The Relationship Between Emotional Intimacy and Sexual Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Sexual Communication Satisfaction
Summary
Previous research indicated that low sexual satisfaction is common among women and demonstrated that emotional intimacy is associated with sexual satisfaction. The present study investigated the relationship between emotional intimacy and sexual satisfaction, and the mediating role of sexual communication satisfaction in this relationship. In a cross-sectional design, 251 female participants met the criteria and completed an online questionnaire assessing emotional intimacy, sexual communication, and sexual satisfaction. Results showed that higher levels of emotional intimacy were associated with greater sexual satisfaction, and this relationship was mediated by sexual communication satisfaction. These findings suggest that satisfaction in sexual communication might explain how emotional intimacy influences sexual satisfaction, and clinicians and researchers should further evaluate the role of sexual communication satisfaction in the context of couple’s intimacy and sexual relationships.