The current study aimed at investigating how sexual satisfaction affects relational stability in a couple, considering that sexual satisfaction can play an important role in improving emotional security in romantic relationships. Sexual satisfaction is defined as a multidimensional construct which includes physical pleasure, emotional intimacy, and sexual desire, but also encompasses psychological aspects related to personal beliefs and attitudes about sex. According to previous research, high levels of sexual satisfaction have been associated with a positive impact on relationship functioning, such as higher levels of trust and commitment, better communication, lower likelihood of infidelity, and greater overall marital quality. On the contrary, low levels of sexual satisfaction have been linked to negative outcomes, including lower self-esteem, dissatisfaction, and conflict. Trust is considered an essential component for successful romantic relationships, since it is necessary to establish a sense of safety and reliability between partners. It refers to confidence in one's partner's honesty, respect, loyalty, and availability, among other features. Previous studies have shown that trust is positively correlated with relational satisfaction and stability.
In order to investigate the interaction between sexual satisfaction and trust, the present study used a longitudinal design with a sample of heterosexual couples. Participants were recruited through online panels and received financial compensation for their participation. The sample consisted of 500 individuals, half male and half female, aged between 18 and 65 years old. They had been in a committed relationship for at least six months and reported having regular sexual activity. Data was collected via questionnaires administered online over four sessions, spaced three months apart.
The first session included measures of demographics, relationship length, frequency of intercourse, and sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using the Dyadic Satisfaction in Relationships Scale (DSRS), which comprises 27 items rating satisfaction on different dimensions such as physical pleasure, emotional intimacy, sexual desire, and psychological aspects related to personal beliefs and attitudes about sex. The second session focused on assessing trust and commitment, which were measured by the Trust Inventory (TI) and the Commitment Inventory (CI), respectively. TI consists of 30 items rated on a seven-point Likert scale asking participants how much they agree or disagree with statements like "I am confident my partner will keep his/her promises," while CI includes 19 items measuring the extent to which participants feel emotionally attached to their partner.
After that, participants completed the third session three months later, including the same measures as in the previous session.
The fourth session was conducted after another three months and asked them to report again on their level of trust and commitment towards each other. The results showed that sexual satisfaction had a positive effect on both trust and commitment, suggesting an association between high levels of sexual satisfaction and increased trust and commitment within the couple.
The study also found a significant interaction between sexual satisfaction and trust in predicting relational stability over time, indicating that couples with higher levels of sexual satisfaction and trust are more likely to maintain a stable relationship than those with low levels of both variables.
The findings revealed that higher levels of sexual satisfaction predicted lower rates of infidelity, supporting the hypothesis that sexual satisfaction can play a protective role against infidelity, particularly when combined with high levels of trust.
The present study provides evidence for the importance of sexual satisfaction in promoting emotional security and relational stability in romantic relationships. Sexual satisfaction and trust emerged as two key factors contributing to long-term relational success, demonstrating the potential of integrating physical and psychological aspects of intimacy into successful relationships. Future research should investigate the mechanisms underlying this association and explore ways to promote sexual satisfaction and trust in couples, such as engaging in regular sexual activity or enhancing communication skills.
How does sexual satisfaction interact with trust to predict long-term relational stability and emotional security?
Sexual satisfaction is an important factor that influences both relationship stability and emotional security. According to research, individuals who experience high levels of sexual satisfaction within their relationships tend to feel more emotionally secure in their partnerships. This, in turn, leads to greater commitment and loyalty toward the partner and higher levels of attachment, which can contribute to increased relational stability over time (Fisher et al. , 2016).