The Mediating Role of Sexual Mindfulness on the Relationship Between Black Women’s Psychological and Sexual Functioning

Objectives: This study examined the mediating role of sexual mindfulness on the relationship between indicators of Black women’s psychological functioning and sexual functioning. Method: A total of 448 Black women (82% Black American, M_age = 34, SD = 8.71) completed an online survey between January and February of 2023. Self-report measures were demographic information, sexual functioning, indicators of psychological functioning (i.e., psychological distress, perceived stress, and post-traumatic stress symptoms), and sexual mindfulness (comprised of mindful awareness and mindful non-judgment during sex). Data analysis consisted of descriptives and frequencies, bivariate correlations, and mediation analysis. Results: We observed a significant indirect effect of (1) psychological distress on sexual function via mindful awareness (B = -0.06, β = -0.07, CI = -0.10, -0.02) and mindful non-judgment (B = -0.06, β = -0.08, CI = -0.10, -0.03) during sex; and (2) perceived stress on sexual functioning via mindful awareness (B = -0.07, β = -0.09, CI = -0.13, -0.03) and mindful non-judgment (B = -0.05, β = -0.06, CI = -0.09, -0.02) during sex. Regarding post-traumatic stress, only mindful non-judgment during sex mediated the relationship between sexual functioning and intrusive symptoms (B = -0.18, β = -0.04, CI = -0.37, -0.04), avoidance-based symptoms (B = -0.25, β = -0.03, CI = -0.47, -0.06), and hypervigilance (B = -0.21, β = -0.03, CI = -0.44, -0.04). Conclusions: Findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing sexual mindfulness could benefit Black women’s psychological and sexual functioning, providing valuable insights for sex therapists working with this population and researchers interested in the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.