A Dyadic Approach to Understanding the Link Between Sexual Functioning and Sexual Satisfaction in Heterosexual Couples

Abstract

Researchers have demonstrated that several dimensions of sexual functioning (e.g., sexual desire, arousal, orgasm) are associated with the sexual satisfaction of individuals in a committed mixed-sex (male–female) relationship. We extended this research by comparing a dyadic model that included both own (i.e., actor effect) and partner (i.e., partner effect) domains of sexual functioning to an individual model that included only actor effects. Participants were 124 mixed-sex couples who completed online measures of sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Data analysis using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) and structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that the dyadic model had a better fit than the individual model. Women’s sexual desire and orgasm and men’s erectile functioning were significant positive predictors of both own and partner’s sexual satisfaction. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of taking a dyadic approach to research and clinical work related to sexual satisfaction.

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge BIAL Foundation (ref 167/12) for the financial support that made this work possible.

Notes

¹ We have restricted ourselves to scales that were available for both men and women: desire, erection/lubrication, and orgasm. We used erection and lubrication as they are both psychophysiological indicators of genital sexual response.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge BIAL Foundation (ref 167/12) for the financial support that made this work possible.