Attachment Styles and Marriage Adjustment in Spouses with Sexual Dysfunction: A Literature Review
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17985541Keywords:
Sexual dysfunction, attachment styles, marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, psychosocial interactionAbstract
This study aims to systematically evaluate the existing literature examining the relationship between attachment styles and marital adjustment in individuals experiencing sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunctions are defined as persistent and recurrent disruptions that occur during the desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain phases of an individual's sexual response cycle, significantly impacting not only physiological processes but also psychological and relational dynamics. Attachment theory posits that the emotional attachment patterns developed in an individual's early relationships are a determining factor in adult romantic relationships, sexual satisfaction, and marital adjustment. Studies in the literature indicate that individuals with anxious and avoidant attachment styles are particularly likely to experience sexual dysfunction, negatively impacting marital satisfaction and emotional intimacy. In contrast, communication, emotional sharing, and sexual adjustment are reported to be more healthy in partners with a secure attachment style.
The findings reveal that sexual dysfunctions are not merely an individual problem but a process that affects the entire couple relationship. In conclusion, the interaction between attachment styles and marital adjustment provides an important conceptual framework for understanding sexual dysfunction and planning treatment approaches. In this context, literature findings suggest that addressing both sexual function and relational attachment in psychotherapeutic interventions can improve couples' adjustment and overall life satisfaction.
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