The mediating role of sexual motives between attachment orientation and narcissism to sexual satisfaction and functioning among couples: A dyadic perspective

Background: Sexual satisfaction and function are assumed to be valued goals for most human beings in most cultures and are thought to be the joint result of individual and partner characteristics and couple-level processes over the course of romantic relationships. However, the exact nature of the association between individual and partner characteristics and sexual satisfaction and functioning is not quite clear. Too little is known about the potentially mutual and concurrent impact of the individual and the partner on sexual satisfaction and functioning, whether in couples in enduring relationships or in relationships of any duration. Efforts to understand sexual satisfaction and functioning at the individual level of analysis have proven informative and limited in scope to half of the dyadic equation.

Objective: The current study sought to understand the mutual impact of individual and partner characteristics on sexual satisfaction and functioning. To do so, we investigated individual and partner correlates of these outcomes in a sample of co-parenting, heterosexual couples in enduring relationships and adopted a dyadic approach to analyzing a cluster of variables. The current dissertation investigates of the link between two personality structures: Attachment orientation, narcissism, and sexual satisfaction and functioning of couples.

Attachment orientation and narcissistic personality trait were used as frameworks to investigate relationship satisfaction and have been related to numerous relationship-oriented behaviors. However, their impact on sexual satisfaction and functioning within the relationship is not quite clear, and has been limitedly investigated. Both attachment and narcissism are built on the basis of adequate, empathic and responsive response from the other (attachment figure/ selfobject). The extent of which the attachment and narcissistic needs are satisfied in the childhood shapes interpersonal relationships in adulthood. Insecure attached and narcissistic individuals may view their partner as an external object (attachment figure/ selfobject) rather than as independent persons and expected them to fulfill frustrated attachment or selfobject needs. Based on the motivational theory, this study examines how sexual contact between partners fulfills attachment or selfobject needs, by examining different sexual motives (reasons to engage in sex) as a mediator between attachment orientation or narcissism and sexual satisfaction and functioning in enduring relationships. The present study offers a dyadic perspective on a mediating process to fully understand these correlations among co-parenting, heterosexual couples in enduring relationship. All correlations were examined from a dyadic perspective, considering both partners' reports on all variables tested.

Method: All studies were conducted among 128 non-clinical couples (N=256) in enduring relationships, using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Campbell & Kashy, 2002). Inclusion criteria were that couples had to be in the relationship (married or co-habitation partners) for at least three years and co-parenting at least one child. After receiving the approval from the Ethics Committee of the School of Social Work, all participants filled-out the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale–Short Form (ECR-S; Wei, Russell, Mallinckrodt, & Vogel, 2007); the Pathological Narcissism Index (PNI; Pincus et al., 2009); the Sex Motives Scale (SMS; Cooper et al., 1998); the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS; Hudson, Harrison, & Crosscup, 1981); and the Israeli Sexual Behavior Inventory (ISBI; Kravetz, Drory, & Shaked, 1999). The data were collected from April 2015 to October 2015. Prior to enrolling, all participants reviewed the consent form and acknowledged their understanding and willingness to take part in the study. Data were collected online using Qualtrics software, which ensures the anonymity of respondents.

Data analysis: To examine the pattern of associations between the main study measures a series of Pearson correlations was conducted. Next, a series of paired sample t-test analyses was conducted, to examine differences between partners in the main study measures. To examine the dyadic effects within the mediating process, a series of actor-partner interdependence mediation models (APIM; Campbell & Kashy, 2002) was conducted.

Results: Actor effects between attachment orientation and sexual satisfaction and functioning, mediated by sexual motives were found regarding men’s sexual satisfaction, sexual intimacy and orgasmic responsivity. Partner effect revealed one significant path in which the greater the women's attachment avoidance, the lower the partners' intimacy motivation, which in turn, was linked with lower partners' sexual satisfaction and increased lack of sexual intimacy. The analyses did not reveal significant mediation paths affecting women's sexual satisfaction and functioning. The dyadic analysis between narcissism and sexual satisfaction and functioning, mediated by sexual motives, indicated two actor-effects on men’s sexual satisfaction, intimacy during sexual intercourse and orgasmic responsivity and one partner-effect on men’s sexual satisfaction and intimacy during sexual intercourse. Self-affirmation was identified as the main sexual motive for engaging in sex for narcissistic individuals.

Conclusion: The present work aimed to investigate the mechanism of the association between attachment orientation and narcissism and sexual satisfaction and functioning. On the theoretical level, the study current a quince understanding of the relationship between adult attachment and narcissism and sexual satisfaction and functioning, through a mediating process of sexual motivations. Particular sexual motives were found associated with attachment and narcissism. Yet, fulfilling attachment and narcissistic needs through sexual contact result in decreased sexual satisfaction and function. In addition, the study implements a dyadic perspective of couple in enduring relationships, which were not extensively studied before. On the practical level, the study suggests taking a dyadic perspective on sexuality, in which booth individual's attachment orientations and levels of narcissism are considered important to sexual motives, function, and satisfaction. The awareness to the dyadic effect of personality structures, targeting sexual motives and reflecting their effect on the couple's sexual satisfaction and functioning, are recommended to the regulation of emotional needs stemming from insecure attachment or high levels of narcissism.