Keeping the spark alive: The role of sexual communal motivation
In sum, being communal in the bedroom is beneficial for both partners in a relationship. People high in sexual communal strength maintain sexual desire over the course of time in long-term relationships, have more enjoyable sexual experiences and more satisfying relationships. However, it is important to strike the right balance being motivated to meet a partner’s sexual needs and asserting your own needs. Sexual communal motivation is linked to benefits for both partners in a relationship as long as there is mutual responsiveness and partners don’t lose sight of their own needs in the process.
References
Babin, E. (2012). An examination of predictors of nonverbal and verbal communication of pleasure during sex and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30, 270-292.
Baumeister, R. F., & Bratslavsky, E. (1999). Passion, intimacy, and time: Passionate love as a function of change in intimacy. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3, 49–67.
Burke . J., & Young, V. J. (2012). Sexual transformations and intimate behaviors in romantic relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 49, 454-463.
Byers, E. S. (2005). Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 42(2), 113-118. doi: 10.1080/00224490509552264
Byers, E. S., & Lewis, K. (1988). Dating couples' disagreements over the desired level of sexual intimacy. Journal of Sex Research, 24, 15-29.
Clark, M.S. & Mills, J. (1979). Interpersonal attraction in exchange and communal relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37, 12-24.
Clark, M. S., & Mills, J. (2012). Communal (and exchange) relationships. In P.A.M. Van Lange, A. W. Kruglanski, E.T. Higgins (Eds.) Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology (pp. 232-250). Thousand Oaks, Ca.; Sage Publications.
Fritz, H. L., & Helgeson, V. S. (1998). Distinctions of unmitigated communion from communion: Self-neglect and overinvolvement with others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 121-140.
Impett, E. A., & Peplau, L. A. (2003). Sexual compliance: Gender, motivational, and relationship perspectives. Journal of Sex Research, 40(1), 87-100. doi: 10.1080/00224490309552169
Kogan, A., Impett, E., Oveis, C. Hui, B., Gordon, A. Keltner, D. (2010). When giving feels good: The intrinsic benefits of sacrifice in romantic relationships for the communally motivated. Psychological Science, 21, 1918-1924.
Le, B. M., Impett, E. A., Kogan, A., Webster, G. D., & Cheng, C. (2013). The personal and interpersonal benefits of communal orientation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30, 694-710.
Metts, S., & Cupach, R. W. (1989). The role of communication in sexuality. In K. McKinney & S. Sprecher (Eds.), Human sexuality: The societal and interpersonal context (pp. 139-161). Norwald, NJ: Ablex.
Mills, J. & Clark, M.S. (1982). Exchange and communal relationships. In L. Wheeler (Ed.) Review of personality and social psychology (pp. 121-144). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Mills, J., Clark, M. S., Ford, T. E., & Johnson, M. (2004). Measurement of communal strength. Personal Relationships, 11(2), 213-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00079.x
