The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Sexual Mindfulness and Relational Quality in a Sample of Iranian Women.

Mindfulness during sex has shown many positive relational and sexual outcomes. However, little is known about the ways in which sexual mindfulness works to improve an individual's experience. This study investigated the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between sexual mindfulness and relational quality in a sample of Iranian women. Using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, we examined data from 265 women aged 19 to 50 years (M = 31.76, SD = 8.47). Results showed a significant positive relationship between relational quality and sexual mindfulness (p < .001, ß = .13), sexual mindfulness and reappraisal strategy (p < .001, ß = .65), and relational quality and reappraisal strategy (p < .001, ß = .78). The reduction of the path coefficient in the full mediation model compared to the direct model indicating a partial mediation role of the reappraisal strategy was confirmed in relation to sexual mindfulness and relational quality. These findings may help identify one path, emotion regulation, through which sexual mindfulness works. This study provides psychologists and counselors evidence that both sexual mindfulness and emotion regulation are positive skills that likely improve the quality of their clients' relationships.

The Power of Mindfulness: Examining Power Imbalances, Mindfulness, and Couples' Relational and Sexual Well-Being.

Perceptions of power imbalance are common in relationships. We used the relational model of mindfulness to examine links between marital perceptions of power, relational and sexual well-being and to evaluate whether trait mindfulness and sexual mindfulness moderate these associations. Using a nationally representative sample (N = 1,519 couples at Wave III) of mixed-sex newlywed couples, an actor-partner-interdependence model indicated that trait mindfulness and state sexually mindful awareness buffered the link between men's and women's own perceived power imbalance and relational well-being. Sexually mindful non-judgment, however, accentuated the negative association between perceived power imbalance and sexual well-being for men. We discuss the need for therapists to consider the need to encourage mindful awareness to attenuate perceptions of power imbalances and to evaluate how sexually mindful non-judgment influences men's feelings of sexual well-being. Therapeutic implications of these findings are also discussed.

A trifecta: patterns in orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: We based this study on the sexual wholeness model, which considers emotional, physical, and meaning elements of sexuality, and previous research that indicates variability in the associations among orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. AIM: We performed a person-based latent class approach to examine variables linked with the trifecta of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. METHODS: We used a Mechanical Turk sample that consisted of 1645 sexually active participants (1032 women) to evaluate classes and related variables. OUTCOMES: Women divided into 5 classes and men into 3 classes. High orgasm consistency alone did not ensure sexual or relational satisfaction. RESULTS: We found that 5 groups emerged for women: high orgasm/low satisfaction (6%), low trifecta (8%), low orgasm/high satisfaction (16%), moderate orgasm/high satisfaction (15%), and high trifecta (55%). For men, 3 groups emerged: lower orgasm/high satisfaction (12%), moderate trifecta (14%), and high trifecta (74%). We also found that high orgasm consistency for women did not guarantee relational and sexual satisfaction, nor did lower orgasm consistency for men or women guarantee problematic relational and sexual satisfaction. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Communication, attachment, and sexual harmony were key elements associated with positive trifecta outcomes. Clinicians and educators may emphasize the importance of these variables when individuals encounter sexual or relational distress. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Data analytic techniques revealed a variety of groups for men and women and associations between a host of physical, psychological, and meaning variables and the trifecta of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. However, this study is cross-sectional and correlational, which limits the conclusions that we can draw from it. CONCLUSION: While the variables of orgasm consistency, relational satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction are each informative, together they help clinicians, educators, and researchers better understand the complexity of sex.

Religiosity, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Sexual Mindfulness and Sexual Sanctification.

There are a variety of conditions under which religiosity may be positively or negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction. To better understand these conditions, we conducted two studies using two separate samples: one with individuals (1,695 individuals), and one with couples (481 dyads), to test how sexual sanctification and sexual mindfulness moderate these associations. Across studies sexual mindfulness was positively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction for the individual and partner, but there was no evidence for moderation; sexual sanctification was consistently associated with higher sexual and relationship satisfaction, and in some cases moderated the association between religiosity and both sexual and relationship satisfaction for women and men. In Study 1, religiosity was associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction for both men and women when sexual sanctification was low, but not with either type of satisfaction when sexual sanctification was high. In Study 2, religiosity was positively associated with sexual satisfaction for men but only when sexual sanctification was high. The combined evidence indicates that sexual sanctification may be one factor that distinguishes whether religion helps or hinders sexual and relationship satisfaction.

The Need for Sexual Wholeness: Linking Self-Determination Theory to the Physical, Emotional, and Meaning Aspects of Sex.

Sexuality is a highly complex aspect of a human's existence with several elements contributing to a quality sexual relationship. This study examined a broad scope of sexuality encompassing physical, emotional, and meaning aspects of sex, or sexual wholeness. Sexual wholeness is grounded in the idea that a self-determined sexual relationship in which three innate human needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are met is more likely to promote sexual well-being. Using a sample of 884 adults in long-term relationships, we used structural equation modeling to estimate the association between each of the three self-determination theory (SDT) needs and the physical, emotional, and meaning aspects of sex. We found that overall, greater SDT needs satisfaction predicted sexual wholeness, though some needs held more bearing than others and the associations with components of sexual wholeness varied. For women, the physical aspect of sex was predicted by autonomy (predicted comfort) and competence (predicted sexual knowledge) but for the physical aspects of sex for men, no significant associations were found. The emotional aspect of sex was associated with all three SDT needs for both men and women and sexual meaning was associated with competence and relatedness for both men and women.

Religiosity, sexual behaviors, sexual motivations, and gender: A three-year longitudinal study.

Longitudinal data are critical for examining associations of religiosity with sexual behaviors and motivations during college. We use hierarchical linear modeling on five semesters of data from a diverse sample of college students (N = 735) to examine within- and between-person associations between religious service attendance and importance of religion and sexual behaviors and motivations for and against sex and consider gender as a moderator. Between-person religiosity was associated with sexual behaviors and motivations whereas within-person religiosity was not. Students' sexual motivations co-varied across semesters with their religious service attendance and importance of religion. Our results indicated more restrictive associations between religiosity and sexual motivations for women than for men.

Religious Piety and Sexual Passion: What Is the Connection?

The association between religiosity and the construct of sexual passion was examined to see whether religiosity is associated with harmonious, inhibited, and obsessive sexual passion styles. Using multiple regression and checking for interactions between religiosity, gender, broad categories of religion (Catholic, other Christian, other religious, nonreligious), and the three sexual passion styles, the following associations were found: Religiosity had a significant curvilinear relationship to all three sexual passion styles, suggesting an overlap in levels of religiosity and the construct of sexual passion. Optimal sexual passion outcomes were found at both higher and lower levels of religiosity, whereas mid-level religiosity was associated with the less beneficial sexual passion outcomes. Religious men were significantly more obsessively passionate than religious women, and religious men and women were similarly high on levels of harmonious and low on inhibited sexual passion. There were no significant interactions between religiosity, broad categories of religion, and sexual passion styles. Understanding how religion and sexual passion are associated could be useful for applied researchers as well as those who work with religious individuals who want to help these individuals develop beneficial patterns of sexual passion.

Is Kissing a Bellwether of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction?

In this study we explored how the amount of kissing during the most recent sexual experience (specific kissing) and amount of kissing during the last year (global kissing) were both associated with the quality of the sexual relationship and overall relationship satisfaction and dissatisfaction. To understand these associations, we obtained surveys from a national sample of 878 participants who had been in a romantic relationship for at least two years. We evaluated their results through a structural equation model and found that for women the rates of specific kissing were associated with their ability to orgasm, sexual frequency, and indirectly to sexual satisfaction. For both men and women, measures of global kissing were associated with both sexual and relationship satisfaction but more strongly with measures of sexual and relationship dissatisfaction. These findings suggest that measures of kissing could be used as a bellwether of both the quality of the sexual relationship for women and of feelings of dissatisfaction about both the sexual and overall relationship for both sexes.

When Is Enough Enough? Orgasm's Curvilinear Association With Relational and Sexual Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Curvilinearity has been found for sexual frequency, but research has not examined whether curvilinear associations exist for other aspects of sexual relationships like orgasm consistency. AIM: We examined whether there is curvilinearity and the nature of that curvilinearity between orgasm consistency and sexual and relational satisfaction for men and women. METHODS: With pooled samples of 1,619 and 1,695 men and women from Amazon's Mechanical Turk, we examined the differences of orgasm consistency values and both sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction through analysis of variance. We then tested for curvilinearity between orgasm consistency and sexual and relational satisfaction with regression analyses. OUTCOMES: For men we found no evidence of a curvilinear relationship, but for women we found a curvilinear relationship between orgasm consistency values and both sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. RESULTS: Across tests, the overall picture suggests that there is no curvilinear association for men, but there is for women. For women, with each unit increase in orgasm consistency, the increase in sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction became progressively smaller. Past the 61-80% threshold for orgasm consistency, there was little gain in sexual satisfaction and no gain in relational satisfaction. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Physicians, therapists, and educators can reorient women's orgasm expectations by explaining that having regular orgasms-not necessarily always-is associated with satisfaction in their relationship and sexual experience. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Converging large samples and data analytic techniques evinced the curvilinear association between orgasm consistency and both relational and sexual satisfaction for women. However, this study is cross-sectional and correlational, which limits the conclusions we can draw from it. CONCLUSION: While men's orgasm consistency is linearly associated with relational and sexual satisfaction, more consistent orgasms seem to be associated with women's sexual and relational satisfaction, to a point. Leavitt CE, Leonhardt ND, Busby DM, et al. When Is Enough Enough? Orgasm's Curvilinear Association With Relational and Sexual Satisfaction. J Sex Med 2021;18:167-178.

How Gender Differences in Emotional Cutoff and Reactivity Influence Couple's Sexual and Relational Outcomes.

We evaluated gender differences in differentiation of self, specifically addressing aspects of emotional cutoff (EC) and emotional reactivity (ER), and their association with relational and sexual satisfaction and sexual desire. Midlife U.S. men and women (N = 334 married heterosexual couples; 50% female; 85% Caucasian, mean age 47.4 years) completed online surveys. Men reported higher levels of EC compared to women after accounting for control variables-a medium effect (Cohen's d = .48) which negatively predicted their own relationship and sexual satisfaction as well as partner relationship satisfaction. Women's EC was also negatively associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Women reported higher levels of ER compared to men after accounting for control variables-a small effect (Cohen's d = .18). No associations with ER and outcome variables were found and no other partner effects were found. For couples in which the woman was higher on ER, the association between women's T1 emotional reactivity and men's T2 sexual desire was positive and significant (B = .31, p < .05). These findings underscore the influence of emotional cutoff on relationship satisfaction and sexual desire and the importance of staying engaged even through relational conflict.

Forgiveness and Gratitude: Links Between Couples' Mindfulness and Sexual and Relational Satisfaction in New Cisgender Heterosexual Marriages.

The association of mindfulness with couples' relational and sexual satisfaction may be mediated by forgiveness and gratitude. Although forgiveness and gratitude have individually been shown to play a role in couples' relational and sexual satisfaction, we use an integrated model. This study included 1,360 couples recruited through a nationwide two-stage cluster stratification. Using an actor-partner interdependence model, we found significant indirect effects (ß = 0.01, 0.08, p < .01), indicating that forgiveness and gratitude mediated many of the associations between couples' mindfulness and their sexual and relational satisfaction. This may provide useful information for clinicians and therapists when addressing marital issues.

How Empathy Moderates Associations Between Sexual and Relational Satisfaction.

Those with low sexual satisfaction tend to have low relational satisfaction. However, literature provides examples of those who maintain satisfying relationships despite low sexual satisfaction yet provides few clues as to what factors protect these individuals. Using U.S. nationally representative data from 1569 newlywed couples, we investigated if empathy for one's partner buffers individuals and couples from low relational satisfaction due to low sexual satisfaction. The positive connection between sexual satisfaction and relational satisfaction was weak for those reporting high empathy but was strong for those reporting low empathy. Empathy may protect against poor relational satisfaction when sexual satisfaction is low.

Mindfulness and Sexual Mindfulness as Moderators Between Conflict Resolution and Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction.

Mindfulness has shown positive links with conflict resolution. Additionally, couples skilled in conflict resolution report greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, no research has examined the moderating effect of mindfulness, specifically sexual mindfulness, between conflict resolution and sexual and relationship satisfaction. We used 1,627 couples from wave III of the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences (CREATE) study. Sexual mindfulness moderated the association between conflict resolution and sexual satisfaction, even after controlling for attachment. Wives higher in sexual mindful awareness may rely less on conflict resolution for their sexual satisfaction. Karremans and colleagues' (2017) model of mindfulness and romantic relationships provides a framework for testing whether, when, and how mindfulness increases positive romantic relationship processes and outcomes. Under this framework, mindfulness may provide a mechanism to help couples achieve sexual and relationship satisfaction. Mindfulness and sexual mindfulness may provide a useful mechanism for therapists, educators, social workers, and couples to enhance satisfaction within the romantic and sexual relationship even without partner buy-in.

Linking Sexual Mindfulness to Mixed-Sex Couples' Relational Flourishing, Sexual Harmony, and Orgasm.

Marriage is an important adult relationship, and recent research indicates that sexual mindfulness, awareness and non-judgment, may be an important tool in helping maintain relational and sexual well-being. Using a nationally representative U.S. sample of newly married, mixed-sex couples (women's age M = 29.70 years; men's age M = 31.76 years; N = 1473 couples), we evaluated whether the two factors of sexual mindfulness, awareness and non-judgment, were linked with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. We utilized an actor-partner interdependence model within a structural equation modeling framework to evaluate how husbands' and wives' awareness and non-judgment were associated with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. Results indicated that both wives' and husbands' awareness was positively associated with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. Partner effects were found for all outcomes. However, no partner effects were found between non-judgment and orgasm consistency. Therapists, educators, and couples may consider the use of sexual mindfulness skills when addressing marriage and sexual relationships.

Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Evaluating a General Meaning of Sex Measure.

The presence of and search for meaning has divergent and salient outcomes for individuals' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Although numerous domains of meaning have been examined, the literature on the meaning of sex is sparse and lacks a quantitative measure. In this study, we evaluated a new general Meaning of Sex (MOS) Measure that captured the presence of (MOS-P) and search for (MOS-S) the meaning of sex by analyzing how these subscales were associated with important relational and sexual outcomes (i.e., relationship stability and satisfaction and sexual satisfaction) in two samples. For Sample 1, all participants (N = 865) reported engaging in what they considered to be sexual intercourse and were either single or in a relationship. For Sample 2, all participants (N = 884) reported being in a committed relationship for at least two years. With both samples, confirmatory factor analyses showed good construct validity as the two subscales were distinct from one another and had good reliability. The analyses also demonstrated divergent validity between both scales and meaning in life, sexual motivations, sexual beliefs, and religiosity. The MOS-S had a strong (and negative) association with relationship stability in both samples. The MOS-P had a strong (and positive) association with relationship satisfaction in both samples.

La presencia y la búsqueda de significado tiene consecuencias divergentes y prominentes para el bienestar físico, mental y emocional de las personas. Aunque se han analizado varios componentes de significado, la bibliografía sobre el significado del sexo es escasa y carece de un instrumento de medición cuantitativo. En este estudio, evaluamos un nuevo instrumento general de medición del significado del sexo que captó la presencia y la búsqueda del significado del sexo analizando cómo estas subescalas estuvieron asociadas con resultados sexuales y relacionales importantes (p. ej.: la estabilidad y la satisfacción en la relación y la satisfacción sexual) en dos muestras. En la muestra 1, todos los participantes (N = 865) informaron participar en lo que consideraron relaciones sexuales y estaban solteros o en una relación. En la muestra 2, todos los participantes (N = 884) informaron estar en una relación de pareja estable durante al menos dos años. Con ambas muestras, los análisis factoriales confirmatorios indicaron una buena validez de constructo, ya que las dos subescalas eran distintas entre sí y tenían buena fiabilidad. Los análisis también indicaron una validez divergente entre ambas escalas y el significado en la vida, las motivaciones sexuales, las creencias sexuales y la religiosidad. La búsqueda del significado del sexo tuvo una asociación fuerte (y negativa) con la estabilidad de la relación en ambas muestras. La presencia del significado del sexo tuvo una asociación fuerte (y positiva) con la satisfacción en la relación en ambas muestras.

Perspectives from Highly Religious Families on Boundaries and Rules About Sex.

We investigated the intersection of religion and boundaries placed around sex using qualitative data from 198 highly religious Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families. Coding performed by two researchers resulted in six core themes that provide insight into the connection between these two domains. Frequency counts of the core themes, participant quotes, and implications are presented-including the benefits of practitioners inquiring into how clients' faith affects sexual behavior and scripts, how fidelity and vows might serve a protective function for the relationships of highly religious couples, and how religion may empower women in terms of sexual boundary setting.

Associations of mindfulness with adolescent outcomes and sexuality.

INTRODUCTION: Using an online survey, we evaluated how adolescent trait and state mindfulness was associated with positive adolescent outcomes in non-sexually active and sexually active adolescents. Additionally, we evaluated a newly developed measure, the Sexual Mindfulness Measure (SMM), with adolescents. METHODS: We asked 2000 U.S. adolescents (half boys/girls; 1/3 low, medium, and high incomes) aged 13-18 (one group 13-15, another 16-18) about trait mindfulness, sexual state mindfulness, and adolescent outcomes. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structured equation modeling, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the SMM and its associations with adolescent outcomes. RESULTS: Using a trait mindfulness measure, we found that mindful adolescents with no sexual experience, showed positive associations with self-efficacy, body-esteem, and disclosure with both fathers and mothers. Evaluating adolescents who were sexually active, we confirmed that the SMM had a two-factor structure and demonstrated acceptable reliability for both male and female adolescents. We found that the SMM was associated with positive sexual attitudes, body image, self-efficacy, and disclosure to parents above and beyond trait mindfulness. CONCLUSIONS: Trait mindfulness was associated with positive self-assessments and parental disclosure. The SMM provided an important assessment of how sexually active adolescents' ability to remain aware and non-judgmental during sexual experiences may be positively associated with outcomes such as sexual consent, positive body image, self-efficacy, disclosure to parents, and negatively associated with sexual shame and sexual anxiety above and beyond trait mindfulness.

Fraternity Membership, Traditional Masculinity Ideologies, and Impersonal Sex: Selection and Socialization Effects.

Fraternity culture perpetuates traditional masculinity ideologies, but little research has considered the process by which men internalize these ideologies. Men may select into fraternities based on preexisting ideologies, or fraternities may have a socializing effect on ideologies. We used two longitudinal datasets to explore selection and socialization effects of fraternity membership on masculinity ideologies (gendered beliefs, gendered traits, and sexual double standard beliefs) and impersonal sex (sexual motives and multiple sex partners) among ethnically and racially diverse college men. Using dataset one (n = 166, M = 18.0 years old fall of first year), we explored the selection and socialization effects of fraternity membership on male role norms, masculine traits, and endorsement of the sexual double standard. Men who more strongly endorsed male role norms about status and the sexual double standard were more likely to join fraternities than other men, indicating selection effects. Using dataset two (n = 256, M = 18.5 years old fall of first year), we explored selection and socialization effects of fraternity membership on sex motives and multiple sex partners. We did not find much evidence for selection or socialization effects on sex motives and multiple sex partners. Our findings may inform intervention efforts for men before and during college.

The role of sexual mindfulness in sexual wellbeing, Relational wellbeing, and self-esteem.

In this study we examine the role of sexual mindfulness in individuals' sexual satisfaction, relational satisfaction, and self-esteem. Midlife U.S. men and women (N = 194 married, heterosexual individuals; 50.7% female; 94% Caucasian, age range 35-60 years) completed an online survey. More sexually mindful individuals tended to have better self-esteem, be more satisfied with their relationships and, particularly for women, be more satisfied with their sex lives. Some of these associations occurred even after controlling for trait mindfulness. These findings may also allow researchers and therapists to better address an individual's sexual wellbeing, relational wellbeing, and self-esteem by teaching sexual mindfulness skills.

Never Been Kissed: Correlates of Lifetime Kissing Status in U.S. University Students.

Kissing a partner occurs relatively early during adolescence. Thus, young adults who have never kissed are off-time from their peers. Substantial exploration in the areas of identity and intimacy occur during this period, and kissing may fulfill both of these functions, addressing autonomy and relatedness motives for sexual behaviors. We examined the prevalence and personal, contextual, and adjustment/health predictors of delayed onset of kissing. An ethnically and racially diverse sample of traditionally aged first year university students (N = 738; 50.7% female) completed online surveys. Only 14.2% of young adults had never kissed a partner on the lips. Compared to their peers who had kissed partners, young adults who had never kissed were more likely to be Asian-American, less likely to be in a romantic relationship, were less extraverted, were more likely to be in the Honors College, and drank alcohol less frequently. In bivariate models but not the multivariate model, young adults who had never kissed were more neurotic, had mothers who were less facilitating of independence, and had lower self-esteem. Findings inform understanding of normative sexuality development, and inform future research on normative and off-time sexual behaviors in young adulthood.