The Relationship Between Sexual Self-Esteem and Sexual Satisfaction in Dutch Adult Women and Men: The Mediating Role of Sexual Assertiveness

Abstract

Sexual satisfaction (SS) is an important aspect of people’s sexual wellbeing and has been shown to bolster relational and overall wellbeing. Yet, SS is frequently investigated from a perspective of preventing dysfunction rather than enhancing wellbeing. Positive Psychology theory posits that sexual self-esteem (SSE) may play a crucial role in forming sexually satisfying partnerships by enabling people to be sexually assertive and thus facilitate more sexually pleasurable experiences. The present study aimed at further understanding this mechanism by investigating the mediating role of sexual assertiveness (SA) in the relationship between SSE and SS in men and women. In a cross-sectional design, 303 women and 85 men from the Netherlands completed an online survey measuring SSE, SA, and SS. Analyses revealed significant positive bivariate correlations between all study variables for both men and women. Significant results of a mediation analysis showed that SA partially mediated the association between SSE and SS. A subsequent moderated mediation analysis revealed that gender did not moderate any of the associations between SSE, SA, and SS. These findings corroborate prior research into the relationships between SSE, SA, and SS and suggest that there are no meaningful gender differences regarding the examined mechanism behind SS. The results indicate SSE and SA as suitable intervention points for enhancing SS.