Sexual Communication and Satisfaction in Queer Relationships: A Dyadic Approach

Sexual communication has consistently been linked to sexual and relationship satisfaction, yet its role in queer couples who navigate unique relational norms and challenges remains understudied. The current dyadic study investigated how three dimensions of sexual communication - sexual self-disclosure, quality, and frequency - related to sexual and relationship satisfaction among 112 queer couples. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) analyses showed that both the quality of sexual communication and sexual self-disclosure predicted actors' and partners' sexual satisfaction, but only actors' relationship satisfaction. The frequency of sexual communication was associated with both partners' sexual satisfaction, but not with relationship satisfaction. When all three dimensions were modeled simultaneously, only the quality of sexual communication remained a significant predictor of actors' sexual and relationship satisfaction, with no partner effects. Exploratory mediation analyses provided actor-level evidence consistent with both instrumental and expressive pathways, showing that sexual satisfaction mediated the link between communication and relationship satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction mediated the relationship between communication and sexual satisfaction, while cross-partner indirect effects were minimal. These findings broaden existing models of sexual communication by centering queer relationships and highlighting the importance of high-quality communication for sexual and relational well-being in diverse partnerships.