SEXUAL SATISFACTION AND MARITAL WELL-BEING IN THE 1ST YEARS OF MARRIAGE

We consider the importance of sexual satisfaction in the first years o f marriage. First, we examine how husbands' and wives' feelings of aff irmation and tension in their marriage relate to levels of sexual sati sfaction. Further, we explore the relationship between sexual satisfac tion. Further, we explore the relationship between sexual satisfaction and four dimensions of marital well-being: competence, control, equit y and happiness. Data from a longitudinal study of black and white cou ples were analysed separately by race and gender. In both the first an d third years of marriage, feelings of affirmation and tension were as sociated with sexual satisfaction for all race and gender groups. Sexu al satisfaction was related to several dimensions of marital well-bein g, though not always in the expected direction, and the patterns diffe red across race and gender groups. Sexual satisfaction is at least as important to wives as to husbands, but it is important to conduct sepa rate analyses for race and gender groups.