How Gender Differences in Emotional Cutoff and Reactivity Influence Couple’s Sexual and Relational Outcomes

Abstract

We evaluated gender differences in differentiation of self, specifically addressing aspects of emotional cutoff (EC) and emotional reactivity (ER), and their association with relational and sexual satisfaction and sexual desire. Midlife U.S. men and women (N = 334 married heterosexual couples; 50% female; 85% Caucasian, mean age 47.4 years) completed online surveys. Men reported higher levels of EC compared to women after accounting for control variables—a medium effect (Cohen's d = .48) which negatively predicted their own relationship and sexual satisfaction as well as partner relationship satisfaction. Women’s EC was also negatively associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Women reported higher levels of ER compared to men after accounting for control variables—a small effect (Cohen's d = .18). No associations with ER and outcome variables were found and no other partner effects were found. For couples in which the woman was higher on ER, the association between women's T1 emotional reactivity and men's T2 sexual desire was positive and significant (B = .31, p < .05). These findings underscore the influence of emotional cutoff on relationship satisfaction and sexual desire and the importance of staying engaged even through relational conflict.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 This is the number of cases utilized in the path model. Missing data patterns account for differences in observations utilized in multilevel regression models.

2 In the analysis, the natural log of income was utilized to account for extreme earnings values.

3 These four items loaded onto one factor as evidenced by an analysis where we performed principal factor analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization. The results of this factor analysis are available upon request.

4 To achieve these VIF values and satisfy this assumption, men’s and women’s age variables were combined into a couple age variable as they were highly correlated (r = .92).

5 All plots and output available upon request.

6 For reference, a beta of 1 when predicting time 2 sexual satisfaction translates to a .73 (women) to .74 (men) unit increase in time 2 sexual satisfaction, a beta of 1 when predicting time 2 relationship satisfaction translates to a 1.09 (women) to 1.01 (men) unit increase in time relationship satisfaction, and a beta of 1 when predicting time 2 sexual desire translates to a 1.13 (women) to 1.10 (men) unit increase in time 2 sexual desire.

7 We calculated this simple slope through use of the model constraint command in Mplus.