Sexual satisfaction in a heterosexual and homosexual Spanish sample: the role of socio-demographic characteristics, health indicators, and relational factors

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between (1) sexual satisfaction and (2) socio-demographic variables, health status, and relational factors in Spanish men and women. Using a quota sampling method, we assessed 2024 subjects aged between 18 and 80years old with a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, the Global Measure of Relationship Satisfaction, the Short Form-36 Health Survey, and the Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire. Regarding the results, no significant differences in sexual satisfaction were found according to gender or sexual orientation. At the bivariate level, sexual satisfaction was negatively correlated with age, low education level, psychopathological symptoms, and length of relationship, and positively correlated with better physical health and relationship satisfaction. In heterosexual individuals, 55% of the variance in sexual satisfaction was predicted by vitality, depression, relationship satisfaction, length of relationship, and type of relationship. In homosexual individuals, bodily pain and relationship satisfaction predicted 44% of the variance in sexual satisfaction. Finally, the impact of health and relational variables on the sexual well-being of adults in the context of sex therapy is discussed.