WOMEN's SEXUAL SATISFACTION, RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT, A Case Study

Previous research examining overall relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, and

sexual satisfaction among heterosexual women is well-documented. The theoretical foundation

of attachment has also been well-established within relationship research among heterosexual

women. However, little to no published reports examine such variables among women currently

in same-sex relationships. Furthermore, virtually no reports assess for any differences in

attachment identity based on the gender of women's romantic partners. This study therefore

sought to identify any interrelationships between relationship satisfaction, relationship

commitment, sexual satisfaction, and attachment identity (measured using the dimensions of

avoidance and anxiety) among two groups of women based on their partner's gender: (1) women

partnered with women and (2) women partnered with men. This study also examined partner

gender as a predictor of the aforementioned variables. One-hundred-sixty-six women currently in

romantic partnerships completed an online survey. Partner gender was found to be independent

of attachment dimensions. Significant, positive correlations emerged between relationship

satisfaction, relationship commitment, and sexual satisfaction between both groups of women.

Attachment-related anxiety was found to be a successful predictor of overall lower levels of

relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, and sexual satisfaction between both groups

of women, whereas attachment-related avoidance was found to successfully predict lower levels

of sexual satisfaction between both groups. These findings are further discussed in the context of

previous research, limitations, and clinical implications for direct practice.