Dyadic Adjustment/Sexual Satisfaction in Women and Men as a Function of Psychological Sex Role Self-Perception

Abstract

Men and women who were found to be androgynous in the sexual situation were more sexually satisfied and had better adjustment in their dyadic relationship than their sex role stereotypic counterparts. This finding was not surprising, since androgyny implies more flexibility. On the other hand, the finding was surprising in light of the fact that large numbers of both men and women in the study sample perceived themselves as feminine in the sexual situation, compared to their global sex role self-perception. Several explanations are offered with respect to these outcomes, and the importance of qualitative differences between men and women is highlighted.