Discover the First Model of Sexual Satisfaction in Same-Sex Couples

What is it about?

Sexual satisfaction has often been described as a barometer of the quality of an intimate relationship. This dimension of sexuality—arising from both individual and shared sexual experiences—is grounded in the evaluation of the positive and negative aspects of one's sexual encounters. One of the major gaps in the study of sexual satisfaction is its limited exploration among groups whose sexual rights are still constrained in the social sphere, including same-sex couples. As a result, among the various theoretical models that have addressed this topic, none until now had focused exclusively on the experiences of people belonging to sexual diversity communities. This study validated one of the most established theoretical models of sexual satisfaction, the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction (IEMSS), in LGB same-sex couples. This theory posits that the maintenance, development, and deterioration of intimate relationships are influenced by the balance of positive (rewards) and negative (costs) exchanges—both sexual and non-sexual—occurring within the couple. The study included 228 Spanish same-sex couples (116 male and 112 female couples) who had been in a relationship for at least three months. Overall, the findings were largely consistent with previous results obtained in Spanish heterosexual couples. This suggests that certain psychosexual variables, including sexual satisfaction, may be more closely associated with gender than with sexual orientation. Specifically, in the case of male couples, sexual satisfaction was explained by three personal variables described by the IEMSS: relationship satisfaction, the balance between sexual rewards and costs, and the comparison level between sexual rewards and costs. For female couples, however, sexual satisfaction was not only influenced by these three personal variables but also by two partner variables—the partner's balance between sexual rewards and costs and their comparison level.

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Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The results highlight the importance of assessing both partners to better understand the dyadic dynamics that influence sexual satisfaction. This is particularly relevant for women, whose sexual satisfaction appears to be linked to both their own and their partner's experiences. These findings offer valuable insights for promoting sexual well-being and quality of life among same-sex couples.

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