Sexual satisfaction and commitment
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.
Description
Paper presented to the 4th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 25, 2008.
Research completed at the Department of Psychology, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences