ABSTRACT
Hypersexual behaviors could reflect psychopathology, in part, because they impair interactions with intimate partners. Methods. Hypersexual concerns were measured as: (1) concern about inability to control one’s own sexual behaviors; and (2) sexual films viewed. The outcome, sexual arousal, was measured using two indicators: (1) self-reported sexual arousal
(before/after); and (2) skin conductance response from the person stimulated (continuously). Two hundred and fifty participants completed Orgasmic Meditation (OM), a coupled, structured, 15-min manual-genital stroking. Results. Reported difficulty controlling their own sexual behaviors was not related to sexual arousal reports. Participants who viewed more sexual films reported more sexual arousal before starting OM than participants who viewed less sexual films. Strokers who
viewed more sexual films were associated with a higher skin conductance response in the stroked partner. Conclusions. Despite statistical power and pre-registration, hypersexual concerns did not predict sexual responses with a partner. Sex film viewing may increase sexual responsiveness in individuals and their partners.