Work

Exploring Intimate Dynamics in Same‐Sex Couples: The Role of the Subjective Orgasm Experience in Relationship Satisfaction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The subjective orgasm experience (SOE) is conceptualized as the evaluation of orgasm from a psychological approach. There are a few precedents regarding the association of this dimension of sexuality with nonsexual aspects, such as relationship satisfaction. This study involved 110 Spanish same‐sex couples (53 male and 57 female), ages ranging from 18 to 54 years, and an average relationship duration of 42.82 months. Most participants reported exclusively homosexual sexual practices, with some engaging in varying degrees of bisexual contact. The study analyzed the dyadic effects of SOE dimensions (i.e., affective, sensory, intimacy, and rewards) on relationship satisfaction and the extent to which intradyadic discrepancies in SOE dimensions explain the variance in relationship satisfaction. In male couples, relationship satisfaction was positively explained by the individual's affective dimension and negatively explained by the partner's intimacy dimension. In female couples, it was positively explained by the partner's rewards dimension. The analysis of discrepancies revealed a decrease in relationship satisfaction due to intradyadic discrepancies in the affective and intimacy dimensions, but only in male couples. Our findings emphasize the need to consider how the perception of orgasm may influence satisfaction with relationship quality and the valuation of bonding.

Source: Personal Relationships

DOI: 10.1111/pere.70003

Authors: Pablo Mangas, Juan Carlos Sierra, Carlos Pérez‐Amorós

Institutions: Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Mente, Cerebro y Comportamiento

Language: English

Topic: Sexual function and dysfunction studies

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Social Fund