Running head: SEX & MOOD 1

Sex & Mood

Excellent Student

California State University, Northridge

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Sexual Intercourse and Mood

Introduction

The participant is a 26 year old Caucasian female currently attending graduate school

full-time. The participant self disclosed that she has been experiencing a higher degree of stress

since starting graduate school and it started to negatively impact her daily mood for the past four

months. She stated that her current stressors include graduate school, graduate internship, family

issues, and financial issues due to her unemployment. The participant reports that the above

stressors this semester have caused her to have an overall decreased mood and has impacted the

frequency of her sex life. Her symptoms include apathy, lack of sleep or difficulty falling asleep,

irritability, lowered libido, and avoidance of tasks and deadlines. The participant has been newly

married for a year and a half and on average she was having sex with her partner once or twice a

week. The targeted behavior in this is study was to increase the participant’s mood by using sex

as an intervention. The intervention is sexual intercourse for six days to help improve her overall

mood and increase the frequency of sexual intercourse with her partner.

Literature Review

Marital Sex & Frequency

For purposes of this research paper, the participant was concerned that she wasn’t having

sexual intercourse often enough since she is a newlywed. The term sexual intercourse is defined

in this study as, “heterosexual intercourse involving penetration of the vagina by the penis”

(Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, 2007, p.?). Many studies of sexual frequency found

that couples who report higher rates of sexual frequency also report having happier marriages

(Blumstein & Schwartz, 1983; Call et al., 1995; Doddridge, Schumm, & Bergen, 1987; Edwards

& Booth, 1994; Laumann et al., 1994; Rao & DeMaris, 1995). In addition, sexuality is an
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important dimension of marital relationship quality (Yeh, Lorenz, Wickrama, Conger, & Elder,

2006). A healthy sex life is viewed by many as an important barometer of relationship quality,

yet estimates of exactly how much sex is enough are elusive; as frequency may vary widely for a

given couple depending on their family and work contexts and personal preferences (Call et al.,

1995). For example, Call et al. (1995) have persuasively argued that sexual frequency might be

attributed to particular life changes that are associated with decreased or increased opportunities

for sex. These so-called opportunity variables, including time spent in paid labor, caring for

young children, school enrollment, or balancing complicated schedules, may minimize the time

or energy available for sex. This research may help explain the reduction in the participant’s

sexual frequency since entering into graduate school.

Oxytocin and Mood

Oxytocin is defined as, “an octapeptide hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of

the pituitary gland that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion

of breast milk” (Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, 2007, p.?). Oxytocin is produced

mainly in the hypothalamus, where it is either released into the blood via the pituitary gland, or

to other parts of the brain and spinal cord, where it binds to oxytocin receptors to influence

behavior and physiology (DeAngelis, 2008, p. 30). Wilson & Robinson (2006) explain that

given oxytocin's connection to such life-affirming activities as maternal behavior, lactation,

selective social bonding and sexual pleasure; researchers have been working overtime to uncover

its role in the brain and in regulating behavior. “In addition, oxytocin has been nicknamed the

“bonding hormone” and the “cuddle hormone” (Wilson & Robinson, 2006, p.?). “We produce it

naturally when we love, are loved, nurture another, give selflessly, or engage in affectionate

touch” (Wilson & Robinson, 2006, p.?). In addition, oxytocin counteracts the effects of cortisol,

the stress hormone and has a calming effect on the human body. The role of oxytocin was of
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particular interest to the researcher in this study. It could be inferred that the presence of

increased sexual intercourse could lead to greater levels of oxytocin levels in the participant.

These elevated levels of oxytocin could be contributed to the participants self reported increase

in overall mood. The intervention of sex to improve mood is supported by the research above.

The research hypothesis states if the participant engages in sexual intercourse more frequently

then her overall mood will improve.

Methodology
Research Design
This research study utilized an AB singe case study design. Rubin and Babbie (2008)

state that, “single-case design evaluations are recognized as the most rigorous way that

practitioners can implement the final stage of the evidence based process assessing whether the

intervention they have provided to an individual client appears to be effective in helping that

client achieve his or her treatment goals” (p. 294). The study was conducted over a 12-day period

with six days of baseline followed by six days of the intervention. The participant completed a

10-point mood scale every day upon waking before taking a shower or eating breakfast. The 10-

point mood scale included 10 data points on a self designed Likert scale (see Figure 1).

Measurement Instruments

Self-report scales were used as the measurement instrument in this study. The

completion of the mood scale was consistent throughout the 12 days and the participant self

reported that she completed it at the same time everyday to help maximize the degree of internal

validity. The only source of data in this study was the participants self report using the mood

scale. The reliability and validity of the instrument is primarily based upon the participant’s

honesty and consistency in completing the mood scale throughout the 12 days. Rubin and
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Babbie (2008) state, “That when clients do the measuring themselves they may be biased to

perceive positive results not only to please themselves or to protect a socially desirable image to

the practitioner, but to avoid disappointing the practitioner” (p. 299). In addition, the reliability

and validity of the instrument can be questioned if the participant became thoughtless in her

answers on the mood scale or if she recorded her prior answers. Finally, the participant may

have anticipated the desired change being measured in the intervention stage and her responses

may have skewed the results and make them appear more significant.

Figure 1: Self designed Likert mood scale

Single Subject Design Mood Scale: Date: _______

On scale of 1 to 10 what is your mood right now?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Low Neutral Great

Findings, Discussion, Limitations, and Conclusion

The results in the graph are not visually significant. The results of the graph appear to

have an increasing trend as indicated by the intervention measures (see Figure 2). It can be

inferred from the results that the participant’s mood was increased by having sex daily for six

days during the intervention period. In addition, the participant self reported that she felt an

increase in her mood during the intervention period despite having numerous graduate school

assignments due. It should be noted, that the participant had a consistent amount of graduate

school work due during the entire twelve day study. The results seem to support the literature

review that states that both increased frequency in sex and increased levels of oxytocin after

sexual intercourse help to improve mood. In regard to an alternative plausible interpretation, the

increase in mood could be attributed to the increased intimacy and connection gained with her
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partner during the intervention stage. Also, the physical activity of sex alone may have had a

biological response in the body, thereby increasing her overall mood.

Figure 2: Frequency of change in mood throughout intervention

The strengths of this study include being able to develop a trend taking multiple baseline

measurements. In addition, the participant and the researcher were able to see results quickly

and the intervention had a positive effect on the participant. The participant self-identified the

need for the intervention and reported that she enjoyed having more frequent sex with her

partner. The use of a self-report scale is also strength because “it ensures that the repeated

measures are administered and scored in a uniform fashion” (Rubin & Babbie, 2008, p. 299).

The limitations of the study include that the measurement instrument was not evidence

based and tested for reliability and validity. The study was not triangulated and only included

one measurement tool. In addition, a threat to internal validity could be research reactivity due

to the measurement being self-monitoring and self-reporting. For example, the participant could

have stated that her mood improved and recorded that measurement to please the researcher.
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The external validity of the study is weak because is it an AB single study design and the results

can’t be generalized to the population due to the lack of adequate participant size.

The study does not appear to have any significant ethical issues. The participant helped

identify the need for the intervention of sex and agreed to all aspects of the study. The

participant also got full cooperation from her partner to participate in the intervention portion of

the study. The researcher and participant are classmates and friends and that is the only possible

ethical issue identified in the study.

In conclusion, the literature and the outcome of the study seem to be in harmony with one

another. The participant was pleased with the outcome of the study and the intervention seemed

to have a positive effect on her sex life and overall mood. It would be interesting to conduct

further research on the chemical changes in the brain associated with sex and intimacy. In

addition, it would be valuable to conduct research with a larger sample size to examine the

connection between sex and orgasms and their effect on stress levels in the body. The research

could also focus on the effects of oxytocin on the brain by using brain scans to see the impact on

the various parts of the female brain during and after intimacy and/or sexual activity.

My Experience

During the course of the study, I learned the importance of using a single subject case

design when helping clients achieve their treatment goals. The participant was open and honest

about how stress and her decreased mood had affected the frequency of her sex life. I think that

sexual satisfaction is incredibly important in any intimate relationship and the research supports

a positive biological response to having sex. While conducting the research and analyzing the

data, I learned how important this type of design can be in social work settings. The single
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subject case designs are a valuable measurement tool that can be used to ensure evidence based

practice in social work agencies. I would use this type of research design in my practice in order

to ensure that the interventions and/or services being provided to my clients were establishing

positive and helpful outcomes.

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References

Blumstein, P., & Schwartz, P. (1983). American couples: Money, work, sex. New

York: William Morrow.

Call, V., Sprecher, S., & Schwartz, P. (1995). The incidence and frequency of marital

sex in a national sample. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 639-652.

DeAngelis, T. (2008, February). The two faces of oxytocin. Monitor on Psychology, 39(2), 30.

Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb08/oxytocin.aspx

Doddridge, R., Schumm, W. R., & Bergen, M. B. (1987). Factors related to decline

in preferred frequency of sexual intercourse among young couples. Psychological

Reports, 60, 391-395.

Edwards, J. N., & Booth, A. (1994). Sexuality, marriage, and well-being: The middle

years. In A. S. Rossi (Ed.), Sexuality across the life course (pp. 233-259). Chicago:

University of Chicago Press.

Gager, C. C., & Yabiku, S. T. (2009, October 9). Who Has the Time? The Relationship Between

Household Labor Time and Sexual Frequency. Journal of Family Issues, 31(2), 135-163.

doi: 10.1177/0192513X09348753

Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). The social

organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago:

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University of Chicago Press.

Oxytocin. (2007). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved May 05, 2010, from

Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/oxytocin

Rao, K. V., & DeMaris, A. (1995). Coital frequency among married and cohabiting

couples in the United States. Journal of Biosocial Science, 27, 135-150.

Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. (2008). Research Methods for Social Work (7th ed.). Belmont, CA:

Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Sexual intercourse. (2007). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved May 05, 2010,

from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sexual intercourse

Wilson, G., & Robinson, M. (2006). Love and Fear. Entelechy: Mind & Culture. Retrieved from

http://www.entelechyjournal.com/robinsonwilson.htm

Yeh, H., Lorenz, F. O., Wickrama, K. A. S., Conger, R., & Elder, G. (2006). Relationships

among sexual satisfaction, marital quality, and marital instability at midlife.

Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 329-343.