The relationships between sexual desire, sexual frequency and fusion in lesbian relationships

[摘要] This dissertation explores the relationships between fusion(operationalised as a very high level of intimacy), levelsof sexual desire and the frequency of sexual activity inlesbian relationships of duration longer than one year. Theviability and appropriateness of the research method is alsoassessed, as this is an under-researched area. Fusion istheoretically and clinically posited to be associated to beassociated with low levels of desire and sexual activity forlesbian couples.The questionnaire used consists of thePersonal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Inventory,demographic questions and measures of the frequency of sexualactivity and levels of sexual desire. This last had to bediscarded as invalid. Participants were found via friendshipnetworks and the media, and questionnaires were distributedand returned postally. The sample of thirty-six women coversa broad range of ages'but is predominantly English-speakingand skewed towards higher education and salary levels.Spearman correlation coefficients were. calculated for thevariables. The frequency of sexual activity does not' correlatesignificantly with any form of intimacy, includingsexual intimacy. Sexual activity does decline in frequencywith an increase in the age of the participants and theirpartners and with an increase in the duration of the relationship,a finding in accordance with overseas research.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand