Sexual Satisfaction Among Married Women

American Journal of Health Studies, Spring, 2000 by Michael Young, George Denny, Tamera Young, Raffy Luquis

Usable questionnaires were returned by 641 women (a 25.5% return rate). The only identification of participants was the mailing label, which was placed on the envelope sent to them. Thus, it was not possible to do a second mailing to nonrespondents. A low return rate such as we obtained does not allow one to make a valid estimation of population parameters. Because, however, the focus of this study was the examination of the relationship between variables rather than the estimation of population parameters, the low return rate was not as problematic.

Measures

The testing instrument was a 70-item questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to elicit information concerning the subjects' sexual satisfaction, as well as information concerning a number of other variables we suspected were related to sexual satisfaction, such as overall satisfaction with the marriage, consistency of orgasm, frequency of sexual activity, enjoyment of non-coital sexual activities, and satisfaction with other aspects of the relationship, and religiosity. Specific: questionnaire items and response formats are as follows: The variable "overall satisfaction with the marriage" was measured by using a single four-point Likert-type item, worded "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your marriage?" The variable "consistency of self-spouse orgasm" was measured by summing the scores for two items: "How often does sexual activity with your spouse result in at least one orgasm for you?" and "How often does sexual activity with your spouse result in at least one orgasm for your spouse?" Each of these two items was scored on a five-point basis from "All of the time" to "Never." The variable "frequency of sexual activity" was measured by the single open-ended question "How often do you and your spouse engage in sexual activity?" Subjects were instructed to "Indicate the approximate number of occasions per month in which you and your spouse engage in sexual activity."

The variables "sexual satisfaction" (11 items), "satisfaction with non-sexual aspects of the relationship" (3 items), "participation and enjoyment of noncoital sexual activity" (7 items) and "one's perception of God's view of sex" (6 items) were measured using multi-item scales. Items that comprised these various scales (with Cronbach's alpha) are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Items Comprising Various Scales

Scale 1: Sexual Satisfaction                       Cronbach's alpha
                                                   .91
I am satisfied with my spouse as a sexual partner.
After sex I feel relaxed, fulfilled.
I have satisfying orgasms.
I feel that foreplay with my spouse is very arousing
I have good communication with my spouse about sex.
I am satisfied with the variety of sexual positions and activities
  in which my spouse and I participate.
I am pleased with the frequency with which my spouse and I engage
  in  sexual activity.
I am pleased with the intensity of sexual activity in which my
  spouse and I engage.
My spouse makes me feel sexually desirable.
I am sexually attracted to my spouse.
My spouse makes it clear that I provide him/her with a great deal
  of sexual pleasure.

Scale 2: Satisfaction With Non-Sexual Aspects      Cronbach's alpha
of the Relationship                                .86

My spouse and I share with each other our goals, dreams, plans,
  thoughts and feelings.
I have a great deal of respect for the person who is my spouse.
My spouse is a valued companion in recreational activities.

Scale 3: Participation and Enjoyment               Croubach's alpha
of Non-Coital Sexual Activity                      .78

I enjoy using my mouth and tongue to stimulate the genitals of my
  spouse.
I enjoy my spouse using his/her mouth and tongue to stimulate my
  genitals.
I enjoy participating in anal sex with my spouse.
I enjoy participating in masturbation.
When you and your spouse engage in sexual activity, how often does
  this activity involve your spouse performing oral sex on you?
When you and your spouse engage in sexual activity, how often does
  this activity involve you performing oral sex on your spouse?
When you and your spouse engage in sexual activity, how often does
  this activity involve anal sex?

Scale 4: Perception of God's View of Sex           Cronbach's alpha
(First three items were reversed scored.)          .63

God intended sex to be only for procreation.
Within marriage participation in sexual activities solely for
  pleasure is a sin.
Within marriage participation in sexual activities other than
  penile vaginal intercourse, such as oral sex, would not be
  approved of by God.
Within marriage, sexuality is a gift of God and as such should be
  enjoyed.
Within marriage, God regards reproduction as only one purpose of
  sexual activity, it is also for mutual enjoyment and pleasuring.
Within marriage, any sexual activity that is agreeable and
  pleasurable to both partners is approved of by God.