Sexual dysfunction and trait-anxiety as predictors of sexual masochism among local government workers in Enugu metropolis

Abstract

The phenomenon of deriving pleasure from pain has generated a lot of research interest among scholars; hence, this study examined sexual dysfunction and trait anxiety as predictors of sexual masochism tendency. Thirty-five (35) female workers from Enugu North and South Secretariats were participants of the study. Their age ranged from 20 years to59 years with a mean age of 43.3 and standard deviation of 8.86. Three instruments were utilized; The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (Y2), and Freund's Erotic Preferences Examination. Cross sectional survey design was adopted while multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data collected. The result revealed that sexual dysfunction did not significantly predict sexual masochism among Local Government workers at β=.03, t=.22, sig (.82), p>.05 levels of significance. Likewise, trait-anxiety did not significantly predict sexual masochism at β=-.07, t=-.7, sig (.57), p>.05 level of significance. Conclusively, sexual dysfunction and trait anxiety did not jointly and significantly predict sexual masochism among Local Government workers at F (2, 67) =.190, p>.05.Thus, all three hypotheses were rejected. The researchers recommended that sexual masochists should be encouraged to consult clinical psychologist for psychotherapy and advice on how manage their psychological disorder in order to have a fulfilling sexual life.