Use of an Ecological Model to Study Sexual Satisfaction in a Heterosexual Spanish Sample.

Sexual satisfaction is a key factor in sexual health and has been associated with quality of life. However, few studies have focused on the factors related to sexual satisfaction in the population in Spain. The main goal of this research was to analyze the predictive capacity of an ecological model for the study of sexual satisfaction in a Spanish sample of 723 men and 851 women, with mean age equal to 36.28 (SD = 12.59) and who were in a heterosexual relationship. We analyzed, using structural equation modeling, the degree to which sexual satisfaction was related to different variables. These variables were the following: personal variables (depression and sexual attitudes); interpersonal variables (relationship satisfaction, sexual function, and sexual assertiveness); social variables (social support, parenthood, and annual income); and cultural variables (political ideology, religion, and religious practice). In men, sexual satisfaction was directly predicted by relationship satisfaction and sexual function. Furthermore, political ideology, religious practice, social support, annual income, initiation sexual assertiveness, and sexual attitudes were indirectly associated with sexual satisfaction. In women, sexual satisfaction was directly predicted by relationship satisfaction, sexual function, sexual assertiveness, and sexual attitudes. In addition, political ideology, religious practice, and social support were indirectly associated with sexual satisfaction. Implications for research and therapy are also discussed.

Validation of the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire in adults with a same-sex partner.

The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (IEMSSQ) is one of the few instruments that has been developed from a theoretical model and assess sexual satisfaction. In addition, it has been successfully validated in Spanish heterosexual population. The objective of this study is to adapt and examine its psychometric properties (reliability, evidence of validity, and measurement invariance across sexual orientation and sex) in gay people in a relationship. METHOD: A sample of 1,820 adults, of whom 50% are gay people and 55% men, answered the Spanish version of the IEMSSQ. In addition, subjects with gay orientation answered the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. RESULTS: When comparing by sex and sexual orientation, the IEMSSQ has a strict invariant structure. Its reliability is good, and the evidence of construct and concurrent validity is adequate. However, the components of equality are moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The IEMSSQ makes it possible to compare the sexual satisfaction between gay/heterosexual men and women, presenting good psychometric properties in gay people, constituting an useful instrument in the clinical and research field.

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: El Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (IEMSSQ) es uno de los escasos instrumentos que evalúan la satisfacción sexual desde un modelo teórico y ha sido validado con éxito en población española heterosexual. El objetivo de este estudio es adaptar y examinar sus propiedades psicométricas (fiabilidad, evidencias de validez e invarianza según orientación sexual y sexo) en adultos gais con una relación de pareja. Método: Una muestra de 1.820 adultos, de los cuales el 50% son gais/lesbianas y el 55% hombres, contestó a la versión española del IEMSSQ. Además, los sujetos con orientación gay contestaron el Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire y la Escala de Ajuste Diádico. Resultados: El IEMSSQ posee una estructura invariante estricta, por sexo y orientación sexual. Su fiabilidad es buena, y las evidencias de validez de constructo y concurrente adecuadas, aunque moderadas en los componentes de igualdad. Conclusiones: El IEMSSQ permite comparar la satisfacción sexual entre hombres gais y mujeres lesbianas y heterosexuales, presentando buenas propiedades psicométricas en adultos gais, constituyendo un instrumento útil en el ámbito clínico y en el de la investigación.