Sexual Desire in Socio-Ecological Context: Young Women’s Narratives of Diminishment and Connection

Abstract The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of young women’s experiences regarding diminished sexual desire within the framework of social science. The research question is: “How do young women in dyadic relationships describe their experience of diminished sexual desire?”. The study employs a qualitative research method with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach and a social constructivist view of science. The data material was obtained through digital semi-structured in-depth interviews with 25 young Norwegian women with self-reported diminished sexual desire. The study applied thematic analysis in combination with systematic text condensation. The results revealed three main themes that stand out as unique experiences at three different levels of interaction: micro-, meso- and macro-level. (1) Intrapersonal Needs and Emotional Challenges in Relation to Diminished Sexual Desire. (2) Challenges and Needs for Maintaining Interpersonal Dynamics in Sexual Relationships. (3) The Need for Psychosocial Well-Being in a Society Shaped by Normative Body Ideals and Expectations of Sexual Identity. In conclusion, this study highlights the multifactorial nature of diminished sexual desire among young women in dyadic relationships, revealing how it is shaped by a complex interplay of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal factors.