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The Association Between Relationship Orientation, Relationship Quality and Sexual Satisfaction
Philipp Yorck Herzberg1, Swetlana Wildfang2, Janine Quittschalle1
1Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany.
International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology
|September 15, 2022
Summary
Short-term relationship orientation is linked to lower relationship quality and more complaints, while long-term orientation fosters higher quality connections. Sexual satisfaction plays a mediating role in these associations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Modern dating often involves uncommitted relationships via online apps.
- Despite this, most individuals value long-term, trusting relationships.
- Mating strategies, particularly short-term ones, may impact relationship vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between short-term and long-term relationship orientations and relationship quality.
- To explore individual and couple effects using the actor-partner interdependence model.
- To investigate the mediating role of sexual satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 395 heterosexual couples.
- Application of the actor-partner interdependence model.
- Examination of short-term and long-term relationship orientations.
Main Results:
- Short-term orientation correlated with lower relationship quality and increased partner/relationship complaints.
- Long-term orientation was associated with higher relationship quality.
- Higher sexual satisfaction mediated the link between short-term orientation and relationship quality, with gender and couple effects observed.
Conclusions:
- Relationship orientation significantly impacts relationship quality.
- Short-term focus may undermine relationship satisfaction and stability.
- Long-term orientation appears crucial for fostering high-quality, satisfying relationships.
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