Sexual satisfaction has been found to be linked with an individual's perceptions of relational fairness, equity, and partner reliability. This link was demonstrated through research that studied individuals who were in committed romantic relationships. Specifically, participants completed measures of their own sexual satisfaction and then reported how satisfied they felt with their partners overall relationship, including perceived fairness, equity, and reliability. The results showed that those who experienced higher levels of sexual satisfaction also tended to report greater levels of perceived fairness, equity, and reliability within their relationships. This finding suggests that sexual satisfaction may play a role in shaping an individual's expectations about their partner and their relationship as a whole.
This study examined whether there was a reciprocal relationship between sexual satisfaction and these other variables. That is, did individuals who perceive their partners to be more fair or reliable tend to experience more sexual satisfaction? The results indicated that yes, there was indeed a positive correlation between perceived fairness/equity/reliability and sexual satisfaction.
It was not clear if this effect was due to cause and effect or simply a result of the shared nature of the two constructs (i.e., if people who are sexually satisfied might also be more likely to see themselves as being treated fairly, etc.).
Another study explored this question by manipulating participants' perceptions of their partner's behavior towards them and measuring its effects on their own sexual satisfaction. Participants read vignettes describing a scenario in which their partner either behaved in a fair or unfair manner regarding money-related issues. After reading each vignette, they reported their level of sexual satisfaction. Again, those who received information suggesting their partner had been treating them fairly were more likely to feel sexually satisfied than those who received information suggesting otherwise.
These findings suggest that sexual satisfaction plays a key role in influencing our perceptions of relational fairness, equity, and partner reliability. Individuals who experience high levels of sexual satisfaction are likely to view their relationships as more fair, equitable, and stable - and vice versa. This highlights the importance of prioritizing sexual satisfaction in romantic relationships for both partners, as it can have far-reaching impacts on their overall relationship dynamics.
How does sexual satisfaction affect perceptions of relational fairness, equity, and partner reliability?
Sexual satisfaction can significantly impact how individuals perceive relational fairness, equity, and their partner's reliability. In other words, when someone is satisfied with the quality of sex they have with their partner, they tend to see their relationship as being more fair and balanced, which increases feelings of trust and commitment toward their partner.