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Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage

Mahambrey, Meghna
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4813-1355
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1597242022842322

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science.
This dissertation presents three original research studies exploring sexual satisfaction within context of marriage. Specifically, the first study investigates associations between sexual satisfaction and marital instability, the second study assesses the accuracy and bias of sexual satisfaction memories, and the third study examines predictors of marital satisfaction in the absence of sex. All three studies utilize data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), which included telephone interviews and self-administered questionnaires across three waves: 1995-1996, 2004-2005, and 2013-2014. Brief summaries of each study are presented below. Study 1: Is bad sex a deal-breaker? Longitudinal associations between sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction and marital instability. Sexual satisfaction is an established predictor of marital satisfaction, and marital satisfaction is an established predictor of marital instability. Less is known, though, about how sexual satisfaction may be directly or indirectly linked with marital instability over time. Study 1 investigates these associations in a sample of midlife and older adults across three waves, spanning nearly two decades of marriage (N = 824). Results from autoregressive cross-lagged models indicate significant negative associations between marital satisfaction and marital instability across waves, but not sexual satisfaction and marital instability. Study 2: Was it good for you? Accuracy and bias in perceptions of past sexual satisfaction. Recollection of one’s marital history can influence current feelings toward the relationship as well as decisions made about the relationship’s future. Yet, memories of a personal nature are often biased. Sexual satisfaction plays a central role in marital satisfaction and stability, but little is known about how accurate sexual narratives tend to be. Study 2 investigates the degree to which retrospective reports of sexual satisfaction align with real-time reports for married individuals across two waves, spanning nearly a decade of marriage (N = 1,596). Results from correlation analyses, difference scores, and a reliable change index indicate that individuals are, on average, relatively accurate in recalling their past sexual satisfaction, with a slight tendency toward a positive bias. Study 3: Sexless and satisfied? Predictors of marital satisfaction in sexually inactive marriages. Sex is a defining feature of most marriages, yet much remains unknown about sexless marriages. Study 3 investigates sexual and marital satisfaction among married adults who have been sexually inactive for the past 6 months (n = 420), relative to those who have been sexually active (n = 1,809). Predictors of marital satisfaction are also compared between groups. Results from a series of t-tests and regression analyses indicate that sexually inactive married adults are, on average, less satisfied with their sex lives and marriages than sexually active adults. Yet, sexual satisfaction, emotional support, conflict levels, and own relationship maintenance are associated with marital satisfaction in both groups.
Anastasia Snyder (Advisor)
Claire Kamp Dush (Committee Member)
Suzanne Bartle-Haring (Committee Member)
Psychology; Sociology; Womens Studies
sexual satisfaction; marriage

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mahambrey, M. (2020). Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1597242022842322

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mahambrey, Meghna. Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage. 2020. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1597242022842322.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mahambrey, Meghna. "Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1597242022842322

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1597242022842322
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