Sexual Satisfaction Predicts Future Changes in Relationship Satisfaction and Sexual Frequency: New Insights From Within-Person Associations Over Time

Authors

  • Haeyoung Gideon Park Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  • Nathan D. Leonhardt Orcid
    School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
  • Matthew D. Johnson Orcid
    Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
  • Amy Muise Orcid
    Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada
  • Dean M. Busby Orcid
    School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
  • Veronica R. Hanna-Walker Orcid
    Human Development and Family Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
  • Jeremy B. Yorgason Orcid
    School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
  • Erin K. Holmes Orcid
    School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
  • Emily A. Impett Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada

Abstract

Considerable research demonstrates a positive association between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, but longitudinal evidence on the direction of this link remains inconclusive. To address this research gap, the present research provided a stringent test of the within-person associations between sexual and relationship satisfaction over time by analyzing 4-year longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of newlywed couples in the United States (N = 2,104). The results indicated that within-person changes in sexual satisfaction predicted future changes in relationship satisfaction, whereas changes in relationship satisfaction did not predict future changes in sexual satisfaction. These results remained consistent when accounting for changes in couples’ sexual frequency, which showed significant associations with sexual satisfaction but non-significant associations with relationship satisfaction over time. All associations were consistent across gender. Overall, the current findings inform theory and practice on the roles of sexual dynamics in shaping overall perceptions of intimate relationships.