What Is the Relationship Between Sexual Experience and Marital Happiness?
Study finds correlation between relationship satisfaction and body count
Whether we’re having one-night stands or making long-term connections, sex is obviously part of how we relate to each other in relationships — even the brief ones. However, if people aspire to get married, can their sexual activities today impact the happiness they experience in their union tomorrow?
A report by Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute suggests that they can.
“It appears that sexual exclusivity between spouses provides an underappreciated foundation for the intimacies of marriage….” — Brian J. Willoughby, Ph.D.
Researchers looked at data from multiple studies, and also conducted their own survey, to determine the relationship satisfaction of 3,750 people who reported being committed to their current partner. They found that, although conventional dating wisdom tells us it’s good to explore our sexuality as much as possible before settling down — and to especially test the chemistry with a partner before committing to them — this behavior doesn’t necessarily bode well for people’s current relationship.
