Intimidade e satisfação sexual: o papel mediador da autorrevelação sexual numa amostra heterossexual

Abstract

The present study has the main goal to test a mediation model of the effect of emotional intimacy indicators in sexual satisfaction, trying to understand if, from a set of indicators (feelings’ expression, closeness, and communication and conflict), there’s a better predictor for sexual satisfaction, as well as, if this is verified, sexual self-disclosure as a process, is a significant mediator variable of the found association. The sample is made of 526 cisgendered, heterosexual participants (men and women), who are in a dyadic and exclusive relationship of commitment. To compare groups according to gender in the interest variables, T-tests for independent samples and qui squared tests were applied, as well as a one-way MANOVA. To test the association between variables, Pearson’s bivariate correlation tests were used. Two models were also tested: a simple mediation one and a moderated mediation model, in which the main goal is to test the gender influence in the mediation model using Macro PROCESS. The indicators’ interinfluence was highlighted, as well as the association of all dimensions with sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction. Results showed that globally, men and women show close mean values in the variables of interest. Feelings’ expression was a significant predictor variable of sexual satisfaction and that sexual selfdisclosure is a partially mediator variable of the testes model. Gender did not moderate the presented relation. The present study shows that, in the present sample, emotional intimacy and sexual self-disclosure are important aspects of sexual satisfaction. This perspective is consistent with a systemic perspective of human sexuality, once people perceive relationship dimensions and processes for the purpose of understanding their own sexual results.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	Portuguese
Supervisor	Patrícia M. Pascoal (Supervisor)