Individuals whose partners support their sexual autonomy report greater sexual need fulfillment

A series of three studies found that perceiving sexual autonomy support from a partner was associated with greater sexual need satisfaction. It was also linked to higher sexual and relationship satisfaction for both partners. The research was published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Providing support to one’s romantic partner—being responsive to their needs—is one of the most important aspects of relationship functioning. This support also extends to sexual needs. A central element of sexual need fulfillment in a relationship is the ability to authentically express those needs, which is more likely to occur when a person perceives their partner as supportive of their sexual autonomy.

Although there has been limited research on sexual need fulfillment in relationships, existing studies suggest that perceived partner sexual responsiveness—feeling sexually understood, validated, and cared for—is associated with greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. It is possible that perceiving a partner as supportive of one’s sexual autonomy could further encourage the authentic expression of sexual preferences and interests, leading to even higher levels of need fulfillment.

Study author Ariel Shoikhedbrod and her colleagues sought to examine the role of perceived partner sexual autonomy support in romantic relationships. They conducted a series of four studies.

The first study tested a new questionnaire designed to assess perceived partner sexual autonomy support. Participants were 267 individuals recruited through Prolific. The questionnaire included statements probing how much participants felt their partners understood and supported their sexual needs (e.g., “My partner provides me choices and options sexually,” “I feel sexually understood by my partner,” “My partner conveys confidence in my sexual abilities”). Participants also completed measures of sexual need fulfillment (the Need Satisfaction–Relationship Domain Scale), relationship satisfaction (the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory), self-determined sexual motivation (the Sexual Motivation Scale), and general perceived autonomy support (the autonomy support subscale of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire).

The second study explored the sexual experiences of 142 couples by collecting daily reports of partner sexual autonomy support, sexual and relationship satisfaction, and other variables. The third study built on the previous ones by examining how perceived partner sexual autonomy support at the beginning of the study predicted sexual need fulfillment over a 21-day period, as well as relationship and sexual satisfaction three months later. It also assessed perceived partner sexual autonomy support on days when the couple did not engage in sexual activity.

Results from the first study showed that the new assessment tool produced valid results. Individuals who perceived greater sexual autonomy support from their partners reported greater relationship and sexual satisfaction, and also felt that their sexual needs were better fulfilled.

The second study replicated these findings. It also showed that individuals who perceived greater sexual autonomy support from their partners tended to provide more sexual autonomy support in return, according to their partners’ perceptions. In other words, sexual autonomy support appeared to be mutual between partners.

The third study tested a statistical model proposing that greater perceived partner sexual autonomy support enhances the fulfillment of sexual needs for both partners, leading to improved sexual and relationship satisfaction. The results supported this model, but also indicated that perceived partner sexual autonomy support directly influenced sexual and relationship satisfaction, independent of sexual need fulfillment.

“Sexual need fulfillment is a key avenue through which romantic relationships foster well-being. The current studies suggest that perceiving a romantic partner as autonomously supportive in the sexual domain is one way people can fulfill their sexual needs and have satisfying sex lives and relationships,” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the role sexual autonomy support has in romantic relationships. However, it should be noted that the study was carried out on volunteers who were mainly couples satisfied with their relationships. Results on couples who are less happy with their relationships might not yield identical results.

The paper, “When a Partner Supports Your Sexual Autonomy: Perceived Partner Sexual Autonomy Support, Need Fulfillment, and Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships,” was authored by Ariel Shoikhedbrod, Cheryl Harasymchuk, Emily A. Impett, and Amy Muise.