The findings of the studies mentioned above allegedly “push the boundaries of the concepts of desire and sexual orientation in sexuality studies and challenge the ongoing invisibility and invalidation of and stigma and discrimination against such attractions,” according to Dr. Johnson. The discussion even touches on emerging legal conversations around identity-based medical discrimination, an issue increasingly referenced in OB-GYN liability and mental health malpractice cases.
In an interview with PsyPost, the researcher revealed that she was first interested in delving more into the unique sexuality after “[hearing] people talk openly about experiencing attraction to established couples.”
“I wanted to learn more about this understudied attraction,” she added.
Some participants even reported that their sense of attraction was impacted by past trauma, for which they had received insurance-covered therapy or diagnostic psychiatric testing.
After conducting the study, participants were interviewed to get a better understanding of why this sexuality was the best to describe what they were attracted to.
