Sociodemographic Predictors of Sexual Communication and Sexual Communication as a Predictor of Sexual, Relationship, and Life Satisfaction in Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and the UK

Abstract

Sexual communication is associated with higher levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, research suggests that many struggle with sexual communication. Using a cross-country convenience sample of 7,139 respondents from six European countries (Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and the UK), we investigated sociodemographic predictors of different facets of sexual communication and their associations with sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. Data was collected in May and June 2022 through respondent panels, by Cint, a market research software platform. Participants received an email invitation to the study and completed an online self-report survey. We found that a large proportion did report difficulties with sexual communication or a wish to improve such communication. We also found that sociodemographic factors predicted each facet (self-disclosure, frequency of communication, and quality of communication) of sexual communication as a set, but that the strongest predictors were sexual frequency and dissatisfaction with the low frequency of sex. Lastly, each facet of sexual communication was associated with higher levels of sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. Across results, we generally found little cross-country variation.