The Roles of Social Anxiety and Sexual Communication in Marriage Relationships

Abstract

Past research shows strong connections between sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. However, social anxiety tends to inhibit communication and self-disclosure about sensitive topics, including sex. In this research, I aimed to determine the role social anxiety plays in sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfaction in married couples. I hypothesized that social anxiety would not have strong impacts on sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfaction

in married couples because of the familiarity that comes along with marriage. 16 heterosexual couples, or 32 individuals, completed a five-section survey to measure each individual’s sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, sexual communication satisfaction, fear of intimacy, and social anxiety. Results showed significant moderate correlations between social anxiety and every other variable: sexual satisfaction, r(30) = -.44, p= .01; relationship satisfaction, r(30) = -.43, p= .01; sexual communication, r(30) = -.47, p< .01; and fear of intimacy, r(30) = .55, p< .01. Socially anxious individuals also reported significantly decreased sexual satisfaction compared to non-anxious individuals. Implications for future research are discussed.

Keywords:social anxiety, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, sexual communication, fear of intimacy, marriage