We’re Open to Talk about Sex: Conversation Orientation and the Impact on Disclosure and Satisfaction in Sexual Relationships

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation was to examine sexual self-disclosure in sexual relationships using Social Penetration Theory (SPT) and Family Communication Patterns Theory (FCPT). SPT suggested that after the costs (i.e., risks) and rewards (i.e., benefits) of disclosure were assessed, increased depth and breadth of SSD would lead to more intimacy and greater relationship and sexual satisfaction. Subsequently, the assumptions of FCPT implied that parent-child communication leads to the establishment of a shared reality impacting disclosure in the family. There was also evidence that FCP affected disclosure in future relationships as well. Therefore, it was hypothesized that perceptions of risks and benefits and disclosure would serially mediate the relationship between FCP and satisfaction. Data was collected from 330 participants in emerging adulthood who were currently or recently in a sexual relationship. Results indicated that depth and breadth mediated the relationship between CVO and satisfaction, however, there were no significant findings with CFO or risks and benefits. This indicated that a focus on open communication in families does influence disclosure, yet how risks and benefits to disclosure are perceived are not related to FCP. Women were found to slightly disclose with more depth and breadth and to perceive more benefits of disclosure than men, but there was no difference in satisfaction.