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When Power Becomes a Turn-Off: Interactions Between Relational Power and Ineffective Arguing on Sexual Satisfaction in Heterosexual Couples Seeking Therapy

Date

2022-07-25

Author

Ellis, Faith

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore associations between low relational power, ineffective arguing, and sexual satisfaction among heterosexual couples seeking couples’ therapy (N = 175). Analyses utilized the Actor-Partner Independence Model to explore three research questions: (1) Is one’s own relationship between low relational power and sexual satisfaction mediated by one’s own ineffective arguing perceptions (actor-actor-actor)? (2) Is one’s own relationship between low relational power and sexual satisfaction mediated by their partner’s ineffective arguing perceptions (actor-partner-actor)? (3) Is the relationship between one’s low relational power and their partner’s sexual satisfaction mediated by one’s own perceptions of ineffective arguing (actor-actor-partner)? Results comparing the fit of six alternative structural models indicated a significant indirect effect from male perceptions of low relational power to female sexual satisfaction through male perception of ineffective arguing. This paper concludes with a discussion of these results, along with implications for therapy and future research.