The Relational Correlates of Sexual Desire and Distress in Turkish Women: a Structural Equation Model

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between relational factors and sexual desire and sexual distress. In order to achieve these goals, a sample of 788 married Turkish women was recruited through social media platforms between June and July 2022. The study employed three instruments to assess the relevant variables: the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women to measure sexual distress, the Female Sexual Function Index to assess sexual desire, and the Couple Burnout Measure Short Form to evaluate couple burnout. Structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the data and test the proposed models. The initial model indicated a negative correlation between marriage length, parenthood, couple burnout, and sexual desire. The employment status of the participants was not found to be a significant factor. The second model revealed that marriage length, parenthood, and sexual desire were negatively correlated with sexual distress, whereas couple burnout was positively associated. In conclusion, our study highlights the intricate interplay between various factors and their impact on sexual desire and distress among married women. Specifically, marriage length, parenthood, and couple burnout were identified as significant determinants of sexual desire and distress. These findings underscore the importance of addressing relationship dynamics, parental responsibilities, and couple well-being in order to promote sexual well-being within committed relationships.