Differentiation, negative attributions and sexual desire in committed relationships by Prerana Dharnidharka B.S., Mumbai University, 2007 M.S., Kansas State University, 2014 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Family Studies and Human Services College of Human Ecology KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2017 Abstract Sexual desire is important to personal and relational well-being but inevitably declines over time in committed relationships. Individuals, further, commonly report times when they desire more or less sex than their partners (desire discrepancy) which is negatively associated with both relationship and sexual satisfaction. How partner’s make meaning out of (i.e., attributions about their partner’s lower desire for sex) and respond (pursue, withdraw or engage) to moments of discrepant desire is likely influenced by the extent to which partners are able to maintain a clear sense of self in the context of physical and emotional closeness (i.e., their level of differentiation), although this has yet to be tested. Through two studies, I explored the types of attributions and behaviors in response to desire discrepancies and how negative attributions and behaviors mediate the link between differentiation and sexual desire. Specifically in Study 1, I analyzed open-ended responses from 463 participants, using deductive content analysis to examine types of negative attributions and behaviors in response to moments of desire discrepancy. In Study 2, using the findings from Study 1, I developed items to quantitatively measure specific negative attributions and behaviors in response to desire discrepancies. Using a sample of 511 participants, I refined the factor structure of the Desire Discrepancy Attributions and Behaviors Scale and used a path analysis to examine how differentiation is associated with sexual desire both directly and indirectly through negative attributions, emotions, and behaviors (pursue-withdraw). Results indicated that an individual’s level of differentiation is positively associated with sexual desire and this link is significantly mediated by negative attributions and certain negative behaviors. The clinical implications and areas for future research based on the findings of this study are discussed. Differentiation, negative attributions and sexual desire in committed relationships by Prerana Dharnidharka B.S., Mumbai University, 2007 M.S., Kansas State University, 2014 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Family Studies and Human Services College of Human Ecology KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2017 Approved by: Major Professor Dr. Amber Vennum Copyright © Prerana Dharnidharka 2017. Abstract Sexual desire is important to personal and relational well-being but inevitably declines over time in committed relationships. Individuals, further, commonly report times when they desire more or less sex than their partners (desire discrepancy) which is negatively associated with both relationship and sexual satisfaction. How partner’s make meaning out of (i.e., attributions about their partner’s lower desire for sex) and respond (pursue, withdraw or engage) to moments of discrepant desire is likely influenced by the extent to which partners are able to maintain a clear sense of self in the context of physical and emotional closeness (i.e., their level of differentiation), although this has yet to be tested. Through two studies, I explored the types of attributions and behaviors in response to desire discrepancies and how negative attributions and behaviors mediate the link between differentiation and sexual desire. Specifically in Study 1, I analyzed open-ended responses from 463 participants, using deductive content analysis to examine types of negative attributions and behaviors in response to moments of desire discrepancy. In Study 2, using the findings from Study 1, I developed items to quantitatively measure specific negative attributions and behaviors in response to desire discrepancies. Using a sample of 511 participants, I refined the factor structure of the Desire Discrepancy Attributions and Behaviors Scale and used a path analysis to examine how differentiation is associated with sexual desire both directly and indirectly through negative attributions, emotions, and behaviors (pursue-withdraw). Results indicated that an individual’s level of differentiation is positively associated with sexual desire and this link is significantly mediated by negative attributions and certain negative behaviors. The clinical implications and areas for future research based on the findings of this study are discussed. Table of Contents List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. ix Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2 - Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 4 Sexual Desire in Committed Relationships ................................................................................ 4 Inter- and Intrapersonal Gender Differences in Desire ........................................................... 4 Moments of Desire Discrepancy ............................................................................................. 5 Intra-and Interpersonal Processes Impacting Sexual Desire ....................................................... 6 Differentiation ......................................................................................................................... 6 Differentiation and sexual desire. ....................................................................................... 7 The Role of Attributions ......................................................................................................... 9 Domain-specific attributions. ............................................................................................ 10 Negative Emotional and Behavioral Responses ................................................................... 11 The Current Investigation ......................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3 - Study 1 ....................................................................................................................... 14 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 14 Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 14 Participants and Procedure .................................................................................................... 14 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 15 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Attributions about Partner’s Disinterest in Sex .................................................................... 18 Self-regulation Strategies in Response to Initial Attributions .............................................. 21 Behavioral Responses to Partner Disinterest in Sex ............................................................. 21 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 23 Strengths and limitations................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 26 Chapter 4 - Study 2 ....................................................................................................................... 27 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 27 vi Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 27 Participants and Procedure .................................................................................................... 29 Measures ............................................................................................................................... 31 Demographic variables. .................................................................................................... 31 Contextual variables.......................................................................................................... 31 Analysis Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 34 Item Creation .......................................................................................................................