Single and Partnered Individuals’ Sexual Satisfaction as a Function of Sexual Desire and Activities: Results Using a Sexual Satisfaction Scale Demonstrating Measurement Invariance Across Partnership Status

Abstract

Although some evidence exists to suggest that single (i.e., unpartnered) individuals are less sexually satisfied on average than are partnered individuals, it is unclear whether the variables correlating with each group’s sexual satisfaction are similar or different. This research sought to examine how desire for and actual engagement in solitary and partnered sexual activities are associated with both groups’ sexual satisfaction. We first conducted a preliminary study ( n = 572) to test and refine existing measures of sexual satisfaction for applicability across relationship status. In two follow-up studies ( N = 1,238), measurement invariance (across relationship status and gender) of the resulting 4-item sexual satisfaction scale was established. Further, results across the studies showed that for singles dyadic sexual desire was negatively related to sexual satisfaction, whereas no significant link was found with solitary desire. For individuals in romantic relationships, having higher sexual desire involving a partner and lower solitary desire were both associated with greater sexual satisfaction. When analyzing participants’ responses on the desired and actual frequency of engaging in specific sexual acts, we found that for both single and partnered individuals, frequent engagement in partnered acts was associated with greater sexual satisfaction. Wanting frequent engagement in partnered acts was associated with lower sexual satisfaction for both groups, but only if the current frequency of engaging in these acts was low. These findings suggest that at least during the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting desires for partnered sex plays an important role in maintaining a sexually satisfying life, regardless of one’s relationship status. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10508-021-02153-y.

Going beyond “With a Partner” and “Intercourse”: Does Anything Else Influence Sexual Satisfaction among Women? The Sexual Satisfaction Comprehensive Index

“…Furthermore, among the 32 factors related with SS assessed, those rated as more likely to affect these women’s satisfaction were those directly related with relationships (i.e., attraction to, and confidence with the sexual partner or the absence of a feeling of obligation to do something unwanted). These results are consistent with previous findings [ 21 , 53 ], since sexuality is mostly considered as a shared function that is undoubtedly related to confidence, emotion, attraction and other partner-related factors, and has commonly been studied within romantic relationships [ 54 ]. It is important to highlight that the feeling of obligation to have a sexual relationship or the belief that a woman has to accept or be receptive to the partner’s sexual approaches (sex-for-obligation, still a common motivation/drive for sex for women in heterosexual relationships) have been reported to predict lower SS [ 55 ], hence the importance of assessing these factors to collect data to plan educative or therapeutic interventions and research designs.…”

Associations of attachment avoidance and anxiety with life satisfaction, satisfaction with singlehood, and desire for a romantic partner

“…Thus, future research would do well to examine the extent to which the effects found in the current research are accounted for by attachment security specifically as opposed to personality traits such as agreeableness and neuroticism. In addition, although our study focuses on single individuals in order to address the lack of descriptive, within‐group data for singles, without a comparison group of individuals in relationships we cannot and do not claim that our results are unique to those who are single (see Park & MacDonald, in press, for an example of singlehood dynamics that are mirrored by individuals in relationships). Thus, future research examining data from both singles and individuals in relationships would be beneficial for being able to make claims about the uniqueness or universality of our results.…”

“…Another variable that appears to be related to well‐being for singles is the extent to which they desire a romantic partner. In general, the desire to have something that one does not have is related to lower levels of well‐being (e.g., Hardin & Larsen, 2014; Larsen & McKibban, 2008; Park & MacDonald, in press). As Kislev (2021) has shown that reductions in desire for a partner over time are associated with increases in singles' life satisfaction, it would appear that assessments of singles' desire for a romantic partner may also be a useful indicator of overall well‐being.…”

The self‐assessment of genital anatomy, sexual function, and genital sensation (SAGASF‐M) questionnaire in a Belgian Dutch‐speaking male population: A validating study

“…This showed that partnered intercourse yields a more intense genital stimulation and possibly a more qualitative sexual experience than self‐stimulation. A recent paper indeed showed these same findings in a sample of over 500 men and women using an online survey assessing their perceived sexual pleasure in various sexual activities 37 . Multiple factors, including closeness to each other, building trust, feeling desired, and giving pleasure to a sexual partner have been put forward to play a role in women's partnered sexual contact 38 .…”

“…A recent paper indeed showed these same findings in a sample of over 500 men and women using an online survey assessing their perceived sexual pleasure in various sexual activities. 37 Multiple factors, including closeness to each other, building trust, feeling desired, and giving pleasure to a sexual partner have been put forward to play a role in women's partnered sexual contact. 38 Another study showed that men tend to defer to masturbation as a compensatory measure when partnered intercourse is not possible or not as often desired by the partner, suggesting that partnered intercourse is the preferred form of sexual contact.…”