A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Sexual Compliance in Finnish Committed Relationships: Sexual Self-Control, Relationship Power, and Experienced Consequences
Authors: Himanen, Marianne; Gunst, Annika
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Sex Research
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH
Journal acronym: J SEX RES
Article number: 2246965
Volume: 61
Issue: 3
First page : 515
Last page: 527
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 0022-4499
eISSN: 1559-8519
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2246965
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2023.2246965
We studied sexual compliance (i.e., consensual engagement in partnered sexual activity despite lack of sexual desire) in committed relationships using a large Finnish sample. First, we tested if previous theories on sexual self-control and partner sexual relationship power could be extended to a Finnish setting. As little is known about the personal and relational consequences of compliance, we also explored the experienced consequences and their association with the aforementioned aspects. The convenience survey sample (n = 1,496) included individuals who were or had recently been in committed intimate relationships. As 93% of the participants were women, our analyses focused on these (64.3% heterosexual, 24.5% bisexual, 11.3% other). Sixty-five percent of women reported having complied at least once in their current or most recent relationship. Women with lower sexual self-control and higher partner sexual relationship power reported more compliance, corroborating previous research. Lower age was uniquely associated with more compliance, whereas the association between more compliance and lower education diminished when including sexual self-control and partner sexual relationship power in the regression model. Experienced consequences of compliance varied greatly among women. However, roughly two-fifths reported only negative consequences for their well-being and relationships. Fewer approach motives, more avoidance motives, lower sexual self-control, and higher partner relationship control were associated with experiencing fewer positive consequences. Our results corroborate previous studies conducted in North America, suggesting that sexual compliance is common among women in committed relationships. We suggest careful consideration in instances of compliance, considering possible negative consequences.
Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland [176335].