More than Sexual Function: Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in a Sample of Women Age 40–70

Abstract

Introduction The literature provides a complex picture of sexual satisfaction and its predictors. To date, studies have provided a list of predictors of sexual satisfaction, including relational and psychological factors, but very little information is available on the direct effects of these predictors in midlife women, independently from the effects of sexual function on sexual satisfaction. Aim The main aim of this article is to provide empirical evidence on factors that predict sexual satisfaction in middle-aged women above and beyond the explanation provided by sexual function. Main Outcome Measures The three items on sexual satisfaction from the Female Sexual Functioning Index were used to assess different aspects of sexual satisfaction. Methods A sample of 86 women age 40–70 years recruited from a clinic completed a battery of questionnaires on sexual satisfaction and potential predictors, including, psychological well-being, body attitudes, menopausal symptoms, and relationship adjustment. Results Relationship adjustment, psychological well-being, and menopausal symptoms predicted sexual satisfaction above and beyond sexual functioning. Body attitudes did not predict sexual satisfaction in midlife women. Conclusions Data supported the hypothesis that sexual satisfaction is only partially explained by sexual function. Other factors involved in women’s lives, such as psychological well-being, relationship adjustment, and, to a lesser extent, menopausal symptoms, affect sexual satisfaction independently from sexual function.

Sexuality in Older Adults (65+)—An Overview of The Recent Literature, Part 2: Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction

“…In the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (DeLamater et al, 2008), satisfaction with one's relationship or marriage was the strongest predictor of participants' satisfaction with their sexual relationship. Similarly, in a clinical sample of 86 women aged 40-70 years, relationship-related indicators were stronger predictors of sexual satisfaction than sexual function (Dundon & Rellini, 2010). The importance of relationship quality was indirectly corroborated in a crosscultural study that found physical intimacy a significant correlate of sexual satisfaction regardless of gender (Heiman et al, 2011).…”

“…Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, arthritis and fatigue have been implicated as the core of physical health problems affecting sexual satisfaction (DeLamater et al, 2008;Field et al, 2013;Syme et al, 2013). Similar empirical support has been obtained for the importance of mental health problems, particularly those related to depression and anti-depressant medication use (Dundon & Rellini, 2010;Kim & Jeon, 2013;McCall-Hosenfeld et al, 2008;Scott et al, 2012;Thompson et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2014). Finally, moderate to strong associations between sexual satisfaction and well-being, and sexual health disorders or impaired sexual function (Ratner, Erekson, Minkin, & Foran-Tuller, 2011) have been consistently observed (Heiman et al, 2011;Laumann et al, 2006;Traeen & Schaller, 2010).…”

“…19 lack of interest in sex (DeLamater et al, 2008), and relationship or marital quality (DeLamater et al, 2008;Dundon & Rellini, 2010;Kim & Jeon, 2013), including spousal support (McFarland et al, 2011). In the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (DeLamater et al, 2008), satisfaction with one's relationship or marriage was the strongest predictor of participants' satisfaction with their sexual relationship.…”

“…The construct has been defined as -an affective response arising from one's subjective evaluation of the positive and negative dimensions associated with one's sexual relationship‖ (Lawrence & Byers, 1995, p. 268). Sexual satisfaction has been associated with relationship quality and satisfaction, psychological health, general sense of well-being, happiness and the quality of life (Chao et al, 2011;Dundon & Rellini, 2010;Wang et al, 2014;Zarpellon Mazo & Cardoso, 2011). The fact that frequency of sexual contact is highly relevant for sexual satisfaction (Heiman et al, 2011;Kim & Jeon, 2013 …”

“…Tapping into internalized social roles and expectations, an ethnographic study carried out among 40 Japanese men and women over the age of 60 focused on gender-specific interpretations of the importance of sexuality in older age (Moore, 2010). Although rarely addressed among older adults, body image-which has been repeatedly found important for younger women's sexual satisfaction-does not seem to be a substantial issue for aging women (Dundon & Rellini, 2010;Tiggemann & McCourt, 2013).…”