There are many temptations to organize our life around the experience of earlier trauma. But that may shortchange the future—which starts by our envisioning something better.
Posted June 29, 2022 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan
Sexual satisfaction refers to a positive subjective evaluation of one’s sexual relationship. An important question is whether sexual satisfaction can be predicted; and if so, what would be its strongest predictor.
Published in the May issue of Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, a paper by Vowels et al. examines individual and relational factors in order to identify the strongest predictor of sexual satisfaction.
Sample: 891 (31% male, 3% genderqueer); average age of 33 years old; 88% White; 54% straight, 21% bisexual, 11% gay, and 7% lesbian; 36% married, 27% cohabiting, 19% in a relationship, and 12% single. Average relationship length of 6.2 years.
Sample: 955 (42% male, 1% genderqueer); average age of 31 years old; 87% White; 56% straight, 41% bisexual; 60% married. Average relationship length of 7.4 years.
Most variables were those used in the first sample, with the addition of the Romantic Love Scale to assess romantic love (e.g., exclusiveness, dependency, and affiliative needs).
Analysis of data showed it is possible to predict 48-62% of the “variance in sexual satisfaction using a random forest algorithm, up to two to three times more than previous studies even after deleting relationship satisfaction from the model.”
The results indicated that, across both samples, relationship satisfaction was the best predictor of sexual satisfaction. Also predictive, but to a lesser extent, were solitary and dyadic desire.
Moreover, Sample 1 participants who viewed sex as a central part of their relationship and participants who had intercourse on a regular basis reported higher satisfaction. In Sample 2, the same was true for those who experienced higher levels of romantic love toward their partner and frequently engaged in more diverse sexual behaviors (e.g., mutual masturbation, oral sex).
The data also suggest the existence of gender differences in predictors of sexual satisfaction. For instance, attachment avoidance (i.e. fear and discomfort with intimacy and closeness) affected women significantly more than men; women who had higher levels of attachment avoidance experienced lower sexual satisfaction.
Partner variables were also predictive. For female participants, their romantic partner’s “sexual satisfaction was just as important a predictor for their own sexual satisfaction than their relationship satisfaction.” For men, the romantic partner’s sexual satisfaction mattered much less. Why? Perhaps because women, unlike men, are socially expected to prioritize their boyfriend’s or husband’s pleasure.
Sexual satisfaction is a major contributor to relationship satisfaction and well-being.
The studies reviewed here found that who you are (e.g., in terms of gender, sexual orientation, religiousness, attitudes, mental illness) is not as predictive of sexual satisfaction as are your relationship and sexual activities as a couple.
Specifically, an analysis of data on 377 couples concluded: The most powerful predictors of sexual satisfaction are relationship variables such as relationship satisfaction, romantic love, dyadic sexual desire, and the perceived importance of sex in the relationship.
So, given the above finding, what are some ways to improve sexual satisfaction? Here are a few suggestions to help you and your partner:
Arash Emamzadeh attended the University of British Columbia in Canada, where he studied genetics and psychology. He has also done graduate work in clinical psychology and neuropsychology in U.S.
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There are many temptations to organize our life around the experience of earlier trauma. But that may shortchange the future—which starts by our envisioning something better.