Higher emotional intelligence is associated with better sexual satisfaction, study finds

A study conducted in Italy found that individuals with higher levels of emotional intelligence tend to experience greater sexual satisfaction. The authors of the study hypothesized that emotional intelligence reduces attachment avoidance and increases comfort with interpersonal touch, which, in turn, leads to improved sexual satisfaction. The research was published in Personality and Individual Differences.

Emotional intelligence can be conceptualized either as an ability or as a psychological trait. Emotional intelligence as an ability refers to actual cognitive skills related to perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions, typically measured through performance-based tests. In contrast, emotional intelligence as a trait reflects self-perceived emotional competencies and behaviors, assessed through self-report questionnaires and considered part of one’s personality.

Trait emotional intelligence encompasses elements such as emotional self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills. It focuses on how individuals perceive and manage their emotional capacities. Higher levels of trait emotional intelligence have been associated with better psychological well-being, stronger interpersonal relationships, and more effective coping strategies. It is also linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Study author Federica Ambrosini and her colleagues sought to examine the relationships among trait emotional intelligence, emotional attachment characteristics, body appreciation, comfort with interpersonal touch, sexual satisfaction, and problematic sexual behavior.

The researchers hypothesized that higher emotional intelligence would reduce attachment avoidance (the tendency to maintain emotional distance in close relationships) and attachment anxiety (an intense fear of abandonment and an excessive need for closeness). In turn, lower levels of attachment avoidance and anxiety were expected to increase individuals’ comfort with interpersonal touch and appreciation of their own bodies. These factors were then expected to predict higher sexual satisfaction and fewer problematic sexual behaviors.

The study involved an online survey completed by 864 adult residents of Italy. Individuals who were not currently in a romantic or dating relationship, as well as those who had never had sexual intercourse, were excluded from the sample. The average age of participants was 35 years, and 71% were women. Nearly half (49%) reported living with their romantic partner.

Participants provided sociodemographic information and completed a series of psychological assessments. These included the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form to measure emotional intelligence, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale 12 to assess attachment anxiety and avoidance, a subscale of the Tactile Biography to measure comfort with interpersonal touch, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale – Short Form, and the Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale to evaluate problematic sexual behavior.

The results showed that higher levels of trait emotional intelligence were associated with lower attachment avoidance and anxiety, greater comfort with interpersonal touch, higher body appreciation, better sexual satisfaction, and fewer problematic sexual behaviors.

The authors also tested a statistical model to examine whether emotional intelligence indirectly predicted sexual satisfaction through its effects on attachment avoidance and comfort with touch. Similarly, they tested whether it indirectly predicted lower levels of problematic sexual behavior through attachment avoidance and anxiety. The results supported both of these pathways.

“The findings highlight the importance of trait EI [emotional intelligence] in mitigating negative emotions linked to insecure attachments, reducing the risk of PSB [problematic sexual behaviors], and improving overall sexual satisfaction,” the study authors concluded.

The study provides insight into how emotional intelligence may shape sexual behavior and satisfaction. However, it is important to note that the data were based entirely on self-report measures, which raises the possibility that reporting bias may have influenced the findings.

The paper, “Emotional and physical pathways to sexual satisfaction and problematic sexual behaviour in dating, monogamous and non-monogamous relationships,” was authored by Federica Ambrosini and Roberta Biolcati.