Sexual Satisfaction in Monogamous, Nonmonogamous, and Unpartnered Sexual Minority Women in the US

Abstract

Research on sexual satisfaction tends to focus mostly on heterosexual women and women in monogamous relationships. Sexual satisfaction among sexual minority women and women who are nonmonogamous or not partnered is under-researched. Through an online survey, we gathered data from 334 cisgender sexual minority women in various relationship configurations and assessed sexual satisfaction in relation to individual and interpersonal factors. Sexual satisfaction was not related to sexual identity or gender of relationship, dating, or sexual partners. Although women without a partner reported lower sexual satisfaction compared to those with one partner and those with more than one partner (p < .001), satisfaction between monogamous and nonmonogamous women did not differ (p < .001). Less internalized homonegativity was associated with greater sexual satisfaction (p < .001). This study broadens our knowledge of the sexual lives and health of sexual minority and nonmonogamous women. Findings support reconceptualizing how we understand and measure sexual satisfaction and expanding samples in future research to include sexual minority women and women in nonmonogamous relationships.

Keywords:

• Bisexual
• sexual minority women
• sexual satisfaction
• non-monogamy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aleta Baldwin

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

Debby Herbenick

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

Vanessa R. Schick

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

Brenda Light

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

Brian Dodge

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

Crystal A. Jackson

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.

J. Dennis Fortenberry

Aleta Baldwin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Baldwin received her Ph.D. in Health Behavior from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Health in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health as well as a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. Dr. Baldwin's research investigates complex social justice issues related to sexual and reproductive health, particularly for sexual and gender-diverse individuals. Her work is informed by a background in feminist theory, sexuality studies, and public health.