Men and women differ in emotional needs for sex

Men and women have different emotional needs and strategies for sex, a new study finds.

Why it matters

  • Men with emotional difficulties pursue sex for self-centered reasons.
  • Older people and those better at recognizing emotions are less likely to have relationship-focused sexual motivation.

By the numbers

  • Study 1 included 572 participants.
  • Study 2 involved 466 participants.
  • Men with supportive partners are less likely to pursue sex for self-centered reasons.

The big picture

  • Emotional regulation and relationship dynamics influence sexual motivation.
  • Sex-specific patterns exist in how emotional struggles affect sexual behavior.

What they're saying

  • Some express skepticism about reproducibility.
  • Others highlight the role of emotional regulation and connection in sex.

Caveats

  • Self-reported data may not be accurate.
  • Study didn't account for sexual orientation.
  • Cross-sectional data can't show changes over time.

What’s next

  • Researchers plan to explore cultural variations in these patterns.