The effects of differentiation of self, adult attachment, and sexual communication on sexual and marital satisfaction: A path analysis
Abstract
A sample of 205 married individuals in rural Indiana completed a questionnaire assessing differentiation of self, adult attachment, sexual communication, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Models were fit using path analyses. Sexual communication was tested as a mediating variable between differentiation of self and adult attachment to sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction. Differentiation of self did not have direct effects on sexual satisfaction or marital satisfaction but it was significantly positively related to sexual communication. Adult attachment was also significantly positively related to sexual communication and had a direct effect on marital satisfaction. Therefore, sexual communication was only found to be a partial mediating variable in the model. Support was found for existing research that sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction had a significant positive relationship and sexual communication was positively related to both sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction. Differences in gender were assessed with multi-group analysis and revealed no gender differences in the model. The author discusses implications for research and practice.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Keiley, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology|Social psychology|Communication
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