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How Integrating Social, Psychological, and Biological Factors into Relationships Influences Sexual Passion
By Isabella Scott, Ameera Asse, Celsey Selland, and David Allsop
This blog is a summary of our published article:
Busby, D. M., Leavitt, C. E., Yorgason, J. B., Richardson, S., & Allsop, D. B. (2021). Health, depression, and marital processes as they relate to sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion: a biopsychosocial model. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 39(3), 742–760. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.2019699
Photo by Kamil Macniak on Shutterstock
Harmonious sexual passion is when partners integrate their interests in sex with other aspects of who they are. It plays a key role in relationships and well-being [1].
Earlier research has found that sexual satisfaction strongly predicts relationship stability, happiness, and overall health [2]. However, most studies have looked at these factors separately, focusing only on psychological or biological influences. It would be more comprehensive to explore how these factors predict harmonious sexual passion at the same time, which could improve therapy for couples and support sexual relationships [3].
What did we want to know?
The researchers wanted to know how three different kinds of things predicted harmonious sexual passion:
Psychological: depression, attachment anxiety
Biological: physical health, sleep quality
Social: conflict resolution ability, communication quality, sexual satisfaction
These three kinds of things are part of a theory called the biopsychosocial model. The idea behind this theory is that we understand well-being the best when we focus on each of these three. The researchers hoped the model could explain what supports harmonious sexual passion [4].
What did we do?
Mixed and same-sex couples, in total 2,187 couples, participated in the study. Each couple did online surveys about their well-being and relationships. To test their hypotheses, the researchers used a statistical model that helps explain how things one couple member does are linked with things their partner does too.
What did we find?
Poor physical health and poor sleep quality were associated with higher depression and anxiety, which in turn predicted communication quality and conflict.
Better communication quality and conflict resolution ability predict higher sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion.
Couple member’s bio, psycho, and social variables were linked with their partner’s outcomes at varying levels.
For example, one partner's psychological variables predicted the other partners' sexual satisfaction.
What does this mean?
The study helps us see that sexual well-being is better understood when we look at the whole picture, including biological, psychological, and social factors [3,6]. By acknowledging that harmonious sexual passion connects to these areas, therapists can support couples by using a biopsychosocial framework to guide couples into a more fulfilling and connected sexual relationship.
People can approach sex through focusing on three aspects—mind, body, and connection—to promote sexual passion.
References
[1] Busby, D. M., Leavitt, C. E., Yorgason, J. B., Richardson, S., & Allsop, D. B. (2021). Health, depression, and marital processes as they relate to sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion: a biopsychosocial model. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 39(3), 742–760. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.2019699
[2] Byers, E. S. (2005). Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 42(2), 113–118. https://doi.https://doi.
[3] Rehman, U. S., Janssen, E., Newhouse, S., Heiman, J., Holtzworth-Munroe, A., Fallis, E., & Rafaeli, E. (2011). Marital satisfaction and communication behaviors during sexual and
nonsexual conflict discussions in newlywed couples: A pilot study. Journal of Sex & Marital
Therapy, 37(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2011.547352
[4] Scott, V. C., Sandberg, J. G., Harper, J. M., & Miller, R. B. (2012). The impact of depressive symptoms and health on sexual satisfaction for older couples: Implications for clinicians.
Contemporary Family Therapy, 34(3), 376–390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-012-9198-2
[5]Seehuus, M., & Pigeon, W. (2018). The sleep and sex survey: Relationships between sexual function and sleep. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 112, 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
[6] Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., & Valdez, C. (2020). Pursuit of harmony: Relational and individual predictors of sexual passion expression. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(8), 2935–2950. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01769-w
[7] Valdez, C., Leonhardt, N. D., & Busby, D. M. (2021). Sexual passion and attachment: Sexual passion style as a mediator between attachment insecurity and sexual satisfaction in committed relation-ships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(3), 614-628. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12452
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