Temperament and early maladaptive schemas as correlates of sexual satisfaction

Introduction: This paper presents the correlates of sexual satisfaction, i.e. early maladaptive schemas and personality factors. Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify which early maladaptive schemas are associated with sexual satisfaction, and to clarify the role of temperamental dimensions in determining its level. In other words, the study analyses the significance of early human experience and personality determinants for the level of sexual satisfaction. Methods: The study group consisted of 104 people aged 18 to 40 years who were recruited from the general non-clinical population. Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Satysfakcji Seksualnej, KSS), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) Young’s Schema Questionnaire 3, Short Form (YSQ-S3-PL), were used in the analysis. Results: Of all the personality variables, only Harm Avoidance was found to have a predictive value (β = −0.246; p = 0.036): all temperamental and characterological variables that entered the regression model were found to account for only about 12% of the variability. Among the maladaptive schema domains analysed, Over-vigilance and Inhibition and Other Directedness have predictive values, together explaining about 26% of the variability of the results (β = −0.311, p = 0.006; β = −0.247, p = 0.029). Conclusion: The most significant determinants of sexual satisfaction are cognitive schemas, i.e. early childhood experiences based on the long-term satisfaction of one or several core needs, or failure to do so. In contrast, personality factors, including temperamental and character factors, play a slightly lesser role.