Couples' Sexual Communication and Dimensions of Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis

Research and clinical data have shown that couples with sexual problems report a lack of sexual communication. However, no published meta-analyses have evaluated the relationship between sexual communication and sexual function. This meta-analysis examines the correlation between couples' sexua...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of sex research 2019-09, Vol.56 (7), p.882-898
Main Authors: Mallory, Allen B., Stanton, Amelia M., Handy, Ariel B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical research
Communication
Condoms
Couples
EMPIRICAL ARTICLES
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Libido - physiology
Male
Meta-analysis
Odors
Orgasm
Orgasm - physiology
Pain
Sexual arousal
Sexual behavior
Sexual Behavior - physiology
Sexual Behavior - psychology
Sexual desire
Sexual Partners - psychology
Sexual problems
Spouses - psychology
Systematic review
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Summary:Research and clinical data have shown that couples with sexual problems report a lack of sexual communication. However, no published meta-analyses have evaluated the relationship between sexual communication and sexual function. This meta-analysis examines the correlation between couples' sexual communication and dimension of sexual function across 48 studies. Sexual communication was positively associated with sexual desire (r = .16), sexual arousal (r = .21), lubrication (r = .17), orgasm (r = .23), erectile function (r = .19), less pain (r = .12), and overall sexual function (r = .35). The effect sizes for sexual desire (r = .21; r = .12) and orgasm (r = .26; r = .16) were higher for women than for men. For overall sexual function, studies with married participants (r = .47) had a larger effect size than studies with participants with multiple relationship types (r = .31) or than studies with dating participants (r = .11). Effect sizes were larger for studies conducted outside of the United States (r = .39) compared to studies conducted in the United States (r = .12). We discuss the importance of addressing the relationship between sexual communication and sexual function, as well as future directions for research in this area.
ISSN:0022-4499
1559-8519
1559-8519
DOI:10.1080/00224499.2019.1568375