Sexual satisfaction mediates daily associations between body satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in new parent couples

Abstract

One of the most common reported postpartum concerns, linked with relationship dissatisfaction, is how body image will affect sexuality. Outside of the postpartum period, feeling more satisfied with one’s body is linked with feeling more sexually and relationally satisfied, with some cross-sectional evidence that sexual satisfaction mediates these associations. This dyadic daily experience study examined how new parents’ daily satisfaction with their own and their partner’s bodies relates to their own sexual satisfaction, and in turn, their own and their partner’s relationship satisfaction during a vulnerable time in their sexual and romantic relationship—3- to 4-months postpartum. First-time parent couples (N = 240) completed 21 daily surveys. On days when birthing parents reported greater satisfaction than usual with their own or their partner’s body, they reported higher sexual satisfaction and in turn, higher relationship satisfaction. On days when non-birthing parents reported greater satisfaction with their own or their partner’s body, they reported higher sexual satisfaction and in turn, both parents reported higher relationship satisfaction. Evidence of bidirectionality was also observed such that relationship satisfaction mediated links between body satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. Findings support that daily body satisfaction is important for both sexual and relationship satisfaction among postpartum couples.