Perfectionism, Worry, and Cognitive Distractions' Role in Sexual Distress and Pleasure: Insights from a Transdiagnostic Framework Using Cross-Sectional Data.

Authors

Patrícia M Pascoal, Rui Ferreira Carvalho, Andreia A Manão, Leonor Pereira da Costa, Catarina F Raposo

Published in

Journal of sex & marital therapy. Pages 1-17. Jul 21, 2026. Epub Jul 21, 2026.

Abstract

We aimed to explore the associations between perfectionism, sexual distress, and sexual pleasure, using worry and cognitive distraction as serial mediators. Grounded in dimensional and transdiagnostic frameworks of emotional problems, as well as cognitive models of perfectionism and sexual function, we tested a theoretically driven mediation model in a large online community sample (N = 902; M_age = 32.89, SD = 11.21). Controlling for gender identity and sexual orientation, results showed that perfectionistic evaluative concerns were indirectly associated with greater sexual distress through sequential pathways involving worry and cognitive distraction related to body appearance and performance. Smaller indirect effects were also observed for sexual pleasure. Overall, findings highlight the role of maladaptive cognitive processes in linking perfectionism to sexual outcomes, supporting transdiagnostic accounts of sexual distress and pleasure, and underscoring the relevance of targeting transdiagnostic cognitive mechanisms in future clinical interventions.

PMID:
42479935
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 22 Jul 2026.

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