Sexual satisfaction research has primarily focused on committed romantic relationships (RRs), with casual sexual experiences (CSEs) receiving less attention. The current study examined sexual satisfaction across RRs and CSEs (i.e., one-night stand, booty call, fuck buddy, friends with benefits, casual dating) and explored several factors that might mediate between-group differences. Participants ( N = 554) completed an online survey examining perceptions of their most recent sexual encounter. Measures included perceptions of partner, perceptions of relationship, body-image self-consciousness, sexual satisfaction, and details about their most recent sexual experience (e.g., type of sexual relationship). Individuals in RRs reported greater sexual satisfaction, more positive perceptions of both partner and relationship, and less body-image self-consciousness than those in CSEs. Across CSE categories, there were differences both in sexual satisfaction and perceptions of relationship. A mediational path analysis showing that higher sexual satisfaction was associated with RRs versus CSEs could be explained at least in part through the association of relationship type with perceptions of partner, perceptions of relationship, and body-image self-consciousness, with perceptions of relationship seeming particularly important. The results suggest the importance of including, and delineating, CSEs in research on sexual well-being. Furthermore, the results suggest that changes to any of these perceptions could improve sexual well-being, including within casual encounters.
Weaver et al. (Wed,) studied this question.