Sexual orientation and drive: a comparative pilot study on sexual desire

Many studies addressing sexual drive and hypersexuality stated that homosexuals are more like to report higher levels of sexual desire and compulsive sexual behaviors. Literature showed a lack of comparisons between perceived level of desire in hetero and gay population. This study aims to analyze some variables which could predict levels of sexual desire 110 PIGNOLO C. & ZENNARO A. in both heterosexual and homosexual men such as sexual satisfaction, distress, sexism and dysfunctional sexual beliefs. 312 male subjects (239 heterosexuals and 73 homosexuals) were recruited on internet. The average age was 31.95 (SD=9.62), ranged between 18 and 72 years. A self-administered online survey was available from March 2015 to April 2016. It was composed by 13 questionnaires exploring biopsychosocial elements involved in sexual response: IIEF, SSS-M, SDS-M, ASI, and SDBQ. No significant difference was found between sexual orientation and self-reported level of sexual desire. Independently from their orientation, subjects with higher level of desire reported less distress (F(2,287)=3.11, p<.05) and more satisfaction with their sex life (F(2,287)=9.54, p<.001). Homosexuals reported lower levels of sexism and dysfunctional sexual beliefs, especially to stereotypical beliefs about male (F(1,283)=15.72, p<.001) which predicted lower desire level only on heterosexuals. This study highlighted not direct effect of sexual orientation on desire level. Differences should be searched in frequency of sexual activity, easier accessibility to sex, meaning of sex for male and gay identities, and the secondary benefit which sex could lead (physical contact, pleasure, temporary filling of “emptiness” feelings, sense of belonging to a minority) more than directly in sexual desire level. Moreover, homosexual people reported to be freer from some stereotypes which, in heterosexuals, are strictly connected with sexual dysfunctions