Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long‐term relationships

Female genital pain is a prevalent condition that can disrupt the psychosexual and relational well-being of affected women and their romantic partners. Despite the intimate context in which the pain can be elicited (i.e., during sexual intercourse), interpersonal correlates of genital pain and sexuality have not been widely studied in comparison to other psychosocial factors. This review describes several prevailing theoretical models explaining the role of the partner in female genital pain: the operant learning model, cognitive-behavioural and communal coping models, and intimacy models. Empirical research on the interpersonal and partner correlates of female genital pain and the impact of genital pain on partners' psychosexual adjustment are reviewed. Together, this research highlights a potential reciprocal interaction between both partners' experiences of female genital pain. Future theoretical, methodological, and clinical research directions are discussed, which may enhance understanding of the highly interpersonal context of female genital pain.

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“…After all, sexual and relationship satisfaction are strongly correlated constructs [47] suggesting an inherent degree of interdependence.…”

Section: Relationship Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Beyond a “Woman’s Problem”: The Role of Relationship Processes in Female Genital Pain

Rosen

Rancourt

Corsini‐Munt

et al. 2013

Curr Sex Health Rep

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“…Yet, researchers generally agree that sex is among the most important factors affecting satisfaction in a romantic relationship (Sprecher, 1998;Wincze & Carey, 2001). It has also found that in America sexual satisfaction strongly and positively correlates with relationship satisfaction (Byers, Demmons, & Lawrence, 1998;Byers, 2005;Purnine & Carey, 1997). This relationship also exists in China (Renaud, Byers, & Pan, 1997).…”

Section: General Self-disclosurementioning

confidence: 99%

Culture and Sexual Self-Disclosure in Intimate Relationships

2013

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Sexual self-disclosure is one of the most intimate forms of self-disclosure. Yet, there is surprisingly little research on this topic compared to the voluminous research that exists on self-disclosure (in general). This is particularly surprising since sexual self-disclosure has been found to be correlated with sexual and marital satisfaction (Byers & Demmons, 2010). Conversations about sex have also been found to be critical in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, expressing sexual consent, and sexual desires and satisfaction (Faulkner & Lannutti, 2010). Nor have scholars investigated the impact of culture on people's willingness to engage in sexual self-disclosure. In this paper, we will review current theorizing as to the extent to which culture and gender might be expected to influence young people's willingness to sexually self-disclose, and suggest possible directions that future research might take.

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“…Further, relationship satisfaction has been shown to be significantly associated with sexual satisfaction both in heterosexual couples as well as in lesbian couples (Byers, 2005;Mackey, Diemer, & O'Brien, 2000). Indeed, over 90% of the lesbian women participants in one study reported high levels of intimacy and relationship satisfaction if they also reported a positive sexual relationship and high levels of physical affection (Mackey et al, 2000).…”

Section: Mesosystem Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Models of Sexual Satisfaction among Lesbian/Bisexual and Heterosexual Women

2008

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Sexual satisfaction is an integral component of sexual health and well-being, yet we know little about which factors contribute to it among lesbian/bisexual women. To examine a proposed ecological model of sexual satisfaction, we conducted an internet survey of married heterosexual women and lesbian/bisexual women in committed same-sex relationships. Structural equation modeling included five final latent variables for heterosexual women and seven final latent variables for lesbian/bisexual women. Overall, results indicated that, for both groups of women, a similar constellation of factors (depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, sexual functioning, and social support) was related to sexual satisfaction. In lesbian/bisexual women, internalized homophobia was an additional factor. Contrary to expectations, the presence of children in the home and a history of childhood sexual abuse did not contribute significantly to the model for either group. Findings support the idea that gender socialization may influence sexual satisfaction more than socialization around sexual orientation. Additionally, given that for both groups of women relationship satisfaction explained a substantial amount of variance in sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns may be better addressed at the relationship than the individual level.

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Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long‐term relationships

Cited by 507 publications

References 21 publications

Beyond a “Woman’s Problem”: The Role of Relationship Processes in Female Genital Pain

Beyond a “Woman’s Problem”: The Role of Relationship Processes in Female Genital Pain

Culture and Sexual Self-Disclosure in Intimate Relationships

Ecological Models of Sexual Satisfaction among Lesbian/Bisexual and Heterosexual Women

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