Sense of coherence as moderator of the predictive power of personality variables on sexual satisfaction-a structural...

The prediction of general health outcomes, such as life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing, by the Big Five personality traits is improved by additionally considering Sense of coherence (SOC). This study aims to examine whether SOC mediates the association of Big Five personality traits and Sexual satisfaction as psychological facet of sexual health.

N = 206 German adults (aged 18-60) answered items on socio-demography and sexual orientation/behavior, the short Big Five Inventory (BFI-K), the SOC-L9 and the self-centered subscale of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS-E) in an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling were used (maximum likelihood estimation).

Model modifications ensured satisfactory to good CFA model fits for the BFI-K, SOC-L9 and NSSS-E (CFI = 0.972-0.992; RMSEA = 0.024-0.072). In particular, the SOC-L9 items had to be assigned to the two newly defined sub-factors Sense of meaningfulness and manageability (SOC-MM) and Sense of comprehensibility (SOC-CP). Sexual satisfaction proved to be a second-order factor underlying the first-order components Intensity, Emotionality and Orgasm. 20% of the variance in Sexual satisfaction can be predicted by SOC-MM (β = 0.57, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.940; RMSEA = 0.051), in particular. The predictive power of the Big Five-facets Neuroticism and Openness is fully mediated by SOC-MM (Δχ² _{df = 5} = 9.035, p = 0.108). Living in a partnership corresponds to higher SOC-MM and Sexual satisfaction. Being heterosexual also corresponds to enhanced SOC.

The association of the Big Five personality traits and Sexual satisfaction can be considered as fully mediated by SOC-MM. The link between SOC-MM for satisfaction with sexual experience and behavior thus appears to be essential in order to improve the understanding and promotion of Sexual satisfaction and health.