Sexual satisfaction in a heterosexual and homosexual Spanish sample: the role of socio-demographic characteristics, health indicators, and relational factors

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between (1) sexual satisfaction and (2) socio-demographic variables, health status, and relational factors in Spanish men and women. Using a quota sampling method, we assessed 2024 subjects aged between 18 and 80 years old with a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction, the Short Form-36 Health Survey, and the Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire. Regarding the results, no significant differences in sexual satisfaction were found according to gender or sexual orientation. At the bivariate level, sexual satisfaction was negatively correlated with age, low education level, psychopathological symptoms, and length of relationship, and positively correlated with better physical health and relationship satisfaction. In heterosexual individuals, 55% of the variance in sexual satisfaction was predicted by vitality, depression, relationship satisfaction, length of relationship, and type of relationship. In homosexual individuals, bodily pain and relationship satisfaction predicted 44% of the variance in sexual satisfaction. Finally, the impact of health and relational variables on the sexual well-being of adults in the context of sex therapy is discussed.

Keywords:

• sexual satisfaction
• relationship satisfaction
• physical and psychological health

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the following individuals and bodies for cooperating in the research: Carlos Rodríguez, Juan Manuel Castro Campoy, Julia Rivas Herrera, Isabel Ana Ruiz Lao, Asociación Amas de Casa Al-Andalus, Asociación de Vecinos de las Barriadas de la Chana, Asociación Colegas Sur de Granada, Asociación NOS of Granada, and Area de Familia y Bienestar Social of the districts Beiro, Genil, Ronda and Zaidín in Granada.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded through a research project granted to the second author by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [grant number PSI 2010-15719].

Notes on contributors

María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes

María del Mar Sánchez-Fuentes is a PhD candidate in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Granada, Spain. Principally, her research is focused on studying sexual satisfaction. Currently, she collaborates in the Laboratory of Human Sexuality (LabSex UGR) in CIMCYC and also works in a health psychology center.

Juan Carlos Sierra

Juan Carlos Sierra, PhD, is a professor at the University of Granada, Spain. His research is focused on human sexuality: sexual fantasies, sexual excitation/inhibition, sexual satisfaction, and sexual victimization. He is the head of the Laboratory of Human Sexuality (LabSex UGR) in CIMCYC.