From secrecy to openness: sexual satisfaction in couples from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Abstract

Research on sexual satisfaction does not always account for religious populations that may only engage in sexual experiences with one partner throughout the lifespan. Scales for assessing sexual satisfaction have been developed from generalized inclusion criteria that do not accurately represent highly religious communities, such as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Latter-Day Saints). Researchers conducted a phenomenological study exploring contributing factors to sexual satisfaction within the Latter-Day Saints community. Twelve heterosexual couples (n = 24) took part in semi-structured interviews centered on sexual satisfaction in their relationships. The results were categorized into 7 themes: individual well-being, consistency, satisfaction with context of the sexual experience, positive perception of partner’s experience, emotional connectedness, overall relationship satisfaction, and openness to sexuality. Special attention was given by participants to the role of openness in sexual satisfaction and the need to transform the cultural notion of secrecy around sexuality. The implications of this study should be considered by mental healthcare professionals working with individual or couple clients identifying as members of the church who report sexual difficulty.