Conceptualizing Sexual Pleasure at Home as a Work-Related Stress Recovery Activity

• Published in: The Journal of sex research 2024-02, Vol.61 (2), p.184-195
• Main Authors: Goodman, Rachel E., Snoeyink, Megan J., Martinez, Larry R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female; Humans; Job performance; Job satisfaction; Life satisfaction; Male; Masturbation; Occupational Stress; Pleasure; Recovery; Sexual Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Well being; Work; Workforce
• ISSN: 0022-4499; 1559-8519
• DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2150138

Job stress is pervasive in today's workforce and has negative implications for employees' mental and physical well-being and job performance. Recovery activities outside of work can reduce strain and improve work outcomes; however, little is known about pleasurable intimate recovery experiences and their influence on work outcomes, even though these experiences are important parts of most people's lives outside of work. The present study examined sexual activity that is shared either with a relationship partner or oneself (masturbation) and how pleasure specifically predicts well-being and work outcomes to induce recovery. Results suggest that pleasurable sexual activity, with a partner or alone, is related to perceived recovery from work stress, job satisfaction, work engagement, and life satisfaction. Moreover, perceived recovery from work mediated the relationship between pleasurable sex and work outcomes. Gender moderated this relationship such that pleasurable sex was a stronger predictor of recovery for women (compared to men) in the context of sex within committed relationship partners (but not masturbation). Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.