Dr. Robin Milhausen

Research Profile

Dr. Robin Milhausen is a sexuality-researcher focusing on gender differences and similarities in sexual attitudes and behaviours. Her current research interests include: sexual and relationship satisfaction; sexual arousal, turn on's and turn off's; and the experience of sexual problems and sexual pleasure. Currently, Dr. Milhausen is working with her graduate students and a marital therapist to recruit a community sample of couples to gain a better understanding of how sexual compatibility impacts sexual and relationship satisfaction. Couples are asked to indicate things that inhibit and enhance their sexual desire, as well as report on their overall level of sexual desire and perceive sexual compatibility. Will relationship satisfaction equal relationship satisfaction? Results will be analyzed in Fall 08. Other current research projects focus on: the meaning of a marriage proposal to Canadian women; eroticizing condoms among young men; sexual response patterns in lesbian women; characteristics of persons who purchase sexual enhancement products online, and more.

Dr. Milhausen also supervises the Undergraduate Research Group in Sexuality (URGIS), a group of undergraduate students from across campus who work together on a single research project in sexuality. In 2006, URGiS members conducted a study on the role of gender and social desirability on romantic partner choice. This year, the group held focus groups on "the new rules for dating, relationships and sexuality." The project investigates whether traditional sexual scripts are still in place on a Canadian university campus. URGiS members will be presenting the results of this study at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality's Annual Meeting this November in Puerto Rico.