Sexual satisfaction among men and women in hetrosexual relationship: Cognitive, behavioral and personality related aspects

Researchers highlight the importance of sexuality in the human life, both to individuals and as part of long-term relationships. The current study focuses on sexual satisfaction among people in heterosexual relationships. The study aims to identify factors that are associated with sexual satisfaction using an integrative approach which combines different theoretical perspectives, and attempts to examine their integrated contribution to the explanation of sexual satisfaction. Additionally, this study examines sex differences in the explanatory variables associated with sexual satisfaction. 

The variables examined in this study represent three theoretical perspectives: cognitive, behavioral and personality related. Cognitive theory focuses on a person’s thoughts, beliefs, perceptions and interpretations. The cognitive element was examined in this study using the variables: sexual dysfunctional beliefs, sexual self-schema, body image and belief in sexual double standards. Behavioral theory focuses on patterns of human behaviors. The behavioral element was examined in this study using the variables: sexual self-exposure, initiation and frequency of intercourse. The personality related element focuses on human personality characteristics. It was examined in this study using attachment theory, which relates to the manner in which a person creates and maintains interpersonal relationships. According to this theory people belong to one of three attachment styles - avoidant, anxious or secure.    

154 participants were recruited for this study (70 men and 84 women). All participants were either married or cohabiting. Participants completed online questionnaires, composed of scales measuring the study variables, demographic questions, and questions regarding background information. Two groups of hypotheses were formed based on a review of the literature. The first group of hypotheses focused on sex differences in the study variables. It was hypothesized that men will have a more positive body image and report higher levels of sexual satisfaction, belief in sexual double standards, and initiation of intercourse. Additionally, it was hypothesized that women will report higher frequency of intercourse and greater sexual self-exposure than men. Moreover, women will be characterized by a more anxious attachment style while men will be characterized by an avoidant attachment style.

The second group of hypotheses focused on the association between study variables and sexual satisfaction while addressing sex differences in these associations. It was hypothesized that among both men and women sexual satisfaction will be negatively associated with dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality, belief in sexual double standards, avoidant attachment style and anxious attachment style. Additionally, it was hypothesized that sexual satisfaction will be positively associated with sexual self-schema, body image, sexual self-exposure, initiation and frequency of intercourse.

With regard to the first group of hypotheses, sex differences were found in the dependent variable and in several of the independent variables. Men reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction and belief in sexual double standards as compared to women. Men also tended to initiate intercourse more often than women. Additionally, men were characterized by a more avoidant attachment style while women were characterized by an anxious attachment style. Contrary to the hypotheses, the other study variables did not differ between men and women.

With regard to the second group of hypotheses, the findings suggest that among men sexual satisfaction is positively associated with positive sexual self-schema, positive body image, belief in sexual double standards, sexual self-exposure and frequency of intercourse. Sexual satisfaction is negatively associated with avoidant attachment style. Among women sexual satisfaction is positively associated with sexual self-schema, sexual self-exposure, equal initiation of intercourse between partners and frequency of intercourse. Sexual satisfaction is negatively associated with women’s dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality.

As for the integrated contribution of cognitive, behavioral and personality related characteristics to the explanation of sexual satisfaction, the findings suggest that the behavioral characteristics contribute most to the explanation of sexual satisfaction. Additionally, frequency of intercourse and sexual self-exposure were found to mediate the association between sexual self-schema and sexual satisfaction.   

Given the lack of an integrative approach to the explanation of sexual satisfaction, the importance of the current study is in the presentation of a broad multi-dimensional perspective on this topic. In addition, the study highlights the importance of acknowledging and identifying the existing sex differences for gaining a deep understanding of sexuality. Researchers and therapists can use these findings as a theoretical basis for the development of intervention models. Such interventions should be adapted to the patient's sex and include the change of cognitive and behavioral patterns, as well as reduction of avoidance levels. In addition to the clinical implications, the findings of suggest several directions for future research, such as sexual satisfaction among people belonging to the LGBT community, and conducting a dyadic study, including input from both partners in a relationship, which will enable to examine sexual satisfaction within a wider perspective.