Relationships, sexuality, and health: A multimethod assessment of individual- and dyad-based sexual and relationship processes

Being in a long-term relationship (e.g., marriage, cohabitation) is associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates. However, a growing research literature shows that not being in a relationship per se, but the quality of that relationship is most relevant to predicting health effects. Although sexuality is part of most long-term relationships, surprisingly little is known about its effects on relationship quality and health. The proposed research will use a longitudinal design and include sexual psychophysiological and brain imaging (fMRI) methods to examine the impact of individual- (e.g., attachment styles, sexual responsivity) and dyad-based (e.g., sexual similarity) variables on the behavioral and affective characteristics of sexual relationships, relationship quality, a nd health.

Keywords:relationship

Disciplines:Endocrinology and metabolic diseases, Gynaecology and obstetrics, Nursing