The Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) assesses the subjective orgasm experience across affective, sensory, intimacy, and rewards dimensions. This study examined the Spanish version's measurement invariance in monosexual (attracted to one gender) and plurisexual (attracted to more than one gender) men and women, compared subjective orgasm experience dimensions by gender and sexual relationship history, and analyzed associations with orgasm parameters (ability to reach orgasm and orgasm satisfaction). A sample of 1,975 cisgender participants was evaluated. The ORS demonstrated strict measurement invariance across gender and relationship history, allowing for valid comparisons. Regarding these comparisons, the results support the view that women's orgasms involve stronger emotional and physiological experiences. On the other hand, differences by sexual relationship history were smaller: monosexual women reported greater intimacy than plurisexual women, while plurisexual men linked rewards more strongly with orgasm ability than monosexual men. Associations between subjective orgasm experience dimensions and orgasm parameters varied, with affective and sensory dimensions emerging as key variables for satisfaction, particularly in women. Findings support the ORS's validity for research and clinical applications. La Orgasm Rating Scale (ORS) eval & uacute;a la experiencia subjetiva del orgasmo a trav & eacute;s de las dimensiones afectiva, sensorial, intimidad y recompensa. Este estudio examin & oacute; la invarianza de la versi & oacute;n espa & ntilde;ola de la ORS en hombres y mujeres monosexuales (atracci & oacute;n por un g & eacute;nero) y plurisexuales (atracci & oacute;n por m & aacute;s de un g & eacute;nero), compar & oacute; las dimensiones de la experiencia subjetiva org & aacute;smica por g & eacute;nero e historial de relaciones sexuales y analiz & oacute; sus asociaciones con par & aacute;metros auto informados del orgasmo (capacidad de alcanzar el orgasmo y satisfacci & oacute;n derivada del orgasmo). Se evalu & oacute; una muestra de 1 975 participantes cisg & eacute;nero. La ORS mostr & oacute; invarianza estricta a partir del g & eacute;nero y del historial de relaciones sexuales, permitiendo comparaciones v & aacute;lidas. En referencia a esas comparaciones, los resultados respaldan la visi & oacute;n de que los orgasmos de las mujeres est & aacute;n asociados con experiencias emocionales y fisiol & oacute;gicas m & aacute;s intensas. Por otro lado, respecto al historial de relaciones sexuales, las diferencias fueron menos pronunciadas: las mujeres monosexuales informaron una mayor intimidad en comparaci & oacute;n con las plurisexuales. Entre los hombres, los participantes plurisexuales asociaron las recompensas con la capacidad de alcanzar el orgasmo, en contraste con los monosexuales. Las asociaciones entre las dimensiones de la experiencia subjetiva del orgasmo y los par & aacute;metros auto informados del orgasmo variaron, destac & aacute;ndose las dimensiones afectiva y sensorial como variables clave de la satisfacci & oacute;n, especialmente en las mujeres. Los hallazgos respaldan la validez de la ORS para aplicaciones cl & iacute;nicas y de investigaci & oacute;n.

Background/Objective Considering masturbation parameters other than frequency provides a more holistic view of this sexual behavior. This study aims to provide validity evidence for masturbation parameters (i.e., negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, and subjective orgasm experience) through their relationship with different measures of sexual arousal (i.e., genital response, rating of sexual arousal, and rating of genital sensations). Method Eighty young cisgender adults (40 men and 40 women) aged 18 to 30 years, who engaged in heterosexual sexual relationships, participated in a laboratory task in which their sexual arousal was recorded in response to neutral and sexual videos. Regression models were conducted to examine the association between masturbation parameters and sexual arousal measures. Results In men, solitary sexual desire (β = .72) and current masturbation frequency (β = -0.49) were related to the rating of genital sensations. In women, current masturbation frequency was related to genital response (β = .33), the rating of sexual arousal (β = .43), and the rating of genital sensations (β = .44); this last measure of sexual arousal was also related to the rewards dimension of subjective orgasm experience (β = .37). Conclusions These results provide validity evidence of masturbation parameters in individuals who engaged in heterosexual sexual relationships. The importance of considering these parameters in the induction of sexual arousal, taking gender into account, is discussed.

INTRODUCTION:Given the contradictory positions regarding masturbation-from its promotion as a healthy practice to its association with negative experiences, which highlight the complexity of this behavior-a bibliometric approach is necessary to help structure this debate. This study aims to map scientific articles indexed in Scopus to identify research production on masturbation, including trends in production growth, sources, authors, countries, affiliations, relevant terms, and collaboration networks. METHODS:A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 3239 articles published in scientific journals. The selected studies included terms related to masturbation in the title, abstract, and keywords. Articles published between 1840 and 2025 were analyzed, examining their temporal evolution, the most productive authors, countries, and institutions, as well as relevant terms, trending topics, co-occurrence, and collaborations using the R-bibliometrix package. RESULTS:A progressive growth in scientific production was observed, particularly from the 1970s onward. The most productive journals were Archives of Sexual Behavior, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, and The Journal of Sex Research. Scientific output was concentrated mainly in North America and Europe. Trending terms such as "NoFap" and "manosphere" were identified, and limited collaboration networks were observed. CONCLUSION:The findings highlight the sustained growth and increasing multidisciplinary nature of masturbation research, while emphasizing the need for broader geographical representation and continued development of this field.

Given the lack of research examining the relationship between sexual cognitions of dominance and submission-experienced as positive (PSC) and negative (NSC)-and sexual arousal, this study examines gender differences in this association. A total of 1,400 cisgender heterosexual adults (700 men and 700 women), aged 18 to 79 years (M = 35.91; SD = 13.66), participated in the study. They self-reported the frequency of dominance and submission PSC and NSC, as well as sexual arousal and penile erection/vaginal lubrication experienced in the context of heterosexual sexual activity. The results indicate, first, gender differences in the frequency of these sexual cognitions: men report PSC more frequently and women report NSC more frequently; and second, that sexual cognitions involving submission (both positive and negative) have a greater association with sexual arousal in men than in women, whereas positive sexual cognitions of dominance showed the inverse pattern. The findings are discussed considering traditional gender roles.

Background/Objective: Current evidence on the Multidimensional Model of the Subjective Orgasm Experience in the context of solitary masturbation is limited to heterosexual samples. This study explores the model's validity in LGB individuals by analyzing the relationship between its dimensions (affective, sensory, intimacy, and rewards) and different sexual arousal measures. Method: Seventy-six LGB young adults (38 men, 38 women; aged 18-32) participated in a lab task involving content-neutral and sexually explicit films showing same-sex actors engaged in self-exploration and solitary masturbation. The assessment included subjective orgasm experience (SOE), propensity for sexual excitation, ratings of sexual arousal (RSA) and genital sensations (RGS), and genital response (penile circumference or vaginal pulse amplitude). Regression analyses explored the links between sexual arousal measures and the SOE dimensions. Results: In men, genital response was key: it positively explained affective ((3 = .34) and rewards ((3 = .36) dimensions. In women, subjective sexual arousal was more influential: the RSA positively explained sensory ((3 = .34) and intimacy ((3 = .66) dimensions, while the RGS negatively explained intimacy ((3 = -.43). Conclusions: Findings support the model's validity in LGB populations, revealing gender-specific patterns.

Solitary masturbation provides a variety of benefits for the sexual health of people, and one of its most important dimensions is the orgasmic experience. The literature has addressed the orgasmic experience in terms of frequency or whether it is present or not, with less attention paid to the subjective orgasm experience. Hence, the aim of this study involved analyzing the subjective orgasm experience in the context of solitary masturbation in bisexual men, bisexual women, gay men, and lesbian women. For this purpose, 1,878 Spanish adults who engage in bisexual or gay/lesbian relationships (individuals who are sexually involved in relationships with partners of the same or different sex or same-sex relationships) participated in the study. The results showed that bisexual women reported a greater intensity of subjective orgasm experience in the affective, sensory, and intimacy dimensions, with differences in 18 of the 25 adjectives that make up the ORS, and a nearly identical trend was found between the four groups in the top six items of the ranking describing the solitary masturbation subjective orgasm experience.

Objective:A profile composed of sociodemographic and masturbation-related variables was examined in men and women in heterosexual relationships who exhibited different patterns of partnered sex and masturbation frequency. Methods:The study was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data composed of 1028 heterosexual adults aged 18-75 years (M = 37.08, SD = 11.95) distributed into three clusters previously identified in prior analyses of this sample: one characterized by high frequencies of both partnered sex and solitary masturbation (HighPS_HighM), another high solitary masturbation frequency (LowPS_HighM), and a third by elevated partnered sex frequency (HighPS_LowM). Results:Overall, the results revealed differences in sociodemographic and masturbation-related variables among the clusters, including age of first masturbation, attitudes toward masturbation, reasons for masturbating, solitary sexual desire, subjective orgasm experience, and pornography use. Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of considering masturbation-related factors in understanding sexual health within the couple context.

Given the limited empirical evidence regarding the relationship between masturbation and sexual functioning, this study aimed to examine the association between multiple masturbation parameters-age of first masturbation, negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current frequency, and the intensity of the subjective orgasm experience-and self-reported sexual arousal within partnered sexual activity. Drawing on complementary and compensatory models, gender differences in these associations were also explored. A total of 1028 Spanish cisgender adults (469 men and 559 women; aged 18-70 years) who had engaged in heterosexual sexual activity and reported prior masturbation experience completed standardized measures assessing masturbation-related variables and sexual functioning. Separate multiple regression analyses were conducted for men and women, including self-reported overall sexual arousal and self-reported genital responses (penile erection and vaginal lubrication) as outcome variables. In men, the regression models explained a small proportion of the variance. Solitary sexual desire emerged as a positive predictor of self-reported sexual arousal, whereas no masturbation parameters were associated with self-reported penile erection, which was negatively predicted by age. In women, the models showed greater explanatory power. Self-reported sexual arousal was positively predicted by solitary sexual desire and the sensory dimension of the subjective orgasm experience. Self-reported vaginal lubrication was positively associated with these same variables and negatively associated with negative attitudes toward masturbation. Overall, the findings suggest gender-differentiated patterns in the relationship between masturbation and sexual arousal. In men, results are partially consistent with a compensatory framework, whereas in women they support a complementary model, highlighting the role of subjective and attitudinal factors in sexual functioning. These results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of masturbation and its relevance to sexual health, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple dimensions of sexual experience.

Background/Objectives: The sexuality of LGBTQIA+ individuals has been less studied than that of heterosexuals. This study aimed to examine, in cisgender men who have sex exclusively with men, the association of positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) sexual cognitions of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in the contexts of solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Methods: A sample of 253 men, aged 18 to 67 years old, completed an online survey assessing the frequency of PSC and NSC and their sexual functioning in solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Mixed linear models were used to analyze the association of PSC and NSC of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in both contexts. Results: The results revealed, first, a lack of association between PSC and arousal/erection, except for a negative association with a submission PSC (“being sexually victimized”). Regarding NSC, on one hand, a positive relationship of a specific dominance cognition (“whipping or spanking someone”) with arousal and erection was found. On the other hand, a negative association of a specific submission cognition (“being whipped or spanked”) with arousal was found. Furthermore, the interaction of this NSC of dominance with the context was significant. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study highlight the complexity of the relationship between positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) sexual cognitions of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in cisgender men who have sex exclusively with other men.

The Pornography Consumption Inventory (PCI) assesses motivations for pornography consumption and has been validated in various cultural contexts. In the Spanish validation, its 13 items are distributed into three factors: Emotional avoidance, Sexual curiosity, and Excitement seeking and sexual pleasure. Given the differences in the use and effects of pornography, it is relevant to ensure that the PCI measures pornography consumption equivalently across different groups. The general objective of this study is to further examine its psychometric properties in the Spanish population by analyzing its measurement invariance across gender, age, relationship status, and sexual orientation. The sample consisted of 1,366 cisgender Spanish adults. Results indicated that the three-factor model showed an overall acceptable, although not optimal, fit across subgroups. Also, the results showed acceptable strict measurement invariance of the PCI across groups and revealed differences in its dimensions by gender, age, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, in general, its dimensions were positively associated with propensity for sexual excitation, solitary sexual desire, dimensions of the subjective orgasm experience, and frequency of pornography consumption. Overall, findings support the use of the PCI for group comparisons, although results should be interpreted with caution.

The psychological intensity of orgasm in women constitutes one of the most significant domains related to sexual health. The objective of this study was to examine the role of psychological intensity of orgasm on sexual functioning in the context of sexual relationships in a sample of healthy women. The sample consisted of 518 healthy women from the general Spanish population, with ages ranging from 18 to 62 (M = 25.56, SD = 7.29). The participants completed an online background questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Inventory, and the Orgasm Rating Scale. Results showed significant differences between women with and without a steady partner in the mean scores of affectivity, intimacy and rewards dimensions of orgasm and in global sexual functioning. Most of the observed correlations between the dimensions of psychological intensity of orgasm and sexual functioning were positive and significant. A significant multiple linear regression model was identified (F (5,517) = 15.526; p < .001) in which female sexual function was predicted by the affectivity dimension of orgasm and the presence of a stable partner. However, a second model indicated that the impact of the orgasm dimensions on sexual functioning was not contingent on the presence of a steady partner. In conclusion, psychological intensity of orgasm in the context of sexual relationships is a predictor of female sexual function. The findings have relevance for future research with a positive approach to healthy women, putting female sexuality as a priority.

Background/Aim: Sexual cognitions may differ depending on gender and sexual orientation. This study aimed to examine the effect of gender, sexual orientation, and their interaction on the frequency of positive sexual cognitions (PSC) and negative sexual cognitions (NSC) of dominance and submission. This is a seminal study to differentiate between PSC and NSC across diverse sexual orientations. Method: Participated in the study a total of 1,308 cisgender Spanish adults aged 18 to 79 years (M = 31.66, SD = 11.42), divided into four groups: heterosexual men (n = 394), heterosexual women (n = 397), gay men (n = 355), and lesbian women (n = 162). Results: Regarding gender, men reported higher frequencies of both dominance and submission PSC, whereas women reported higher frequencies of submission NSC. Concerning sexual orientation, significant differences emerged only for submission NSC, with lesbian and gay participants reporting higher frequencies. The gender x sexual orientation interactions revealed several counterintuitive patterns across dominance and submission PSC as well as dominance NSC. Lesbian women and heterosexual men resembled each other, and gay men resembled heterosexual women, more than their gender counterparts. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of considering gender and sexual orientation differences when examining sexual cognitions concerning dominance and submission.

The Rating of Sexual Arousal is a scale that allows for the assessment of subjective sexual arousal in specific contexts, such as a laboratory. It has been validated in the Spanish population; however, considering its relevance due to its relationship with important variables for sexual health, it is necessary to continue investigating its psychometric properties to expand its use. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine its measurement invariance by sex (men vs. women) and relationship status (being in a relationship vs. not being in a relationship). A total of 324 cisgender heterosexual adults, aged 18-32 years (mean age 21.08 ± 2.83), participated in the study. Participants answered the Sociodemographic and Sexual History Questionnaire and the Spanish version of the Rating of Sexual Arousal after viewing a video with explicit sexual content. The results indicated the equivalence of the measure at a strict level and no significant Differential Item Functioning across items by sex and relationship status. No significant differences were observed in Rating of Sexual Arousal scores across the sociodemographic variables evaluated; furthermore, these variables did not significantly predict subjective sexual arousal. In conclusion, this study supports the usefulness of the Rating of Sexual Arousal and its relative independence from sociodemographic variables, which highlights its applicability for research and clinical practice.

This study examines whether the gender of a hypothetical target individual who engages in solitary masturbation (male: Emilio vs. female: Elena) influences perceivers’ evaluations of sexual satisfaction and agentic attributes (achievement/status, reliability, charisma, leadership/social skills). It also assesses whether endorsement of the Sexual Double Standard (SDS) and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) predicts these evaluations. A quasi-experimental between-subjects design was conducted with 292 Spanish cisgender adults (146 men, 146 women; aged 18–32), randomly assigned to evaluate either Emilio (n = 138) or Elena (n = 154). Participants completed a person-perception questionnaire and SDS/SDO scales. Results showed that the female target elicited more positive evaluations across all dimensions, regardless of perceivers’ gender, though differences emerged according to their history of sexual relationships. Greater endorsement of SDS and SDO predicted more gender-biased evaluations, particularly when the target was female. Findings suggest that female masturbation disrupts traditional gender norms and activates hierarchy-preserving attitudes.

Background/objective:The Sexual Cognitions Checklist (SCC) is the only measure that distinguishes and assesses both positive (PSC) and negative sexual cognitions (NSC). This study aimed to deepen the psychometric properties of its Spanish version by testing invariance, reliability, differences in frequency, associations with sexual functioning in solitary masturbation and sexual relationships and presenting standard scores. Method:A total of 2004 Spanish cisgender heterosexual adults (48.1% men, 51.9% women) aged 18 to 79 years (M = 38.23; SD = 13.70), distributed across age groups (18-34, 35-49 and 50 or older) participated. Analyses included measurement invariance, McDonald's omega, MANCOVAs, correlations, partial correlations, and regression models. Norms for positive sexual cognitions were generated by gender and age. Results:Strict invariance was confirmed across educational level, relationship status, and relationship length, and partial strict invariance for gender on both the SCC-PSC and SCC-NSC scales. Age showed strict invariance in the SCC-PSC scale and configural in the SCC-NSC scale. The subscales showed good internal consistency. Frequency differences emerged, notably by gender, with men scoring higher in positive and women in negative sexual cognitions. Positive sexual cognitions were positively associated with sexual functioning, negative ones showed negative and weaker associations. Conclusions:The Spanish SCC version demonstrates reliability of its scores and provides sources of validity evidence for the interpretation of its scores, including associations with sexual functioning and measurement invariance across groups, enabling group comparisons. The availability of norms for positive sexual cognitions further supports its application in clinical settings. Future studies should include diverse populations and individuals with diagnosed sexual dysfunctions.

It has been proposed that the study of masturbation requires the analysis of several parameters (i.e. age at first masturbation, negative attitudes towards masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current frequency of masturbation and subjective orgasm experience). This study examines the effects of gender and sexual orientation on these parameters. A total of 1568 cisgender adults (493 heterosexual men, 478 gay men, 490 heterosexual women and 107 lesbian women) participated. The results indicate that, with respect to gender, men, compared to women, begin masturbating earlier, report more negative attitudes towards masturbation, experience greater solitary sexual desire, and masturbate more frequently, whereas women report a more intense subjective orgasm experience. In relation to sexual orientation, gay people, compared to heterosexual people, initiate masturbation earlier. The results also show that patterns differ between men and women depending on their sexual orientation. Specifically, whereas gay men scored higher than heterosexual people on solitary sexual desire, frequency of masturbation and subjective orgasm experience, lesbian women reported lower scores than heterosexual women on these variables. The roles of gender and sexual orientation in understanding masturbation are also discussed.

The Dual Control Model (DCM) conceptualizes sexual response as the result of integrating two neurophysiological systems (excitatory and inhibitory), where psychological, physiological, and behavioral factors are involved. Regarding DCM-derived measures, few studies have included sexual minority participants. Therefore, the present study aimed to provide additional validity evidence in bisexual and gay populations of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales-Short Form (SIS/SES-SF), a widely used scale derived from the DCM. The measurement invariance by sexual orientation of the SIS/SES-SF was analyzed, its scores were compared, and its relationship with sexual functioning was examined. 9,290 men and women were assessed between January 2022 and June 2023. They were classified into bisexual, gay, and heterosexual individuals. Results showed strict measurement invariance of SIS/SES-SF by sexual orientation in women, and weak/metric measurement invariance in men. Bisexual and gay men reported more propensity for sexual excitation and sexual inhibition than heterosexual men, although these differences should be cautiously taken since the scale does not reach the maximum level of invariance. Furthermore, bisexual women indicated more propensity for sexual excitation and less sexual inhibition due to sexual consequences than heterosexual and lesbian women. Heterosexual women reported the highest sexual inhibition due to sexual performance failure. Scores on the SIS/SES-SF subscales were significantly related to sexual functioning, especially sexual arousal and lubrication/erection. This study provides researchers and clinicians with an assessment instrument that provides reliable and valid measures to examine the propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition of bisexual and gay people; moreover, in the case of women, it allows comparison of bisexuals, heterosexuals, and lesbians.

BackgroundInterest in masturbation in sexual orientation and gender diversity research are rather limited. Extending this research field to include this type of population by considering different masturbation parameters is necessary. In this respect, various masturbation parameters (i.e., negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, subjective orgasm experience) were validated in a laboratory study with different measures of sexual arousal in persons who engage in same-sex relationships.AimOur main aim was to provide evidence to support the validity of the different masturbation parameters in young people who engage in same-sex relationships. The association between masturbation parameters and various sexual arousal measures (genital response, rating of sexual arousal and rating of genital sensations) was analyzed.MethodsDuring a lab task, 72 young adults who engaged in same-sex relationships (36 women, 36 men; age range: 18–32 years) watched content-neutral and sexually explicit films. They included scenes of self-exploration and solitary masturbation behaviors performed by individuals of the same sex as the participants. Negative attitudes toward masturbation, solitary sexual desire, current masturbation frequency, dimensions of subjective orgasm experience in the solitary masturbation context (i.e., affective, sensory, intimacy, rewards), propensity for sexual excitation, genital response (i.e., penile circumference and vaginal pulse amplitude), rating of sexual arousal and rating of genital sensations were assessed. Regression models were conducted to explain the arousal measures with masturbation parameters.ResultsIn women, the intimacy dimension of the subjective orgasm experience in masturbation (β = 0.42, p = 0.007) and solitary sexual desire (β = 0.32, p = 0.040) predicted the rating of sexual arousal by explaining 24.1% of its variance. Conversely for men, the rewards dimension of the subjective orgasm experience in masturbation (β = 0.40, p = 0.016) significantly predicted genital response and explained 13.4% of its variance.ConclusionOur findings validate some examined masturbation parameters (specifically solitary sexual desire and subjective orgasm experience) in young adults who engage in same-sex relationships. Gender differences in the masturbation parameters were observed for the relevance of these masturbation parameters for explaining sexual arousal. These findings support the relation between masturbation and sexual function.

ABSTRACT The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) is conceptualized as the evaluation of orgasm from a psychological approach. There are a few precedents regarding the association of this dimension of sexuality with nonsexual aspects, such as relationship satisfaction. This study involved 110 Spanish same‐sex couples (53 male and 57 female), ages ranging from 18 to 54 years, and an average relationship duration of 42.82 months. Most participants reported exclusively homosexual sexual practices, with some engaging in varying degrees of bisexual contact. The study analyzed the dyadic effects of SOE dimensions (i.e., affective, sensory, intimacy, and rewards) on relationship satisfaction and the extent to which intradyadic discrepancies in SOE dimensions explain the variance in relationship satisfaction. In male couples, relationship satisfaction was positively explained by the individual's affective dimension and negatively explained by the partner's intimacy dimension. In female couples, it was positively explained by the partner's rewards dimension. The analysis of discrepancies revealed a decrease in relationship satisfaction due to intradyadic discrepancies in the affective and intimacy dimensions, but only in male couples. Our findings emphasize the need to consider how the perception of orgasm may influence satisfaction with relationship quality and the valuation of bonding.