Sexual Satisfaction in Older Heterosexual Couples From Four European Countries: Exploring the Roles of Actual and Perceived Discrepancy in Sexual Interest

Abstract

Even though sexual activity frequently takes place with another person, research rarely focuses on how partners influence each other's sexual lives. This study used the sexual dyad to compare the concept of actual versus perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and explored how each is related to older partnered individuals' sexual satisfaction. Further, the study assessed the robustness of the association between sexual interest discrepancy and sexual satisfaction, if any, by controlling for emotional intimacy. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) using structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine 677 heterosexual couples ages 60 to 75 in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. Although a couple's actual discrepancy in sexual interest was not predictive of female and male partners' sexual satisfaction, perceived discrepancy was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction in both partners after controlling for emotional intimacy. This indicates that the subjective feelings of being sexually dissimilar seem to be more important to sexual satisfaction than the actual mismatch among partners in older heterosexual couples. Moreover, the finding that emotional intimacy is linked with sexual satisfaction underscores the importance of a broader perspective on sexuality among older adults.

Understanding sexual distress related to sexual function (SDRSF): A preliminary framework based on a qualitative study with clinical sexologists

“…Considering that sexuality is seen as the barometer of the quality of the relationship ( Sprecher et al, 2006 ), individuals may feel pressured to perform sexually to meet societal and personal expectations about sexuality in the specific context of a relationship, which can create a barrier to acknowledging and addressing sexual difficulties or challenges within the relationship to prevent its dissolution. Consequently, SDRSF, such as the desire discrepancy mentioned by some participants, is associated with lower sexual satisfaction ( Fischer et al, 2021 ) and can undermine the relationship. On the other hand, people who are not in committed relationships feel less pressure toward sexual performance, which may reflect that individuals who are not committed are more likely to prioritize their sexual satisfaction over their sex partners, as they do not have a long-term emotional connection ( Zheng et al, 2020 ), and resulting in less SDRSF.…”

Singles Not Sexually Satisfied? Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in Single versus Partnered Adults

“…In particular, the most common definition of sexual satisfaction defines it as “an affective response arising from one’s subjective evaluation of the positive and negative dimensions associated with one’s sexual relationship” (Lawrance & Byers, 1995 , p. 268). In line with the dyadic framing, most research on sexual satisfaction assesses relationship status solely as a predictor/confounder of sexual satisfaction (Buczak-Stec et al., 2021 ; Cranney, 2017 ; Dekker et al., 2020 ), focuses only on individuals who report that they are partnered (Fischer et al., 2020 ; Frederick et al., 2017 ; Schmiedeberg & Schröder, 2016 ), or assesses dyadic samples (Fischer et al., 2021 ; Schoenfeld et al., 2017 ; Velten & Margraf, 2017 ; Vowels & Mark, 2020 ). These approaches fit with the general societal belief that one needs to be partnered to “live a full life.” Particularly, it is assumed that being partnered generates happiness and many advantages, including sexually (DePaulo & Morris, 2005 ).…”

Sexual passion in couple relationships: Emerging patterns from dyadic response surface analysis

“…While couple datasets with self and partner ratings can be insightful, there are many permutations that can be compared, especially when researchers are interested in how two or more variables combine to influence outcomes. Existing research on both sexual and general relationship variables provides some guidance as to which comparisons might prove most useful (Busby, Day, & Olsen, 2019; Davies et al, 1999; Fisher et al, 2021; Muise et al, 2016). These studies consistently show that because individuals use their own perceptions as reference points to make evaluations, the discrepancies they perceive between their ratings of themselves as compared to their ratings of their partner are most predictive of sexual and relationship outcomes.…”