Predictors of sexual satisfaction for partnered lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults.

Abstract

Past research on sexual satisfaction (SS) has primarily developed along three lines of research: interpersonal exchange as related to SS, impact of body image on sexuality and SS, and dysfunction and sexual anxiety as detractors from SS. Furthermore, past research has tended to focus on heterosexual couples, thereby excluding potentially important predictors of SS that are unique to LGB men and women. In this study, we sought to integrate the three disparate lines of research related to SS and attend to LGB-specific factors that may influence SS. We employed multiple linear regression to analyze data from 369 partnered LGB men and women. This method allowed for the examination of how each predictor influenced SS while accounting for the relationships between SS and the other variables. Results indicated that four variables (sexual anxiety, relationship commitment, body image, and identity pride) contributed significantly to SS. Neither internalized homonegativity nor gender contributed significantly to SS; however, analyses indicated that for partnered LGB adults, relationship commitment was an important predictor of SS for women, but not for men. Overall, our findings indicate that partnered LGB adults' perception of their SS is influenced by factors that are unique to their LGB identity (i.e., identity pride), as well as by those shared by heterosexually identified adults (i.e., body image, relationship commitment, and sexual anxiety). These findings have implications for psychotherapy and SS research with LGB clients. Public Significance StatementThis study extends previous research on heterosexual individuals by demonstrating that factors such as sexual anxiety, body image, and relationship commitment are similarly important to SS for partnered LGB people. Findings also indicate that SS may be affected by LGB-specific considerations, such as identity pride. This reinforces the observation that it is important to recognize similarities among heterosexual and LGB people without overlooking unique attributes of sexual identity that impact SS. Furthermore, this study was the first to conjointly consider how key variables from different lines of SS research retain robust predictive ability in more complex designs. Findings may inform future models of SS, as well as psychotherapy practices.

Body Image and Sexual Dissatisfaction: Differences Among Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Lesbian Women

“…As for the LGBT community, little research exists, yet findings point in the same direction. Shepler et al (2018) found that sexual anxiety, relationship commitment, body image, and pride in identity significantly contribute to predicting sexual satisfaction in LGBT groups. Peplau et al (2009) compared body dissatisfaction and comfort with one’s body during sexual activity among the aforementioned groups.…”

An Explanatory Model of Sexual Satisfaction in Adults with a Same-Sex Partner: An Analysis Based on Gender Differences

“…Most studies focused on sexual satisfaction have focused their interest on the Caucasian/ Anglo-Saxon heterosexual population [8][9][10], and research among the same-sex attracted population is Int. J. Environ.…”

Associations between body dissatisfaction and relationship functioning among same-sex female couples: An actor–partner interdependence model.

“…Thus, their body image experiences are likely influenced by the extent to which they identify with each of these communities and other identity-related communities (e.g., racial/ethnic groups). In a study of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women currently in a romantic relationship, Shepler et al (2018) considered identity pride and found a positive association between pride and sexual satisfaction. Identity-related factors such as sexual minority stress have been linked to poor body image outcomes in past research (e.g., Convertino et al, 2021; Mason et al, 2018; Miller & Luk, 2019; Watson et al, 2015).…”

“…Among the limited research regarding body image and relationship functioning in sexual minority couples, Shepler et al (2018) found body image (i.e., measured as satisfaction with one’s body) to be associated with one’s own sexual satisfaction, but not relationship commitment, in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women in relationships. Similarly, a study of 217 bisexual women in romantic relationships with men and women found body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction were negatively correlated (Kashubeck-West et al, 2018).…”