People who do frequent cognitive reassessment tend to experience increased sexual desire, according to a new study by psychologists at the University of Copenhagen. The researchers presented their findings in a paper magazine scientific reports
Cognitive reassessment is a strategy that aims to rethink the situation, change attitudes towards it, and look at the situation from different angles. This method is widely used in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Researchers used an online questionnaire to examine sexual desire, frequency of cognitive reappraisal use, and sexual shame in 218 adults. The researchers also collected information about the relationship status of the participants.
The authors found that how people think and interpret their sexual feelings is related to the strength of their sexual desire. Attempts to hide or suppress emotions during sexual experiences, as well as feelings of shame, were not associated with increased sexual desire. Cognitive reappraisal was the only factor that predicted stronger sexual desire, especially in women.
In particular, cognitive reappraisal affected the desire to have sex with only one partner so as not to masturbate. Shame was associated with masturbation, not partner sex.
“Cognitive reassessment helps deal with a lack of sexual desire or other issues that arise in a person’s private life. We will repeat the study on a larger sample in the future to confirm the results,” the authors said.