Sexual Desire Discrepancy: The Effect of Individual Differences in Desired and Actual Sexual Frequency on Dating Couples

Keywords

Sexual desire Sexual satisfaction Relationships Sexual frequency Premarital

Abstract

The present study used a sample of 8,096 dating couples from the United States to explore how sexual desire discrepancy was associated with relationship satisfaction and stability. Sexual desire discrepancy was the difference between an individual’s desired level of sexual intercourse and the actual frequency of sexual intercourse within a given relationship. Actor and partner effects were explored. Results suggested that higher discrepancy between sexual desire and frequency was associated with higher relationship satisfaction and lower relationship stability but that these associations were moderated by gender and relationship length. Female sexual desire discrepancy had a particularly strong effect on relationship satisfaction. It was also found that high discrepancies tended to be associated with negative out comes in relationships with longer relationship length.

Original Publication Citation

Willoughby, B. J. & Vitas, J.* (2012). Sexual desire discrepancy: The effect of individual differences in desired and actual sexual frequency on dating couples. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41, 477-486.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009-10-10

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7878

Publisher

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS