Sexual well-being is known to enhance both physical and mental health, as well as overall relationship quality. However, over half of the population reports dissatisfaction with the sexual aspects of their relationships, which often declines over time.
A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has found that daily experiences of intimacy are closely linked to positive sexual outcomes, including increased sexual desire, satisfaction, and reduced sexual distress. These benefits are observed both in the short term and up to 12 months later, suggesting a lasting impact of intimacy on sexual well-being.
“I’m interested in factors that can hinder or promote sexual wellbeing for individuals and couples,” said study author Sophie Bergeron, a professor, at the University of Montreal, director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, and Tier I Canada Research Chair in Intimate Relationships and Sexual Wellbeing.
“In prior research, we had found that intimacy acted as a protective factor in couples coping with sexual dysfunction. However, in that work we had not looked at sexual desire nor at whether the gains associated with intimacy were maintained over time. Lastly, we wanted to see whether intimacy was also beneficial for couples not currently experiencing any sexual difficulties, among a diverse sample, where a third identified as a sexual and/or gender minority.”
The researchers recruited 211 couples from two large metropolitan areas in Canada. The sample included a diverse range of sexual and gender identities, encompassing both heterosexual and same-sex/gender couples. Participants were required to have been cohabiting for at least a year and sexually active at least once a month.
Initially, couples completed an extensive baseline survey that gathered demographic information and assessed various aspects of their relationship and sexual well-being. Following this, participants were asked to fill out daily diaries for 35 consecutive days.
Each evening, both partners independently reported their experiences of intimacy, which was measured using items that assessed perceived empathic responses, partner disclosure, and self-disclosure between partners. They also reported positive feelings and thoughts during sex (positive sexual cues) and sexual well-being measures (including sexual desire, satisfaction, and distress).
After 12 months, participants completed a follow-up survey to measure the long-term effects of daily intimacy on sexual well-being. The longitudinal design allowed the researchers to investigate both immediate (daily) and delayed (12-month) impacts of intimacy on sexual outcomes.
On days when participants reported higher levels of intimacy, they also noted greater attention to positive sexual cues. This increased focus on positive aspects of sexual activity was linked to higher sexual desire and satisfaction and lower sexual distress for both partners. In other words, feeling closer and more connected to one’s partner led individuals to experience more positive thoughts and feelings during sex, which enhanced their overall sexual well-being.
The researchers also found that the benefits of intimacy were not confined to the individual alone. A person’s higher intimacy also positively influenced their partner’s sexual well-being. When one partner felt more intimate, it boosted the partner’s attention to positive sexual cues, which in turn improved the partner’s sexual satisfaction and reduced their sexual distress. These cross-partner effects highlight the reciprocal nature of intimacy and its role in enhancing sexual well-being within relationships.
“Intimacy, i.e., being understanding, caring, and validating toward your partner and self-disclosing personal thoughts and feelings to them – fosters greater sexual desire and sexual satisfaction and lower sexual distress on a day-to-day basis for you and your partner,” Bergeron told PsyPost. “It does this in part by facilitating greater attention to the positive aspects of sexual activity for both of you.”
The longitudinal results offered further insights. Individuals who reported higher levels of daily intimacy during the study period showed increased sexual desire and satisfaction 12 months later. This long-term benefit was mediated by their own attention to positive sexual cues during daily sexual activities.
“We were happily surprised to see that daily intimacy was linked to greater sexual desire and sexual satisfaction one year later,” Bergeron said. “In sum, cultivating intimacy in your daily life with your partner is beneficial for your sexual wellbeing and theirs too!
However, the study also had limitations. The requirement for regular sexual activity may have excluded couples experiencing significant sexual or relationship difficulties, limiting the generalizability of the results. Additionally, the sample lacked cultural and ethnic diversity, which could affect the applicability of the findings to non-Western populations.
“Ideally we would need to replicate these findings with people from non-WEIRD countries,” Bergeron noted. “Does intimacy work the same way in different cultures? We do not know this yet. We are examining similar questions among adolescents transitioning to adulthood as well as couples coping with low sexual desire. We are also looking at how couples interact in the laboratory to examine not just their self-reports of intimacy but also their behaviors.”
The study, “Intimacy Promotes Couples’ Sexual Well‑Being on a Daily Basis and Over One Year: The Role of Positive Sexual Cues,” was authored by Sophie Bergeron, Marie‑Pier Vaillancourt‑Morel, Katherine Péloquin, and Natalie O. Rosen.