SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN MAINLAND CHINA

We investigated the sexual relationships of married Chinese men and wo men living in Beijing and Shanghai. Within the framework of the Interp ersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction (IEMSS), we also examine d factors related to sexual satisfaction. Completed questionnaires wer e returned by 193 men and 231 women. In general, respondents reported moderate level of sexual and relationship satisfaction. Overall, respo ndents were neither erotophobic nor erotophilic and reported a frequen cy of affectionate and sexual behavior between ''2 or 3 times a month' ' and ''once or twice a week'' and at least one sexual concern and/or problem. Contrary to predictions based on the cultural message that se xual pleasure is restricted to men, the women reported significantly g reater sexual satisfaction than did the men, and men and women did not differ in their reports of sexual rewards or relationship satisfactio n Further, men described their sexual relationship as more costly than did women. However, women reported more sexual concerns than did men and were also more erotophobic. Men reported more sexual concerns for their part ner than women did for their partner. Strong support was fo und for the IEMSS, such that the more that rewards exceeded costs, rel ative rewards exceeded relative costs, one's levels of rewards and cos ts were perceived to be equal to one's partner's, and the greater the relationship satisfaction, the greater the level of sexual satisfactio n. Greater sexual satisfaction was also associated with a greater freq uency of affectionate and sexual behavior, fewer sexual concerns and p roblems, and greater relationship satisfaction. These results are disc ussed in the context of the impact of official repression of many form s of sexual expression in China in the past and the need for enhanceme nt of the sexual I relationships of Chinese men and women.