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Stress and sex

Sex has a special place in the study of the fundamentals of ergology since not only is it indicative of the overall level of excess stress in the individual, but it is the most consistently sub-cognitively driven behaviour humans perform.

Add to this the obvious stress-building and releasing aspects of sex - from initial attraction to fulfillment – and it is clearly an important area of study.

Indeed, so exceptional is sex that rationalizing motives about attraction, love, sex and the formation of long-term partnerships receives a unique level of disapproval in western society.

Re-strategizing sub-cognitive sexual dissatisfaction therapy for patients exhibiting symptoms of excess slow-stress using metaphoric and imagery models in keeping with Janssen, E. & Bancroft, J. (2006). The Dual-Control Model: The rôle of sexual inhibition & excitation in sexual arousal and behaviour.  

Possibly because of its largely sub-cognitive nature, the perception by an individual that they do not function well sexually – and in particular carrying beliefs of sexual dissatisfaction for oneself or a partner, is known to facilitate depression into other parts of life – including work. 

The relationship between sexual motivation and stress is a very complex one.  Erick Janssen and John Bancroft have developed a dual-control model based upon reported observations by male and female sildenafil (e.g. Viagra®) users.  This has considerable implications for those in the talking therapies who use metaphor and imagery. This project, led by this Institute, is being supervised at the University of Sydney in a post-graduate programme.

Examining the belief changes associated with the increased availability and use of sexual pornography over the past 15 years particularly with regard to: (a) generational differences and (b) people reporting high levels of job and other slow-stress factors as having a significant effect upon their quality of life.

Fifteen years ago users of pornography were the butt of ‘top-shelf’ jokes and were seen to be either sad or perverse.  The majority of users within stable relationships consumed pornography alone and the parallel belief associated with users was that they were unfaithful to the relationship in their behaviour. Today, satellite television and the internet have changed beliefs – but how and to what extent?  A very significant number of men and women reporting high levels of excess stress declare that pornography is an aid to de-stressing.  Are there significant side-effects for them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research areas

Job-stress in the public sector

Job-stress in the banking & finance sector

Job-stress and women

Job-stress education

Physical effects of stress

Stress & sex

Stress in our environment

When & how job-stress should be reported

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The Research Institute for Clinical Ergology. Registered Charity Number SC038777 7 January, 2009