Sexual desire is an important part of human experience, but how does it relate to other aspects of life satisfaction? This article will explore the relationship between these two concepts and provide insight into what they mean for individuals' overall wellbeing. The most commonly used measure of perceived life fulfillment is called the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), which asks respondents to rate their level of agreement with five statements about various domains of life satisfaction (Diener et al., 1985). Higher scores indicate greater perceived life satisfaction.
Sexual desire can be defined as the drive or motivation to engage in sexual activity (Fisher et al., 2004). It can manifest as physical arousal, fantasies, thoughts about sex, or desire to initiate or participate in sexual acts. Sexual desire is influenced by many factors including hormones, personality traits such as extraversion and neuroticism, social roles and expectations, mental health status, and personal values (Schmitt & Shackelford, 20016). Perceived life satisfaction refers to a sense of happiness with one's current life situation and general life outlook (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 19886). It encompasses both positive emotions (e.g. joy) and negative ones (e.g. anger), as well as evaluative components (e.g. satisfaction with work-life balance) and cognitive processes related to making meaning from experiences (e.g. optimism). Perceived life satisfaction has been linked to various outcomes such as health, longevity, and relationship quality (Steptoe, Wardle, & Bellis, 2007; Diener et al., 1985).
Research suggests that there may be a link between sexual desire and perceived life fulfillment (Kim, Chong, & Hays, 2013). In one study, participants who reported higher levels of sexual desire also tended to have greater life satisfaction (Kim et al., 2013).
The directionality of this relationship was not explored, so it remains unclear whether increased sexual desire leads to increased life satisfaction or vice versa. Another study found that greater sex drive predicted lower depressive symptoms over time (Crocker et al., 2014), suggesting that satisfying one's sexual needs can contribute to overall mental health.
Research on this topic is mixed, but existing evidence indicates that sexual desire and perceived life fulfillment may be related in some way. The relationship between these two factors warrants further investigation to better understand how they affect individuals' lives and wellbeing.
How does sexual desire correlate with perceived life fulfillment?
Sexual desire can be defined as an individual's interest or craving for sexually intimate behaviors. Perceived life fulfillment is one's assessment of their satisfaction with life overall, including factors such as personal relationships, career success, and financial stability.