Sexual beliefs in couple relationships: Exploring the pathways of mindfulness, communication, and sexual functioning on sexual passion and satisfaction

• Published in: Family process Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 130 - 150
• Main Authors: Busby, Dean M., Spencer, Sierra, Butler, Mark H., Anderson, Shayne R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-03-2024
• Subjects: Associations; Communication; Couples; Dyads; Heterosexuality; Implicit beliefs; Mindfulness; Satisfaction; Sexual behavior; Sexual beliefs; Sexual development; Sexual functioning; sexual passion; Sexual satisfaction; sexuality; Structural equation modeling; Variables; sexual passion; sexual beliefs; sexuality; sexual satisfaction
• ISSN: 0014-7370; 1545-5300
• DOI: 10.1111/famp.12917

Two types of sexual beliefs, growth and destiny, have been found in past research to be differentially associated with sexual and relationship outcomes; however, past research has not explored these beliefs with dyadic data nor considered common intervening variables that might be pathways through which beliefs influence outcomes. Consequently, using the sexual wholeness model, we analyzed how couples' specific sexual beliefs (growth and destiny) influenced their sexual mindfulness, communication, and functioning within their couple relationships and how each of these variables influenced sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion. Using a national sample of dyadic data from 964 sexually active individuals (482 heterosexual couples) who had been in a committed relationship for at least 2 years, we evaluated an actor/partner structural equation model with distinguishable dyads. We found that while sexual growth and destiny beliefs had a significant association with sexual mindfulness, communication, and functioning for both partners, sexual beliefs had no direct association with sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion. Because growth beliefs had strong associations with sexual communication, it may be beneficial to help couples identify their implicit beliefs and encourage the development of sexual growth beliefs.