WOMEN's SEXUAL SATISFACTION RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT A Case Study

Previous research examining overall relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, andsexual satisfaction among heterosexual women is well-documented. The theoretical foundationof attachment has also been well-established within relationship research among heterosexualwomen. However, little to no published reports examine such variables among women currentlyin same-sex relationships. Furthermore, virtually no reports assess for any differences inattachment identity based on the gender of women's romantic partners. This study thereforesought to identify any interrelationships between relationship satisfaction, relationshipcommitment, sexual satisfaction, and attachment identity (measured using the dimensions ofavoidance and anxiety) among two groups of women based on their partner's gender: (1) womenpartnered with women and (2) women partnered with men. This study also examined partnergender as a predictor of the aforementioned variables. One-hundred-sixty-six women currently inromantic partnerships completed an online survey. Partner gender was found to be independentof attachment dimensions. Significant, positive correlations emerged between relationshipsatisfaction, relationship commitment, and sexual satisfaction between both groups of women.Attachment-related anxiety was found to be a successful predictor of overall lower levels ofrelationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, and sexual satisfaction between both groupsof women, whereas attachment-related avoidance was found to successfully predict lower levelsof sexual satisfaction between both groups. These findings are further discussed in the context ofprevious research, limitations, and clinical implications for direct practice.