If You Build It, They Will Come: Feasibility of Sexual Health Research Among Individuals Married Within the Latter Day Saint Faith

This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of survey and interview research exploring views on sexual wellness among married individuals within the Latter Day Saint (LDS) faith community. Participants were asked questions about demographics, marital satisfaction, religious practice, sexual health and sexual satisfaction. Feasibility was measured by the expression of choice related to study participation: (1) electing to participate, (2) initiating participation, (3) selection of study engagement method, and (4) completion of each method. The sample included Utah residents married within the LDS faith, irrespective of whether currently practicing. Interested participants were given the option to volunteer through an anonymous online survey or interview. The majority (89.1) preferred to participate anonymously, and fully completed the online survey. Participants completed the full questionnaire despite being asked about “taboo” topics, such as with questions regarding sexual satisfaction. We concluded that it appears feasible to conduct sexual health research among individuals married within the LDS faith. This was the first empirical feasibility examination of sexual health studies among married Latter Day Saints. Future studies should continue to examine sexual health, while noting current church participation, and type of marriage, as this information seems to be essential when discussing sexual health with LDS married persons.