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Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

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Published on: March 5, 2020

Sexual Communication Links Insecure Adult Attachment With Sexual Satisfaction Among U.S. College Students.

Maya E Barrett¹, Evan J Basting¹, Patricia N E Roberson²

¹Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States of America.

Couple & Family Psychology

|December 8, 2025

Summary

Insecure attachment styles (anxious and avoidant) are linked to lower sexual satisfaction in college students. Poor sexual communication acts as a key mediator, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Keywords:

anxious attachment avoidant attachment sexual communication sexual satisfaction

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Relationship Science
Sexual Health

Background:

Attachment theory posits that early relationship experiences shape adult attachment styles, influencing interpersonal functioning.
Insecure attachment, characterized by anxious or avoidant tendencies, is associated with various relationship difficulties.
Sexual satisfaction is a crucial component of overall relationship quality and individual well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the indirect relationship between insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant) and sexual satisfaction in college students.
To examine the mediating role of perceived sexual communication quality in this relationship.
To assess both self-perceived sexual satisfaction and partner-derived sexual satisfaction.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional survey data collected from 352 sexually active undergraduate students.
Participants completed measures assessing attachment styles, sexual communication quality, and sexual satisfaction (self and partner-derived).
Path analysis was used to test the hypothesized indirect effects.

Main Results:

Both anxious and avoidant attachment styles were indirectly associated with lower self-sexual satisfaction.
Insecure attachment was also indirectly linked to reduced partner-derived sexual satisfaction.
Perceived quality of sexual communication significantly mediated these indirect relationships.

Conclusions:

Poor sexual communication mediates the negative impact of insecure attachment on sexual satisfaction among college students.
Clinicians should consider addressing attachment-related issues and enhancing sexual communication skills in individuals and couples facing sexual dissatisfaction.
Future research should focus on developing therapeutic interventions to improve sexual communication, especially for those with high attachment insecurity.