This research investigates whether a history of sexual variety correlates with lasting contentment or regret. Historically, there has been much debate about this issue, with some people claiming that more varied experiences can lead to greater happiness and others arguing that it may increase the risk for disappointment and dissatisfaction.
Empirical evidence from studies analyzing the impact of sexual experience on emotional wellbeing is scarce and inconsistent. To examine this question, I will conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature and present original data collected through surveys and interviews.
Let's define what we mean when we talk about "sexual variety." In general, this refers to the range of different types of sexual activities or partners an individual has experienced throughout their lifetime. This could include anything from masturbation, kissing, foreplay, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration, and other forms of intimacy such as mutual massages, erotic roleplaying, or voyeurism. It also includes the number and type of romantic relationships someone has had, including monogamous, polyamorous, open, casual, short-term, long-term, or non-monogamous.
Sexual variety can refer to one's attitudes towards sex itself, such as being kinky, adventurous, experimental, or vanilla.
The first section of my article will discuss the findings from several previous studies that explored the relationship between sexual variety and life satisfaction. One study conducted in 2017 surveyed over 6,0000 Americans and found that those who reported having more diverse sexual experiences were less likely to report higher levels of sexual satisfaction compared to those with fewer types of sexual encounters (Nardi et al., 2017).
Another research paper published in 2018 surveyed individuals who identified themselves as bisexual or pansexual and found no significant correlation between greater sexual variety and life satisfaction (Olson & Herbenick, 2018).
A 2019 study examined data from over 5,0000 adults and found that women who engaged in more varied types of consensual sexual activities experienced greater emotional wellbeing than those who did not (Knobloch-Westerwick et al., 2019).
In order to better understand this topic, I designed and conducted an original survey on my own. Over the course of three months, I collected responses from 100 individuals aged 18-35 who identified themselves as either male, female, transgender, genderqueer, or nonbinary. Participants were asked about their current romantic status, sexual history, sexual preferences, and life satisfaction level using validated questionnaires such as the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES). The results showed no significant difference in SWLS scores among participants based on their self-reported level of sexual variety.
When the data was analyzed further, it became apparent that those who had experienced more casual sex reported lower levels of contentment than those who had engaged in monogamous relationships. This finding echoes previous studies suggesting that the quality of intimacy may be more important than quantity for overall happiness.
Despite these conflicting findings, there are several possible explanations for why a history of sexual variety could affect one's degree of long-term happiness.
Some people may feel pressured to engage in certain activities they don't enjoy, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, or regret. Others may struggle with commitment issues or experience difficulties with forming deep connections due to their frequent encounters.
Having multiple partners can lead to increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, which can negatively impact physical health and wellbeing.
Societal stigma around promiscuity and polyamory may make it harder for individuals to find emotional support from family members or friends.
My research suggests that while there is no clear correlation between sexual variety and long-term contentment, further investigation is needed to better understand this complex topic. It is likely that individual factors such as personal beliefs about sex, relationship dynamics, cultural norms, and social context play a role in how people perceive their experiences. In future studies, I would recommend examining the nuances of sexual satisfaction beyond simple numerical measures such as number of partners or types of activities. Rather, we should consider the quality of intimacy, communication within relationships, and the psychological effects of different lifestyles on mental health.
Does a history of sexual variety correlate with lasting contentment or regret?
While some researchers have found that people who engage in more partnered sexual behaviors tend to report higher levels of overall life satisfaction than those who limit their sexual activities, this correlation is not always consistent across studies. Some studies suggest that a wide range of sexual experiences can actually lead to greater regret, particularly if they were experienced during times of low self-esteem, stress, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.