Digital sex therapy or traditional IRL therapy? What do people really want?
“Are Digital Interventions the Next Frontier in Sex Therapy? A Mixed Methods Study Examining Attitudes toward Digital Sex Therapy” Is the first to examine attitudes toward digital sex therapy. Dr. Laura M Vowels and Sexologist Zoe Sever assessed how people feel about moving sex therapy from traditional therapist offices to the online world.
Published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, the results of their study, which combined both qualitative and quantitative methods, reveal a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism.
By understanding these attitudes, developers, and clinicians can create more appealing and effective digital sex therapy interventions.
Previous Research on Digital Therapies
Although Dr. Vowels and Z. Sever conducted the first study into digital sex therapy, there’s been previous research into how people feel about digital therapies.
This previous research indicated these interventions have the potential to be as effective as traditional face-to-face treatments. However, despite their benefits, they often need help in development and long-term use.
Studies indicate that while digital interventions can provide a low-cost and accessible alternative, their acceptance by people differs based on the person’s demographics. For example, research found that factors, such as being young, more educated, or having prior experience with therapy can predict a higher likelihood of using digital therapies.
A major drawback of digital therapies is their higher dropout rate compared to in-person treatments. Clients often prefer guided digital therapies, where the therapist is involved, over unguided ones. Additionally, there’s a perception that digital therapy is too generic, and many have concerns over personal data security.
While clients may prefer traditional face-to-face therapy, they are generally open to trying digital options, especially if they are seen as modern and a simple solution to their busy lives.
A Two Method Process
The researchers divided their research into two studies to give “a comprehensive picture of the general public’s views.” Study 1 was structured interviews, while Study 2 was an online survey.
Study 1
The first study explored the attitudes and expectations toward digital sex therapy by interviewing 27 participants.
Participant demographics:
- Mean age: 29.67 years
- Gender: 15 men and 12 women
- Location: 6 Canada; 12 United Kingdom; 9 United States
- Relationship Status: 14 married or living together; 13 in a relationship but living apart
- Median Relationship Length: 24 months
- Past Relationship Issues: 29.6% self; 14.8% partner; 55.6% both partner and self
The researchers recruited participants through UserTesting.com, targeting individuals currently in romantic relationships who had either personal or partner-related sexual issues. The interviews were done anonymously online to encourage openness and reduce social desirability bias.
Questions included:
- “Could you imagine doing sex therapy in an app format?”
- “If so, what do you imagine that app will be like?”
- “How quickly would you expect to notice benefits from a sex therapy app?”
- “Do you think using a non-human app would be easier or more difficult than going to a sex therapist? In what ways?”
The interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify key themes and patterns in the responses. This analysis showed various expectations and attitudes, ranging from positive views on accessibility and privacy to concerns about the effectiveness and personalization of digital interventions.
Study 2
The second study was an online survey examining the frequency of attitudes and who might be more open to digital sex therapy. It had 334 participants in total.
Participant Demographics
- Gender: 163 women; 169 men; 1 identified as other; 1 didn’t disclose
- Age: 18-77 years old; A mean age of 38.68 years
- Relationship Status: 47.3% single; 27.5% dating; 8.7% in a relationship; 47.3% living together; 1.2% consensually non-monogamous
- Sexual Problems in the Last 12 Months: 11.4% yes; 88.6% no
- Previous Use of Therapy: 19.8% yes; 80.2% no
- Previously Sought Help for Sexual Problems: 6% yes; 94% no
- Previous Use of a Sex Therapy App: 1.2% yes; 98.8% no
The participants for Study 2 were recruited through an online data collection service called Prolific. They were asked to rate their attitudes toward digital sex therapy using a modified version of the Attitudes Toward Guided Internet Inventions Survey.
This study aimed to answer specific questions, including:
- What are the general attitudes toward digital sex therapy?
- Are there different demographics that have more positive attitudes or a willingness to use digital sex therapy?
- Does a positive attitude predict a higher chance of trying digital sex therapy in the future?
The responses were rated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Attitudes Toward Digital Sex Therapy
The results from Study 1 showed several themes about the participant’s expectations and attitudes. They generally appreciated the potential privacy and accessibility benefits of digital interventions. One participant noted, “If I know that a person on the other side doesn’t know my name or face, I’d be more comfortable.” Additionally, many felt that digital sex therapy could offer an easier way to start services, compared to traditional in-person therapy
However, there were concerns about the effectiveness of digital interventions. Participants worried that the therapy may feel impersonal and less effective without face-to-face interaction. Further, participants were hesitant toward AI-driven therapy solutions, stating “Who wants a robot telling them how their sex life could be better? No one.”
The results of Study 2 showed that participants generally had neutral to positive attitudes toward digital sex therapy. Factors, such as higher education levels and previous therapy experience, were predictors of a more positive attitude. This suggests that prior therapy clients might be more open to digital alternatives.
It also found that younger participants and those who had experienced sexual difficulties were more likely to consider using digital sex therapy. Yet, the overall acceptance of digital interventions was mixed.
In both studies, many participants appreciated the convenience and innovation of digital treatment, but they were concerned about its effectiveness and the potential for it to be too generic.
Future Research
The researchers recommend future studies to replicate their findings with larger and more diverse samples, particularly focusing on individuals with a history of sexual difficulties. They also emphasize that “Understanding ways to improve long-term engagement with digital interventions will be an important next step to improving access to evidence-based and effective care.”
Sex Therapy of the Future
How can developers and practitioners make future digital sex therapy options individualized and engaging for long-term use?
Personalization: The digital interventions should tailor their content and approach for each user – rather than one-size-fits-all. The researchers emphasize that participants preferred therapy to be “relevant and personalized to their individual problems.”
Real-Time Interaction: Many participants wanted to communicate with a real-life therapist via video calls or chat. One participant stated, “I feel like it would be an app that connects you to an actual therapist.”
Data Security & Privacy Concerns: Users must feel confident that their personal information and therapy sessions are secure. The study found that worries about data security were a significant barrier to using digital therapy.
Offering Free Trials: This can help users get comfortable with the platform before purchasing or subscribing. The authors noted that participants were more willing to try digital therapy when they could test it out first.
Engaging Content: Create content that is easy to use and engaging. Participants wanted interventions that were clear, fun, and interesting. They also wanted to interact with various content at their own pace.
The future of sex therapy is here – it’s not simply about convenience, it’s a game-changer for those seeking help without stigma. As everything in the world becomes more digital, why should sex therapy be any different?
