Evaluating Sexual Psychoeducation in Couples With Sexual Desire Discrepancy (NCT07203417) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Evaluating Sexual Psychoeducation in Couples With Sexual Desire Discrepancy
Canada216 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
Sexual desire discrepancy (SDD) occurs when partners have different levels of sexual desire and are distressed by it. It is one of the most common reasons couples seek help, but no proven dyadic treatment currently exists. This study will test STEP, an online program designed to support couples with SDD. The investigators will compare two formats of STEP: one with therapist support and one self-guided, against a waitlist control group. The investigators will also assess how satisfied couples are and how they engage with the two online formats. This study will generate new data on how effective STEP is with and without guidance, and inform treatment guidelines.
Who can participate
Age range19 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Be a couple;
✓. Be in a romantic relationship for at least one year;
✓. Be 19 years of age or older;
✓. Experience perceived and/or actual SDD with personal and/or relational distress reported by at least one partner;
✓. Be fluent in English;
✓. Be willing to participate in 8 weekly online treatment sessions;
✓. For couples in long-distance relationships, be able to meet the partner in person and via video call to complete the couple's homework;
✓. Be willing to abstain from starting any new treatment for SDD for the duration of the study;
Exclusion criteria
✕. Cases where the discrepancy is attributable to at least one partner identifying as asexual (asexuality is not considered a sexual dysfunction; APA, 2013);
✕
What they're measuring
1
A change in relational sexual distress
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
2
A change in personal sexual distress
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
3
A change in perceived sexual desire discrepancy
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
4
A change in actual sexual desire discrepancy
Timeframe: At baseline (T1), post-treatment (2-4 weeks after STEP completion; T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3).
. Presence of untreated psychiatric conditions at the time of recruitment (e.g., depression) that would interfere with participating in the treatment and homework;
✕. Receive dyadic psychosexual treatment for SDD elsewhere during the study period.