Exploring a Contextual Model of Sexual Self-Disclosure and Sexual Satisfaction

Abstract

Sexual self-disclosure is a critical component of relationship and sexual satisfaction, yet little is known about the mechanisms that facilitate a person's engagement in sexual self-disclosure. Individuals (N = 265) involved in romantic relationships participated in an online study testing a contextual model of sexual self-disclosure across three contexts: relationship context, sexual self-disclosure context, and outcome of sexual self-disclosure. Results suggest that sexual satisfaction was predicted by a positive relationship context and a positive sexual self-disclosure context. In addition, the sexual self-disclosure context was predicted by the relationship context. These findings emphasize the importance of examining contextual influences that determine whether an individual will engage in or avoid sexual self-disclosure and the consequences of this engagement or avoidance on sexual satisfaction.

Curative kink: survivors of early abuse transform trauma through BDSM

“…Given the large effect size of prolonged exposure in clinical research (Powers et al, 2010), perhaps the process of gradual exposure is a driver of kink-related coping with distress beyond trauma. Additionally, the prominence of cultural context within the present study aligns with the emphasis on contextual determinants of sexual behaviors that is gaining traction in sex research (R. D. Brown & Weigel, 2018;Wignall & McCormack, 2017). While individual differences and dispositional attributes are important levels of analysis, without the contextual substrate identified by participants in the present model, it is unclear whether kink would have emerged as transformative.…”

Testing the Communication During Sexual Activity Model: An Examination of the Associations among Personality Characteristics, Sexual Communication, and Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction

“…The model explicates several pathways, grounded in affectionate exchange theory, that help explain who is most likely to engage in communication during sexual activity and the links between such communication and sexual and relational well-being. Importantly, the model provides a needed addition to theoretical models of sexual communication, which up until this point have focused on either communication outside of the sexual episode (e.g., the Contextual Model of Sexual Self-Disclosure and Sexual Satisfaction; Brown & Weigel, 2018) or following sexual activity (e.g., the Post Sex Disclosures Model; Denes, 2018). By finding support for most of the model pathways, researchers can continue to test, expand, and refine the model to better understand partners’ talk during sexual activity and, more broadly, the role of communication in intimate contexts.…”

The Impact of A Marriage Checkup With Transgender Couples

“…Within the limits of the current research, relationship satisfaction appeared complex and robust enough as a starting point for a variable for a relationship intervention with transgender and genderqueer couples. In studies with cisgender heterosexual relationship satisfaction correlated positively with mental health, physical health (Robles et al, 2014), relationship longevity (Graham et al, 2011), stronger friendship (Julien et al, 2003;Mackey et al, 2004), emotional intimacy,sexual intimacy (Brown & Weigel, 2017;Yoo, Bartle-Haring, Day, & Gangamma, 2014), empathy, humor, and affection (Gottman et al, 2003). Relationship satisfaction correlated negatively with contempt, disgust, and defensiveness (Gottman et al, 2003).…”