Sexual communication between partners is an important facet of relationship satisfaction in young, heterosexual couples, according to recent research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
The study was the first to analyze the roles of both sexual communication and frequency in both sexual and relationship satisfaction, the authors said.
Their results are based on data from 126 heterosexual couples between the ages of 18 and 30 (average age 23 years). The couples were in committed relationships for no longer than 3 years (average 1.9 years). They had either lived together or spent 4 nights per week together for up to 2 years. All participants reported being in good health. The vast majority were white.
The couples completed several questionnaires to assess their demographics, sexual history, sexual communication, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction. Each member of the couple answered the questions in a separate room.
Sexual frequency and sexual communication were predictors of sexual satisfaction among the studied couples, the authors said. However, only communication predicted relationship satisfaction.
No significant gender effects were found. This finding might be explained by the relatively short duration of the participants’ relationships, the authors said. In this study, couples were still in the early stages of their relationship. Others studies have focused on couples in all relationship stages.
Sexual communication, but not frequency, was important for relationship satisfaction.
“Consistent with findings from previous research indicating that the frequency of sexual intercourse is less important than other, non-sexual and positive interpersonal processes (eg, a warm interpersonal climate) to relationship satisfaction, our results underscore and expand this idea by specifically pointing at the possible positive impact of sexual communication on this interpersonal climate,” the authors commented.
Clinicians might consider adding sexual communication to couples therapy protocols, they added.
Several limitations were acknowledged. For example, much of the data came from self-reported measures, and studies using other methods might yield different results. Also, the couples were not known to be having sexual difficulties. Communication among couples might be different for couples struggling with sexual dysfunction. Future studies should also include a more diverse population, the authors said.
Resources
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
Roels, Rick, MD, MSc and Erick Janssen, PhD
“Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in Young, Heterosexual Couples: The Role of Sexual Frequency and Sexual Communication”
(Full-text. Published: July 18, 2020)
https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(20)30716-5/fulltext