Gratitude and sexual satisfaction

Benefits of gratitude for couples and insecure attachment

Bibliographic Data

ID2932848
AuthorsNathan D Leonhardt (0000-0002-9253-117X, Brigham Young University, corresponding author), Michael A Drobenko (University of Toronto Mississauga), Stephanie Raposo (0000-0002-5338-5253, York University), Amy Muise (0000-0002-9000-4106, York University), Natalie M Sisson (0000-0003-0758-3803, University of Toronto Mississauga), Emily Impett (0000-0003-3348-7524, University of Toronto Mississauga)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue12
Pages4124-4147
Publication date2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075231201540
OpenAlexW4386686677
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited48

People with insecure attachment tend to experience more relationship-related issues, including lower sexual satisfaction. Although gratitude is a powerful emotion that can be used to boost and maintain relationship quality, it is unclear whether gratitude can help sustain sexual satisfaction in relationships. The current research tested whether expressed and perceived expressions of gratitude promote daily sexual satisfaction, as well as whether they can attenuate the negative effects of attachment insecurity (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) on sexual satisfaction in three 21-day dyadic daily experience studies (Study 1: n = 101 couples; Study 2: n = 121 couples; Study 3: n = 118 couples). Results indicated that expressed and perceived gratitude were associated with higher sexual satisfaction (though the association was no longer significant when accounting for relationship satisfaction). Additionally, in Studies 1 and 3, gratitude buffered the negative association between attachment anxiety and sexual satisfaction. These studies provide preliminary support for the role of gratitude in shaping sexual satisfaction, particularly for people higher in attachment anxiety. Future research should determine the specific conditions under which gratitude promotes satisfying sexual relationships for insecurely attached individuals

Anxiety · Association (psychology · Developmental psychology · Gratitude · Psychotherapist · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Clinical Psychology · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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