CORRELATES OF INCREASED SEXUAL SATISFACTION

Comparisons of nationally representative survey data of the population ages 18-54 years in 1971 (N = 2252) and 1992 (N = 1718) from Finland show that sexual satisfaction has greatly increased particularly among women. Some predictors of sexual satisfaction of men and women are ex amined on the basis of the 1992 survey data on people ages 18-74 years (N = 2250). Correlations between social background factors, sexual id eas and assertiveness, optional relationships, sexual practices, orgas m, and satisfaction with sexual intercourse were calculated. To cona-o l the simultaneous effect of the variables explaining satisfaction, pa th analyses were conducted. Results show that young age, a sexually un reserved and a nonreligious childhood home, early start of sexual life , high education, sexual assertiveness, considering sexuality importan t in life, reciprocal feeling of love, use of sex materials, frequent intercourse, many-sided (versatile) sexual techniques, and frequent or gasm correlate with finding sexual intercourse pleasurable. There were some gender differences in the connections between the independent fa ctors and satisfaction with coitus. The importance of sexuality in lif e, love, and the use of sexual materials were connected directly to ph ysical sexual satisfaction among men bur only indirectly among women. For women, but not for men, young age and early start of sexual life c orrelated with enjoyment of intercourse. The greater sexual dissatisfa ction of women compared to men, which still prevails, may be due to th eir late start of sexual life, conservative sexual attitudes, unimport ance of sexuality in life, lack of sexual assertiveness, and use of re stricted sexual techniques. The emancipation of women may change these ideas and practices of women. This might lessen the gender gap in phy sical sexual satisfaction.