especially during weekdays when
because of the hectic days, the frequency of
intercourse was lower (5). Our results show
that also on the Romanian population strain
is associated with feeling too tired for sex, but
maybe because the sample of subjects was too
small, it was not statistically significant. It is
possible that the somatization of some states of
concern leads to the impression of fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
The affectional expression is being disturbed by the current state of strain, especially
the couples’ agreement on intimate relations.
In order to avoid separation and divorce, there
is need of psychotherapy, support and campaigns targeting strain, anxiety, depression,
work-life balance and importance of sleep.
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