A Brief Psychoeducational Sexual Mindfulness Intervention to Bolster Sexual Well-Being

Objectives Cognitive distractions during sex are among the most common mechanisms underlying problems with sexual well-being (e.g., sexual dissatisfaction, low sexual desire). Traditional interventions that include both psychoeducation and mindfulness training are effective for improving sexual dysfunction. It remains unclear if psychoeducation about the benefits of sexual mindfulness for sexuality would also be effective, and if such an intervention would benefit nonclinical samples. We tested whether a 3.5-min online psychoeducational intervention about the benefits of sexual mindfulness and five strategies to have more mindful sex could bolster sexual well-being in two community samples. Methods Participants in study 1 (N=179) and study 2 (N=239) completed sexual well-being and sexual mindfulness measures at three time points over a 2-week period. In both studies, the participants were randomly assigned to either a control "no information" condition or an experimental "psychoeducation intervention" condition where they viewed a 3.5-min video on the benefits of sexual mindfulness. Results Across both studies, those in the experimental intervention reported significantly greater sexual satisfaction (eta(2)(p) = .02-.07) and sexual mindfulness (eta(2)(p) = .02-.05) and in study 2 greater sexual desire (eta(2)(p) = .02-.03). Facets of sexual mindfulness mediated changes in sexual satisfaction as a function of experimental condition (Bs = .32-.56). Conclusions A small amount of psychoeducation-3.5 min-facilitates small improvements in sexual well-being and sexual mindfulness. Our data supports the effectiveness of a novel, cost-effective, easily disseminated psychoeducation-based intervention about mindfulness for promoting sexual well-being in community samples.