Greater mindfulness does not influence sexual satisfaction but is independently associated with lower relationship satisfaction

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to elucidate whether mindfulness was associated with relationship and/or sexual satisfaction among individuals in a regular relationship and to assess potential links with other factors. The research group consisted of 276 adults who were in a relationship regardless of marriage. Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI), New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) were applied to all individuals. In the study group, 160 (58%) of the individuals were female, 116 (42%) were male, 62.3% were married, 59.8% were self-acquainted with their partner and 67.4% lived together with their partner or with their partner and children. Factors contributing to greater sexual satisfaction were shorter relationship duration and being a male, while those with an arranged marriage and those cohabiting with their partner had lower sexual satisfaction. Older age and, very interestingly, higher levels of mindfulness were associated with lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Finally, sexual and relationship satisfaction were closely associated and were respectively identified as independent factors for CSI and NSSS scores. There is a need for more comprehensive longitudinal studies evaluating relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction to assess causal relationships and to identify interventions that could benefit relationships.

Keywords:

• Sexual behavior
• sexual activity
• sexual satisfaction
• mindfulness
• sexual partners

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Kent University (Date: 28.05.2020/No: 77083609-100/132).

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Selim Arpacioglu, Beyza Arpacioglu and Gozde Avsar. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Selim Arpacioglu, Beyza Arpacioglu and Gozde Avsar and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Selim Arpacioglu

Selim Arpacioglu is an assistant professor at İstanbul Altınbaş University, Faculty of Medicine. He is a certified member and sex therapist of CETAD (Sexual Education Treatment and Research Association). He works and makes researches as sex therapist, psychodynamic therapist, and psychiatrist.

Zeynep Beyza Arpacioglu

Zeynep Beyza Arpacioglu is psychiatrist at Erenköy Research and Training Hospital, she is working as both clinical and supervisor at Erenköy psychotherapy center. She finished theoretic courses of CETAD program and she is specifically interested in women’s mental and sexual health.

Gozde Avsar

Gozde Avsar works and makes researches as sex therapist, psychodynamic therapist, and psychiatrist.