ABSTRACT
The present investigation tested the effects of a gene x environment interaction on sexual communication and relational well-being. It was hypothesized that the interaction of variation in oxytocin receptor gene OXTR rs53576 and orgasm would predict post sex communication and subsequent relationship satisfaction. The results revealed that for women in the sample, orgasm was positively associated with disclosing positive thoughts and feelings for one’s partner after sexual activity, which in turn predicted greater relationship satisfaction, regardless of their genotype. The same model was supported for men with the GG genotype for OXTR rs53576, but not for those with the AA or AG genotypes, though the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small percentage of men who did not orgasm. The findings and their implications for the post sex disclosures model and research on sexual communication are discussed.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Dr. Tamara Afifi and Dr. Douglas Granger for their guidance and support with the larger research project (of which this study is one part).
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
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Amanda Denes
Amanda Denes (Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut. Her primary area of specialization is interpersonal communication, with emphases in biosocial models of communication, sexual communication, and communication processes related to maintaining successful relationships.