Emotional drive in sexual behavior: an exploratory assessment of anchored hedonic values and profiles
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction Prior literature has shown how emotional variables applied to sexual behavior can be differentiated into two dimensions: an emotional context (EC) as a processing state and emotional drive (ED) as a motivation specifically oriented to each stimulus. Following this rationale, we aim to explore the full picture of ED values and profiles in an anchored repertoire of sexual behavior. Methods A survey was conducted using an ad hoc questionnaire systematically developed based on a prior review. Approaching and avoiding ED and dissonance scores were defined and summarized. An unsupervised variable selection was performed to detect the most discriminative factors according to the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Cluster analysis was performed on ordinal data using Latent Block Model co-clustering. Results The average scores showed a sample difference in responses, either in approaching ( t = −9.86, p < 0.01) or avoiding values ( t = −9.56, p < 0.01), finding that a higher ED was the most common in both factors. This difference was also found in reporting other behaviors with a higher than low dissonance ( t = −11.28, p < 0.01), although its absence was the most common outcome. The variable selection revealed that, unlike sets of behavior, accounting for more than 99% of the variance. The cluster analysis yielded four clusters and eight classes for approaching ED and three clusters and six classes for avoiding ED. Discussion Our results reveal the importance of considering both positive and negative ED within an exhaustive repertoire and the usual experience of dissonance in the motivation of sexual behavior. All these variables must be considered separately to obtain a full picture and create proper profile descriptions.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7130513251