Relationship and sexual satisfaction: a longitudinal actor–partner interdependence model approach

ABSTRACT

Research has demonstrated a strong link between relationship and sexual satisfaction in the context of romantic relationships. However, little research has examined this in the context of a dyadic longitudinal sample, where both partner and actor effects are considered over time. The current study aimed to assess directional fit of the link between relationship and sexual satisfaction with the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) on the cross-sectional and longitudinal level. Data were collected online from 204 mixed-sex couples (408 individuals) in an online quantitative longitudinal study (baseline, 2 months, and 4 months). The average age of participants was 34 and participants were in a relationship for an average of nine years. Results from the cross-sectional APIM indicated that relationship satisfaction as a predictor of sexual satisfaction provided a better fit to the data. The over-time APIM further supported this directionality. Although prior research has shown mixed results, with some studies providing support for a bidirectional model, the current results indicated that relationship satisfaction precedes sexual satisfaction. This provides additional support that targeting relationship building to improve relationship satisfaction may be a fruitful approach to improving sexual satisfaction in relationships. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual satisfaction
• relationship satisfaction
• dyadic research
• APIM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Patty Brisben Foundation for Women's Sexual Health.

Notes on contributors

Laura M. Vowels

Kristen Mark, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor at University of Kentucky.

Kristen P. Mark

Laura Vowels is an MS student at University of Kentucky.