Preliminary Evidence for a Relationship Between Physiological Synchrony and Sexual Satisfaction in Opposite-Sex Couples

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past 3 decades, our understanding of physiological synchrony (PS) has increased substantially. Research has shown that interpersonal PS is stronger in relationships characterized by emotional closeness and intimacy and that the magnitude of PS is moderated by relational satisfaction. Despite growing momentum for this area of study, no research to date has examined the relationship between PS and sexual satisfaction.

Aim: The current study seeks to elucidate the relationship between PS and sexual satisfaction using study tasks that have been used in previous research to assess PS.

Methods: Heterosexual couples completed several survey measures in a laboratory setting. They were then connected to an electrocardiogram and instructed to complete baseline, gazing, and mirroring tasks. Subsequently, heart rate (HR) data for each dyad were analyzed for PS using a moderated multilevel modeling approach.

Main outcome measure: Scores on the Sexual Satisfaction Scale were used to moderate dyadic coherence between male and female partner HRs over time.

Results: PS was detected in our sample, with both men reliably predicting the HR of their female partners, and women reliably predicting the HR of their male partners. Akaike information criterion values indicate the better fitting model for each task was for men predicting the women's HRs. A significant interaction effect was found between observed PS during the mirroring task (with male HR predicting female HR) and overall sexual satisfaction scores. There was no relationship between PS during baseline or gazing and overall sexual satisfaction.

Clinical implications: Results provide initial evidence for the relevance of PS in sexual dyanmics.

Strengths & limitations: The current analysis used a dyadic psychophysiological approach to extend the growing body of literature on PS into the theoretically linked field of sexuality. Because of the small sample size and nondirectional nature of the study design, future research is needed to replicate and extend findings.

Conclusion: The ability of couples to co-regulate while attempting actively to synchronize (as in the mirroring task) may be connected to how they perceive and experience their sexual relationship. Conversely, more sexually satisfied couples may be more likely to synchronize physiologically. Taken together, these findings reflect the first evidence that PS and sexual satisfaction may be associated at the couple-level. Freihart BK, Meston CM. Preliminary Evidence for a Relationship Between Physiological Synchrony and Sexual Satisfaction in Opposite-Sex Couples. J Sex Med 2019;16:2000-2010.

Keywords: Dyadic Analysis; Physiological Coregulation; Physiological Linkage; Physiological Synchrony; Sexual Satisfaction.