Women's endorsement of models of female sexual response: The nurses' sexuality study

Introduction. The current Summary of Recommendations on Sexual Dysfunction in Women is conceptually grounded on a model of women's sexual function that has not been empirically tested in samples of women with and without sexual dysfunction. Aim. The current research represents an initial effort to assess the extent to which women in a community sample endorse current theoretical models of female sexual function based upon work by Masters and Johnson, Kaplan, and Basson as accurately reflecting their own sexual experience. Main Outcome Measures. Women's endorsement of brief descriptions of current models of female sexual function (Masters and Johnson, Kaplan, and Basson) as accurately reflecting their own sexual experience and their own levels of sexual function or dysfunction as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Methods. A random sample of 580 Registered Nurses was mailed a 58-item questionnaire which assessed women's perception of the fit of their sexual experience with current models of female sexual response and included the FSFI. Results. In total, 133 women, of whom 111 had a current man partner, returned responses. Approximately equal proportions of women endorsed the Masters and Johnson, Kaplan, and Basson models of female sexual response as representing their own sexual experience. Women endorsing the Basson model had significantly lower FSFI domain scores than women who endorsed either the Masters and Johnson or Kaplan models. Conclusion. These are the first data to assess the proportion of a community sample of women who endorse widely accepted models of female sexual response as representing their own sexual experience. Women in this sample were equally likely to endorse each of these different models, emphasizing the heterogeneity of women's sexual response, and highlighting the need for additional research to guide the field's acceptance and application of particular models of female sexuality in particular situations. Women's endorsement of models of female sexual response was correlated with their FSFI scores, and findings suggest that the Basson model, currently advanced by the Second International Consultation on Sexual Medicine, may best reflect women with sexual concerns (e.g., FSFI < 26.55), rather than a single normative sexual response pattern.