Anglia Ruskin Research Online (ARRO)
Browse
McDermott_2017.pdf (680.94 kB)

“I want to feel like a full man”: Conceptualizing Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Men’s Sexual Difficulties

Download (680.94 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 14:59 authored by Lorraine K. McDonagh, Elly-Jean Nielsen, Daragh T. McDermott, Nathan Davies, Todd G. Morrison
Current understandings of sexual difficulties originate from a model which is based on the study of heterosexual men and women. Most research has focused on sexual difficulties experienced by heterosexual men incapable of engaging in vaginal penetration. To better understand men’s perceptions and experiences of sexual difficulties, seven focus groups and 29 individual interviews were conducted with gay (n = 22), bisexual (n = 5), and heterosexual (n = 25) men. Additionally, the extent to which difficulties reported by gay and bisexual men differ from heterosexual men was explored. Data were analysed using thematic analysis applying an inductive approach. Two intercorrelated conceptualisations were identified: penis function (themes: medicalization, masculine identity, psychological consequences, and coping mechanisms) and pain (themes: penile pain and pain during receptive anal sex). For the most part, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual men reported similar sexual difficulties; differences were evident regarding alternative masculinity, penis size competition, and pain during receptive anal sex. The results of this study demonstrate the complexity of men’s sexual difficulties and the important role of sociocultural, interpersonal, and psychological factors. Limitations and suggested directions for future research are outlined.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

55

Issue number

6

Page range

783-801

Publication title

Journal of Sex Research

ISSN

1559-8519

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2017-11-28

Legacy creation date

2017-11-27

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)

Usage metrics

    ARU Outputs

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC