A Penny for Your (Sexual) Thoughts: Qualitative Analysis of Women's Self-Described Reactions to Sexual and Nonsexual Stimuli.

Women display a wide range of subjective (self-reported), physiological (genital response), and emotional responses to sexual stimuli. Sexual responses are often assessed using quantitative methodologies; qualitative data can corroborate quantitative data and reveal novel information and avenues for discovery for understanding variations in patterns of sexual response. The current study examined women's (n = 148) responses to various sexual and non-sexual stimuli through open-ended, free response thought journals immediately after watching various neutral (nature themed) and sexually explicit video clips (e.g., solitary masturbation, intercourse). A qualitative content analysis of 842 responses was conducted by five independent coders to determine participants' thoughts immediately after viewing stimuli. Prominent themes included: (1) stimulus appraisals; (2) emotional expressions; and (3) self-reflections and disclosures, which further included participants' sexual-self-disclosures; (4) various degrees of sexual arousal (or lack thereof); and (5) sexual and non-sexual desires. Additional analyses include frequencies and comparisons of specific themes between stimulus types. Findings contribute to understanding cognitive and emotional components of sexual response.