027 Preliminary Evidence for a Relationship between Physiological Synchrony and Sexual Satisfaction

Abstract

A growing body of literature has increased our understanding of physiological synchrony (PS), or reciprocal exchanges across biological systems which ultimately result in interpersonal autonomic covariation (for a review, see Palumbo, 2017). While previous research suggests that PS is more likely to occur in relationships characterized by emotional closeness and intimacy (e.g., Konvalinka et al., 2011) and that the magnitude of PS is moderated by relational outcomes such as a satisfaction and distress (e.g., Levensen & Gottman, 1983; Helm, Sbarra, Ferrer, 2014), no research to date has examined the potential connection between PS and sexuality-specific measures. The current study seeks to elucidate the relationship between PS and sexual satisfaction using study tasks that have been used in previous research to assess synchrony (Helm, Sbarra, Ferrer, 2012). Results may provide initial evidence for the relevance of PS in sexual dynamics. Couples (N=28) completed sexual and relational satisfaction measures and were subsequently connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) in a laboratory-based setting. Study tasks (5 min each) included a baseline task and several interpersonal tasks, such as a mirroring task wherein couples were asked to actively attempt to synchronize with one another. Subsequently, heart rate data for each dyad were analyzed for PS (as indexed by autonomic covariation) using a moderated multi-level modeling approach specified with a random intercept and cross-level interactions.