Sexual satisfaction and commitment
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Citation
Pearson, Rachel (2008). Sexual satisfaction and commitment. In Proceedings: 4th Annual Symposium: Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p.97-98
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms by which commitment is associated with sexual satisfaction. This study expanded on previous research to determine whether three pro-relationship sexual behaviors (disclosure, motivation to satisfy partner, and emotional bond) would explain a significant amount of variance in participants’ sexual satisfaction and whether these variables mediated the association between commitment and sexual satisfaction. A convenience sample was collected, consisting of 100 undergraduate female students. Participants completed a survey that included the following measures: Rusbult relationship satisfaction scale, The Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, Rusbult’s commitment scale, and scales created by the researcher to assess the three pro-relationship sexual behaviors. There was a statistically significant correlation between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction (r=.70) and between sexual satisfaction and commitment (r=.57). Commitment was most highly correlated with emotional bond (r (100)=.70), followed by motivation to satisfy partner (r (100)=.47), and disclosure (r (100)=.36). These results indicate that women who reported being more committed in their relationship also reported an increased use of the three pro-relationship sexual behaviors. Commitment predicted a significant amount of sexual satisfaction variance (r²=.34). When sexual satisfaction was regressed on total pro-relationship sexual behaviors score, 44% of the variance in sexual satisfaction was accounted for. When commitment was added, only an additional 4% of variance was accounted for. Thus, the relationship between commitment and sexual satisfaction is almost completely mediated by the three pro-relationship sexual behavior scales. Overall the model accounted for 48% of the variance in sexual satisfaction. This research is important in treatment of sexual difficulties. Commitment is important to sexual satisfaction; the three pro-relationship sexual behaviors are especially important for sexual functioning.
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Description
Research completed at the Department of Psychology, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences