Researchers have been interested in exploring the role that trust plays in romantic relationships for decades, particularly in how it influences relationship satisfaction. One aspect of trust is feeling secure that one's partner will remain faithful and loyal to them in terms of both emotional and physical fidelity.
This sense of security can be undermined when a person experiences feelings of jealousy or insecurity due to previous relationships, which may lead them to question their partner's commitment to monogamy. In addition, research has shown that past betrayals can negatively impact future relationships, making partners feel distrustful and suspicious even if they are currently in a healthy relationship. These factors all interact with each other to create a complex web of issues that can significantly affect relationship satisfaction.
Studies also suggest that sexual trust can act as a mediating factor between these negative outcomes and relationship satisfaction. This essay will explore how sexual trust can help buffer against the effects of jealousy, insecurity, and prior relational betrayals on relationship satisfaction by discussing different perspectives on the topic, highlighting important findings from empirical studies, and offering practical recommendations for couples seeking to maintain a satisfying relationship.
Sexual Trust as a Mediator
Sexual trust refers to a belief in one's partner's ability to be honest, open, and dependable about sexual matters. It involves an understanding that your partner will not engage in infidelity, betrayal, or other behaviors that violate the couple's expectations for exclusive and committed sexual intimacy. Research suggests that having high levels of sexual trust is associated with greater satisfaction in romantic relationships (Murphy & McNulty, 2015).
A study conducted by Murphy and McNulty found that higher levels of sexual trust were correlated with lower levels of jealousy among participants (n 374), indicating that feeling secure in your partner's fidelity may reduce feelings of insecurity (Murphy & McNulty, 2015). The same study also demonstrated that sexual trust was more strongly related to relationship satisfaction than general trust, suggesting that it plays a unique role in promoting emotional closeness and connection (Murphy & McNulty, 2015).
The Role of Jealousy
Jealousy is a common emotion experienced in romantic relationships and can manifest in several ways, including feeling possessive, suspicious, anxious, or threatened by perceived threats to the relationship (Rodriguez et al., 2018). When jealousy becomes excessive or uncontrollable, it can negatively impact relationship satisfaction and lead to conflict between partners (Rodriguez et al., 2018). According to the triangular theory of love, jealousy occurs when a person fears losing someone they value, leading them to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, or sadness (Hendrick, Hendrick, & Smith, 2016). Studies have shown that past betrayals, such as infidelity or lying about sexual behavior, can increase feelings of jealousy in current relationships (Sprecher & Felmlee, 2019). In addition, research has found that experiencing sexual betrayal, such as discovering one's partner engaged in extramarital sex or cheating, is associated with higher levels of jealousy and lower levels of relationship satisfaction (Fletcher & Simpson, 2011; Sprecher & Felmlee, 2019). Therefore, previous experiences of betrayal may make people more likely to feel jealous and insecure in their current relationship.
How Sexual Trust Mediates Effects on Relationship Satisfaction
Higher levels of sexual trust have been shown to buffer against the effects of jealousy and prior relational betrayals on relationship satisfaction (Murphy & McNulty, 2015).
One study demonstrated that individuals who reported high levels of sexual trust were less likely to experience jealousy and suspicion when compared to those with low sexual trust (Murphy & McNulty, 2015). This suggests that feeling secure in your partner's fidelity can help reduce feelings of insecurity and distrust, which are often triggered by past betrayals or jealousy. Another study conducted by Fletcher and Simpson found that sexual trust was positively related to relationship satisfaction even after accounting for past betrayals, meaning that having high levels of sexual trust can help protect against negative impacts of prior infidelity (Fletcher & Simpson, 2011). These findings indicate that sexual trust may act as a buffer between jealousy, insecurity, and betrayals on relationship satisfaction, helping couples maintain emotional closeness and connection despite challenges.
Practical Recommendations for Building Sexual Trust
Building sexual trust involves several practical strategies that partners can implement to create a sense of security and commitment in their relationship. Firstly, engaging in open communication about expectations and boundaries around sexual behavior is crucial (Barnes et al., 2021). Couples should discuss what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable within their relationship and set clear boundaries to ensure they both feel comfortable and respected. Secondly, practicing honesty and transparency regarding sexual activity outside the relationship is essential (Barnes et al., 2021). Partners should be honest about any sexual encounters, including flirting, kissing, and other intimate behaviors, to avoid creating a climate of secrecy and mistrust.
How does sexual trust mediate the effects of jealousy, insecurity, and prior relational betrayals on relationship satisfaction?
Sexual trust is defined as an individual's belief that their partner will not engage in extramarital sex, infidelity, or nonmonogamy (Hughes et al. , 2019). It also includes the perception that one's spouse has complete discretion over his/her sexual behaviors, as well as the assurance that he/she is committed to them emotionally and sexually.