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Recent years have seen renewed interest for the study of motivations underlying the adoption of sexual behavior. And yet, there is still very little investigation into the psychological determinants of sexual motivation. To contribute to this field of knowledge we analyze the relationships between defense mechanisms and sexual motivations. Data for 295 subjects were collected online (241 women, 54 men, mean age: 23.26 years). The evaluation of defensive functioning was carried out using the Defense Style Questionnaire in its 28-item version. Sexual motivations were assessed using the French translation of the Reason for Having Sex Questionnaire (YSEX). Loving and physical motives lead most frequently to sexual relations. Positive correlations were found between mature defense styles and the number of sexual partners. Multiple regression analysis shows that defenses significantly contribute to explaining between 4.3 and 8.6% of variance in sexual motives. Regardless of the defensive style considered, the correlation is positive. Immature defense mechanisms are the main defenses related to sexual motives. Results are discussed according to literature on sexual motives and literature on defense mechanisms. Psycho-sexological consultations investigating motivations for sexuality could benefit from a differential approach based on prior assessment of defensive functioning in order to best individually adapt clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ces dernières années ont vu un regain d'intérêt pour l'étude des motivations qui sous-tendent l'adoption des comportements sexuels. Cependant, l'étude des déterminants psychologiques des motivations sexuelles est encore rare. Pour contribuer à ce champ de connaissances, nous analysons les relations entre les mécanismes de défense et les motivations sexuelles. Les données de 295 sujets ont été collectées en ligne (241 femmes, 54 hommes, âge moyen : 23,26 ans). L'évaluation du fonctionnement défensif a été réalisée à l'aide du questionnaire sur les styles défensifs dans sa version en 28 items. Les motivations sexuelles ont été évaluées à l'aide de la traduction française du questionnaire sur les raisons d'avoir des relations sexuelles YSEX. Les motivations amoureuses et physiques sont celles qui conduisent le plus souvent à des relations sexuelles. Des corrélations positives entre les styles défensifs matures et le nombre de partenaires sexuels sont trouvées. Les analyses de régressions multiples montrent que les défenses contribuent de manière significative à expliquer de 4,3 à 8.6 % de la variance des motifs sexuels. Quel que soit le style de défense considéré, les relations sont positives. Les mécanismes de défense immatures sont les principales défenses liées aux motivations sexuelles. Les résultats sont discutés en fonction de la littérature sur les motivations sexuelles et sur les mécanismes de défense. Les consultations psycho-sexologiques investiguant les motivations à la sexualité pourraient bénéficier d'une évaluation préalable du fonctionnement défensif afin d'adapter au mieux l'accompagnement à la subjectivité de chacun. Recent years have seen renewed interest for the study of motives underlying the adoption of sexual behaviour. However, the investigation of the psychological determinants of sexual motives is still scarce. To contribute to this field of knowledge we analyse the relationships between defense mechanisms and sexual motivations. Data for 295 subjects were collected online (241 women, 54 men, mean age: 23.26 years). The evaluation of the defensive functioning was carried out using the Defense Style Questionnaire in its 28-item version. Sexual motivations were assessed using the French translation of the Reason for Having Sex Questionnaire (YSEX). Loving and physical motivations are those, which lead most frequently to sexual relations. Positive correlations between mature defense styles and number of sexual partners are found. Multiple regressions analysis show that defenses significantly contributes to explain from 4.3 to 8.6 % of variance of sexual motives. Whatever the defensive style considered, relations are positives. Immature defense mechanisms are the main defenses related to sexual motives. Results are discussed according to literature on sexual motives and literature on defense mechanisms. Psycho-sexological consultations investigating motivations for sexuality could benefit from a differential approach based on prior assessment of the defensive functioning met in order to best individually adapt clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]