New paper out: Perceived partner responsiveness mediates the association between sexual and marital
A new paper out from our lab was accepted for publication in Archives of Sexual Behavior. This paper: entitled " Perceived partner responsiveness mediates the association between sexual and marital satisfaction: A daily diary study in newlywed couples" is a product of a collaboration with the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction in Indiana University, and it was authored by Reuma Gadassi, Lior Eadan Bar-Nahum, Sarah Newhouse, Ragnar Anderson, Julia Heiman, Eshkol Rafaeli, & Erick Janssen.
Here's the summary paragraph of that paper:
Sexuality is an integral part of intimate relationships (e.g., Dundon & Rellini, 2010), yet surprisingly little is known about how and for whom sexuality matters. The present research investigated the interplay of sexual and non-sexual factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that the association between sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction is mediated by a non-sexual factor – namely, perceived partner responsiveness (PPR; Reis, Clark, & Holmes, 2004). Additionally, we tested the role of gender as a possible moderator of this mediated association. Thirty-four newlywed couples completed diaries with each spouse reporting their sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and PPR every day for 30 days. We tested our predictions at both the person level (i.e., the mean level across 30 days) and the daily level.
At the person level, we found that both men and women who were more satisfied from their sexual relationship were also those who were more satisfied with their marriage in general. Moreover, as expected, this association was mediated by PPR – i.e., those who were more satisfied with their sexual relationship perceived their partners as more responsive to their needs (in general). These higher levels of PPR partially explained why these individuals were more satisfied with their marriage.
At the daily level, we found similar results. On days in which individuals were more satisfied with their sexual relationship, they also perceived their partner as more responsiveness – thus leading them to be more satisfied with their marriage in those days (compared to days in which they were less satisfied with their sexual relationship). A difference between men and women emerged at this level – for women, more than men, satisfaction from their sexual relationship affected their perception of their (male) partner as responsive to them.
This study joins a growing literature highlighting the role of PPR in dyadic relationships, and demonstrates the importance of sexuality in PPR. As leading attachment theorists have noted, “…humans possess basic needs that are naturally satisfied by social relationships, such as the needs for emotional support, care, and sexual gratification […] A relationship is satisfying to the extent that it meets basic needs. At any age, attachment quality turns in large part on the answer to the question ‘Can I trust my partner to be available and responsive to my needs?’” (Hazan & Shaver, 1994, p. 10-13).
