A closer look at attachment, sexuality, and couple relationships

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1362-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean M. Busby ◽  
Veronica Hanna-Walker ◽  
Jeremy B. Yorgason
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Attachment Patterns ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Nationally Representative

In this study, the relationships between attachment patterns and relationship outcomes were explored through the mechanism of sexuality with two large samples from the U.S. In the first sample ( N = 4,834), the associations between insecure attachment patterns, the number of committed and casual sexual partners, timing of sexual debut, and relationship status were explored. In the second sample, a nationally representative sample of recently married couples ( N = 4212), an actor–partner model was used to explore the associations with attachment on the number of sexual partners and sexual timing and their subsequent influence on relationship and sexual satisfaction over two time points. The results indicated that, for Sample 1, insecure attachment was associated with both the number of casual and committed sexual partners and an increased likelihood of being single for men and women. For Sample 2, the actor–partner measures of attachment were associated with relationship and sexual satisfaction over two time points but had weak associations with the number of sexual partners and sexual timing.

Applying the developmental model of marital competence to sexual satisfaction: Associations between conflict resolution quality, forgiveness, attachment, and sexual satisfaction

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752098485
Author(s):  
David B. Allsop ◽  
Chelom E. Leavitt ◽  
Matthew T. Saxey ◽  
Joshua E. Timmons ◽  
Jason S. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

Sexual satisfaction is a complex construct that is affected by many diverse factors. Without a comprehensive framework guiding their work, scholars and practitioners who work with married couples may inadvertently focus on a single factor affecting sexual satisfaction and subsequently limit the effectiveness of their research and practice. Through discussion and an empirical example, the current study explores how the developmental model of marital competence—a comprehensive theory for understanding marital processes—can be used by scholars and practitioners to guide their work on sexual satisfaction and broaden their approach. Utilizing U.S. nationally representative data from 2,114 mixed-sex couples and guided by the actor-partner-interdependence-model, cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between wives’ and husbands’ sexual satisfaction and three factors—conflict resolution quality, forgiveness, and anxious and avoidant attachment—that correspond to the three domains of the developmental model of marital competence—marital communication, marital virtues, and marital identities—were tested. Results of the current study provide empirical support for the use of the developmental model of marital competence when approaching work on sexual relationships among married, heterosexual couples. For both partners, variables from each of the three domains of this model were associated with sexual satisfaction cross-sectionally, and variables in one domain—attachment avoidance and anxiety—were associated with changes in sexual satisfaction over time. The merits of researchers and practitioners integrating the developmental model of marital competence into their work are discussed.

Sexual habits before multiple sclerosis: a National case—control study

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øjvind Lidegaard ◽  
Anne Louise Svendsen
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners ◽  
Control Study

The trigging off agent for multiple sclerosis (MS) is despite intensive epidemiological and biomedical research still unknown. The disease is typically diagnosed in reproductive age and recent findings have suggested that MS could be a sexually transmitted disease. Aim To assess the influence of different sexual practices in young age on the risk of developing MS, and specifically to explore the possible impact of oral sex and oral sperm exposure on this risk. Design National case—control study. Methods Inclusion: Danish women with a first time MS discharge diagnosis from a neurological department at most 40 years old during the period 1998—2005, and an age and geographically matched control group. The response rate to our postal questionnaires was 75% for cases and 61% for controls. A total of 604/619 completed case/control questionnaires were included in the analysis. Data underwent logistic regression analysis. Results We found no difference between women with and without MS for years of schooling, oral herpes infections, genital herpes, blood transfusions, age at sexual debut, age at coital debut, number of sexual partners before and after age 20 years, anal sex, condyloma attack or chlamydia infections. Family disposition with an affected father, mother or sibling, increased the risk of MS 9.1, 6.9 and 4.1 times, respectively. A total of 68% of cases and of 72% of controls had oral sex sometimes or often before their 20th year. Among women entertaining oral sex, 53%, respectively, 54% had experienced oral sperm exposure. Also oral sex after 20 years was similar in women with and without MS. Conclusion Neither oral sex in early reproductive age, oral sperm exposure, oral sex after 20 years, sexual debut, nor number of sexual partners had any association to the risk of later developing MS. This study does not support the hypothesis that MS is a sexually transmitted or acquired disease. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 67—72. http://msj.sagepub.com

scholarly journals Individual and community-level factors associated with lifetime number of sexual partners among women aged 15–49 in Eswatini

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0246100
Author(s):  
Maswati S. Simelane ◽  
Kerry Vermaak ◽  
Eugene Zwane ◽  
Sdumo Masango
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Lifetime Number ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners

Introduction Understanding the risk factors for behavioral patterns in sexual relationships play a significant role in the reduction of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Objective To investigate individual and community level factors on the lifetime number of sexual partners of women in Eswatini Material and methods The study was a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). A total of 2,832 women aged 15–49 years were asked in total, how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime. The multilevel negative binomial regression model was used to analyze the data. Results The overall mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.66, 2.91) in 2014. Compared to women aged 15–19, those aged 20 years and older, formerly married or never married reported more lifetime sexual partners compared to currently married women. Those that were aged 15 years and older at sexual debut reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those that were aged less than 15 years. Compared to women that used a condom at last sexual intercourse, those that did not use a condom at last sexual encounter reported fewer lifetime sexual partners. Relative to women that lived with their sons and daughters, those that did not live with their sons and daughters reported more lifetime sexual partners. Women that lived in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions reported fewer lifetime sexual partners compared to those residents in the Hhohho region. Conclusion Overall, lifetime sexual partners in Eswatini was significantly associated with individual characteristics and is unique across regions. Programs that aim to elucidate the factors associated with incident HIV infections among women in Eswatini should focus on individual and community-level factors that are associated with multiple sexual partnerships, which in turn might increase the risk of HIV exposure.

Responsiveness to personal positive events in married couples predicts positive relationship outcomes

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Setrakian ◽  
Gian Gonzaga ◽  
Lynette Lau ◽  
Gazi Begum ◽  
Thomas Bradbury
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Positive Events ◽  
Relationship Outcomes

scholarly journals Number of Sexual Partners and Associations with Initiation and Intensity of Substance Use

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg ◽  
Melissa J. Krauss ◽  
Edward L. Spitznagel ◽  
Mario Schootman ◽  
Linda B. Cottler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners

scholarly journals Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Extramarital Sex Among Nigerian Men

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kola Oyediran ◽  
Uche C. Isiugo-Abanihe ◽  
Bamikale J. Feyisetan ◽  
Gbenga P. Ishola
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Extramarital Sex ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Family ◽  
Gender Based

This study used data on currently married and cohabiting men aged 15 to 64 years from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with extramarital sex. The results show that 16% engaged in extramarital sex in the 12 months preceding the survey and had an average of 1.82 partners. The results also show statistically significant association between extramarital sex and ethnicity, religion, age, age at sexual debut, education, occupation, and place of residence. Based on the study results, it could be concluded that significant proportions of Nigerians are exposed to HIV infection through extramarital sex. A fundamental behavioral change expected in the era of HIV/AIDS is the inculcation of marital fidelity and emotional bonding between marital partners. The promotion of condom use among married couples should be intensified to protect women, a large number of whom are exposed to HIV infection from their spouses who engage in unprotected extramarital sex. And, because of gender-based power imbalances within the family, a large number of the women are unable to negotiate consistent condom use by their partners.

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