Exploring a Contextual Model of Sexual Self-Disclosure and Sexual Satisfaction

J Sex Res. 2018 Feb;55(2):202-213. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1295299. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Abstract

Sexual self-disclosure is a critical component of relationship and sexual satisfaction, yet little is known about the mechanisms that facilitate a person's engagement in sexual self-disclosure. Individuals (N = 265) involved in romantic relationships participated in an online study testing a contextual model of sexual self-disclosure across three contexts: relationship context, sexual self-disclosure context, and outcome of sexual self-disclosure. Results suggest that sexual satisfaction was predicted by a positive relationship context and a positive sexual self-disclosure context. In addition, the sexual self-disclosure context was predicted by the relationship context. These findings emphasize the importance of examining contextual influences that determine whether an individual will engage in or avoid sexual self-disclosure and the consequences of this engagement or avoidance on sexual satisfaction.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disclosure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Orgasm*
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • Young Adult