1 night of sleep deprivation in men distorts sex interest

Following one night of sleep deprivation, men's rating of women's sexual intent and interest increased significantly, U.S. researchers say. The study involved 60 college students who completed the Cross Sex Perception and Sex and Commitment Contrast instruments regarding sexual interest, sexual intent, commitment interest and commitment aversion before and after one night of sleep deprivation. For example, one question asked, "When a woman goes out to a bar, how likely is it that she is interested in finding someone to have sex with that night?" The study found when well-rested, both men and women rated the sexual intent of women as significantly lower than that of men. "Sleep deprivation could have unexpected effects on perceptual experiences related to mating and dating that could lead people to engage in sexual decisions that they might otherwise not when they are well-rested," co-principal investigators Jennifer Peszka and Jennifer Penner of Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., said in a statement. "Poor decision-making in these areas can lead to problems such as sexual harassment, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and relationship conflicts." The research abstract was published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and Peszka is scheduled to present the findings Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC in Baltimore.