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(https://www.psypost.org/new-study-explores-the-evolving-link-between-self-esteem-and-sexual-experiences/) New study explores the evolving link between self-esteem and sexual experiences
Dec 15th 2024, 08:00

Do satisfying sexual experiences make us feel better about ourselves, or does feeling confident in our self-worth lead to more fulfilling intimacy? A new study suggests the answer is both. Using 12 years of longitudinal data, researchers found that self-esteem and sexual satisfaction reinforce one another over time, while sexual frequency appears less tied to shifts in self-esteem. The findings have been published in the (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01461672241257355) Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Previous studies have shown that people with higher self-esteem often enjoy more fulfilling social and intimate relationships. Similarly, satisfying sexual experiences have been linked to greater happiness and intimacy in romantic relationships. Despite this, little is known about how self-esteem and sexual experiences influence each other over time.
To address this gap, researchers examined data from the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics, a comprehensive, nationally representative study that collected annual data over 12 years. The sample included more than 11,000 participants aged 15 to 38 at the study’s outset. Participants provided information about their self-esteem, sexual frequency, and sexual satisfaction, as well as details about their relationships and attachment styles.
Self-esteem was assessed using three items from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, a widely used measure of individuals’ general feelings of self-worth. Sexual satisfaction was measured with a single question asking participants to rate their overall satisfaction with their sex lives, while sexual frequency was evaluated based on participants’ self-reports of how often they engaged in sexual intercourse over the previous three months.
To analyze the data, the researchers employed advanced statistical models that distinguished stable, long-term differences between individuals from short-term, within-person changes over time. This approach allowed them to investigate how self-esteem and sexual experiences influenced one another both at a consistent, trait-like level and through dynamic, time-specific fluctuations.
The findings revealed a strong, stable association between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction. Individuals with higher self-esteem consistently reported greater sexual satisfaction across the 12-year study period. Similarly, those with higher self-esteem also reported engaging in sexual activities more frequently, although this connection was notably weaker than the link between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction.
At the individual level, the researchers observed a reciprocal relationship between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction. When a participant experienced a boost in self-esteem, they were more likely to report improved sexual satisfaction at the next assessment. Conversely, periods of heightened sexual satisfaction predicted subsequent increases in self-esteem. These results highlight a dynamic, two-way interaction in which self-esteem and sexual satisfaction reinforce each other over time.
In contrast, no evidence was found for a similar relationship between self-esteem and sexual frequency. Changes in self-esteem did not predict changes in sexual frequency, nor did fluctuations in sexual frequency influence self-esteem. This suggests that while sexual frequency reflects stable individual differences, it is less affected by short-term changes in self-perception or self-worth.
The strength of the relationships between self-esteem and sexual experiences varied across different groups. Older participants showed stronger links between self-esteem and both sexual satisfaction and frequency compared to younger participants. Additionally, women exhibited a stronger connection between self-esteem and sexual frequency than men, indicating that self-esteem may play a greater role in shaping women’s sexual behavior.
While the study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations. First, the findings are based on self-reported data, which may be influenced by social desirability or memory biases. Additionally, the measures of sexual frequency and satisfaction were relatively simple, leaving room for future research to explore more nuanced aspects of sexual experiences, such as intimacy or communication about desires.
The study primarily focused on German participants, so its findings may not generalize to cultures with different attitudes toward sexuality and self-esteem. Future research could examine how factors like religion, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation influence the relationship between self-esteem and sexual experiences. Lastly, the study’s long assessment intervals may have missed short-term fluctuations in these dynamics, which could be captured using daily or weekly surveys.
Despite these caveats, the new research highlights the intertwined nature of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction, showing that they mutually influence each other over time. While sexual frequency is more reflective of stable individual differences, sexual satisfaction appears to be a dynamic and integral part of how self-esteem evolves.
The study, “(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01461672241257355) Self-Esteem and Sexual Experiences,” was authored by Elisa Weber, Christopher J. Hopwood, Jaap J. A. Denissen, and Wiebke Bleidorn.

(https://www.psypost.org/loneliness-is-associated-with-a-31-higher-risk-of-developing-dementia-finds-largest-study-to-date/) Loneliness is associated with a 31% higher risk of developing dementia, finds largest study to date
Dec 15th 2024, 06:00

New research published in (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-024-00328-9) Nature Mental Health confirms that loneliness is not just an emotional burden—it may also have serious consequences for brain health. In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that individuals who feel lonely are at a significantly increased risk of developing dementia, with a 31% higher likelihood than those who do not report feeling lonely. This discovery sheds light on the critical role of social connection in maintaining cognitive health and preventing dementia.
Loneliness is a deeply personal experience, defined not by the absence of people but by the absence of meaningful connections. It occurs when there is a mismatch between the social relationships an individual has and those they desire. Unlike social isolation, which refers to a lack of physical interaction or contact with others, loneliness is a subjective feeling. For example, a person surrounded by family or friends can still feel lonely if their emotional needs are unmet.
The motivation for the study stemmed from a growing body of evidence suggesting that loneliness has far-reaching health consequences, including links to cardiovascular disease, depression, and premature mortality. Recent research has also hinted at a connection between loneliness and dementia, but findings have been inconsistent. Some studies found a strong link, while others reported no association or effects limited to specific groups, such as men. Researchers recognized the need for a comprehensive analysis to clarify this relationship.
“I have always been interested in psychosocial factors that affect memory and cognitive functioning across the lifespan, from middle age to later adulthood,” said study author Martina Luchetti, an assistant professor at Florida State University College of Medicine.
“In recent years, I focused my research on loneliness and social relational aspects that affect the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia because our relationships—and how we are satisfied with them—impact how we function daily. Importantly, organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Surgeon General have recognized the public crisis of loneliness and are taking action to raise awareness and understand its consequences for our society,” she explained.
Luchetti and her research team conducted the largest meta-analysis to date exploring the connection between loneliness and dementia, analyzing data from 608,561 individuals worldwide. By pooling information from 21 longitudinal studies, they aimed to clarify whether loneliness increases the risk of dementia and uncover patterns across different populations and study designs.
The team included data from prominent aging cohort studies, such as the Health and Retirement Study in the United States and similar studies across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Participants, all cognitively healthy at the outset, were surveyed about their feelings of loneliness using validated measures like the UCLA Loneliness Scale. These tools asked respondents how often they felt a lack of companionship, left out, or socially isolated. Over the years, participants underwent repeated assessments of cognitive health, which were evaluated using clinical diagnoses, neuropsychological tests, or self-reports of doctor-diagnosed conditions.
The findings showed a consistent link between loneliness and dementia. Individuals who reported feeling lonely were 31% more likely to develop dementia compared to those who did not feel lonely. The link between loneliness and dementia was comparable to other well-known behavioral risk factors, such as smoking or physical inactivity.
This association persisted even after accounting for factors such as social isolation, depressive symptoms, and physical health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, suggesting that loneliness independently contributes to cognitive decline.
“We found what we expected,” Luchetti told PsyPost. “There is mounting evidence of the association between loneliness and health outcomes, and evidence that connects loneliness to the risk of poor cognitive function even after decades.”
The researchers also found that loneliness was associated with specific types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Interestingly, the relationship with vascular dementia appeared particularly strong, possibly due to the interplay between loneliness, stress, and cardiovascular health.
In addition to dementia, the researchers found that loneliness increased the likelihood of milder cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with memory or problem-solving, by 15%. These impairments often precede dementia, indicating that loneliness may affect cognition even in its earlier stages. The consistency of these results across different countries and populations underscores the universality of the relationship between loneliness and cognitive health, while highlighting potential avenues for intervention to mitigate these risks.
The researchers also explored possible mechanisms linking loneliness to dementia. One explanation is that loneliness may lead to reduced cognitive stimulation, as lonely individuals often withdraw from social and intellectual activities that support brain health. Chronic loneliness is also associated with stress and inflammation, which are known to damage brain cells over time. Additionally, lonely individuals may adopt unhealthy behaviors, such as physical inactivity or poor diet, which further increase the risk of dementia.
“The findings of this meta-analysis confirm that feeling lonely increases the risk of dementia—including cause-specific dementias, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia—and extends the risk to cognitive impairment prior to dementia,” Luchetti explained. “There are different types and sources of loneliness that can affect cognitive symptoms across the dementia continuum. Addressing loneliness and promoting a feeling of connectedness could be protective for cognitive health in later life.”
Notably, when controlling for depression and social isolation, the association between loneliness and dementia was reduced in size but remained significant. The association was robust and independent of sample characteristics, such as age or sex. However, there was variability in the strength of the association across studies, which could be attributed to the use of different measures to assess both loneliness and cognitive status.
Despite its strengths, the study has limitations. First, most of the included studies measured loneliness at a single time point, which does not capture how loneliness changes over time. Future research should explore how persistent versus temporary loneliness impacts dementia risk. Additionally, while the analysis included diverse populations, more research is needed in underrepresented regions like Africa and South Asia to understand cultural variations in loneliness and its effects.
The researchers also noted that loneliness is a complex phenomenon, encompassing both emotional loneliness (the absence of close connections) and social loneliness (a lack of broader social networks). Understanding how these dimensions differ in their impact on cognitive health could inform targeted interventions.
“More work should be directed to identify the frequency, intensity, and types of loneliness over time and how transitions in and out of loneliness affect cognitive health,” Luchetti said.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00328-9) A meta-analysis of loneliness and risk of dementia using longitudinal data from >600,000 individuals,” was authored by Martina Luchetti, Damaris Aschwanden, Amanda A. Sesker, Xianghe Zhu, Páraic S. O’Súilleabháin, Yannick Stephan, Antonio Terracciano, and Angelina R. Sutin.

(https://www.psypost.org/intelligent-individuals-tend-to-value-self-directedness-and-benevolence-study-finds/) Intelligent individuals tend to value self-directedness and benevolence, study finds
Dec 14th 2024, 12:00

A study of over 15,000 Australian adults found that individuals with higher intelligence were more likely to endorse self-direction, benevolence, and universalism values, and less likely to value security, tradition, and conformity. Personal values were more strongly associated with intelligence than with personality traits. The research was published in (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19485506241281025) Social Psychological and Personality Science.
Personal, or basic, values are fundamental beliefs and principles that guide an individual’s behaviors, decisions, and attitudes toward life. They represent what a person considers important—such as honesty, achievement, or compassion—and influence how they interact with others and prioritize their goals.
One prominent theory of basic values is the one proposed by the Israeli social psychologist Shalom Schwartz. Schwartz’s theory of basic human values (or personal values) identifies 10 universal values recognized across cultures. These values are: Self-Direction (independence, creativity), Stimulation (novelty, excitement), Hedonism (pleasure, enjoyment), Achievement (success, competence), Power (status, control), Security (safety, stability), Conformity (obedience, adherence to norms), Tradition (respect for customs), Benevolence (helping others), and Universalism (understanding, tolerance). These 10 values can be grouped into two broader dimensions: Openness to Change vs. Conservation and Self-Enhancement vs. Self-Transcendence.
Study authors Jeromy Anglim and Andrew Marty sought to explore the relationship between personal values, personality, and intelligence. They hypothesized that many personal values would be weakly associated with intelligence. More specifically, they expected that less intelligent individuals would more strongly endorse conservation values, such as tradition, security, and conformity, while exhibiting lower levels of self-direction.
The study involved 15,522 participants recruited through an Australian psychometric testing service provider. Of the participants, 60% were female. The average age was 39 years, with ages ranging from 18 to 66.
Participants completed assessments of personal values using Schwartz’s 57-item revised Portrait Values Questionnaire, personality traits using the 200-item HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised, and intelligence using two tests from the Australian Council for Educational Research that measured crystallized and fluid intelligence.
Crystallized intelligence refers to the knowledge and skills accumulated through experience, education, and cultural learning, such as vocabulary and problem-solving using prior knowledge. Fluid intelligence, on the other hand, is the ability to think abstractly, reason quickly, and solve novel problems without relying on prior knowledge, typically peaking in early adulthood.
The results revealed that individuals with higher general intelligence tended to place greater emphasis on self-direction, benevolence, and universalism values. Conversely, they were less likely to endorse conservation values, such as security, tradition, and conformity. Somewhat contrary to the authors’ expectations, these associations were entirely due to the crystallized intelligence component of general intelligence. Fluid intelligence was only linked to security and tradition, with individuals of lower fluid intelligence more strongly endorsing these values.
In terms of personality traits, the dimension of openness to experience was the only one associated with crystallized intelligence. Openness to experience is a personality trait characterized by curiosity, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity, and a preference for novelty and intellectual exploration.
The study provides insights into the connections between personal values and intelligence. However, it is important to note that all observed associations were weak. Additionally, the study’s design does not permit causal conclusions to be drawn from the results.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506241281025) Cognitive Ability and Personal Values: A Large Sample Study of Schwartz’s Values, HEXACO Personality, Age, and Gender,” was authored by Jeromy Anglim and Andrew Marty.

(https://www.psypost.org/depressed-and-lonely-students-gain-fewer-emotional-and-physiological-benefits-from-social-interactions/) Depressed and lonely students gain fewer emotional and physiological benefits from social interactions
Dec 14th 2024, 10:00

Depressed and lonely college students experience reduced physiological and psychological benefits from social interactions compared to their less-depressed and less-lonely peers, according to a study published in (https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14597) Psychophysiology.
Social interactions are critical for emotional well-being, yet individuals with depression and loneliness often experience diminished benefits from these experiences. Prior research highlights that depressive symptoms and loneliness lead to social withdrawal and reduced emotional reactivity to positive and negative stimuli, but the real-time physiological dynamics of these interactions remain understudied.
Elizabeth Jelsma and colleagues investigated how depression and loneliness shape affective and physiological responses during interactions with romantic partners, close friends, and groups of friends, aiming to bridge this gap using innovative, applied methods.
The study involved 118 racially and ethnically diverse students from a large Midwestern university, who were asked to wear Empatica E4 wristbands on their non-dominant wrists for one to two weeks. These wristbands continuously measured electrodermal activity (EDA), a marker of sympathetic nervous system arousal.
Participants completed an intake survey at the beginning of the study to assess baseline depressive symptoms and loneliness using NIH Toolbox scales. Daily surveys were administered in the mornings and evenings via smartphones. These surveys prompted participants to recall their day’s activities, report their social interactions (categorized as time spent with a romantic partner, a close friend, or a group of friends), and self-assess their emotional states, including positive and negative affect. The 15-minute segmentation of the day allowed researchers to link self-reported experiences with the real-time physiological data captured by the wristbands.
The researchers found that social contexts elicited distinct patterns of physiological arousal and emotional responses based on participants’ depression and loneliness levels. Students with lower depression and loneliness reported decreased arousal in intimate settings, such as with romantic partners or close friends, suggesting these interactions provided opportunities for relaxation and recovery. In contrast, highly depressed or lonely students did not exhibit similar arousal reductions, indicating they might struggle to find comfort in these contexts.
Group interactions showed the opposite trend: socializing with multiple friends increased arousal, interpreted as an energizing effect among students with lower depression and loneliness. However, those with greater symptoms demonstrated muted arousal increases, highlighting a diminished capacity to engage with and benefit from the excitement of group dynamics.
The authors noted that the study relied on self-reported data for emotional states, which may introduce bias. Additionally, the use of wrist-worn sensors, while innovative, might not capture the full complexity of physiological responses compared to more invasive measures.
Overall, this research underscores the impact of mental health on the ability to derive emotional and physiological benefits from social interactions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support college students experiencing depression and loneliness.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14597) Sympathetic arousal among depressed college students: Examining the interplay between psychopathology and social activity,” was authored by Elizabeth Jelsma, Amy Zhang, Bridget J. Goosby, and Jacob E. Cheadle.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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