Beaulieu Noémie, Brassard Audrey, Bergeron Sophie, Péloquin Katherine
Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
J Soc Pers Relat. 2022 Dec;39(12):3753-3774. doi: 10.1177/02654075221108759. Epub 2022 Jun 28.
Attachment theory postulates that three behavioral systems are central to optimal couple functioning: attachment, caregiving, and sex. However, few studies have examined the concurrent contribution of these systems to understand sexual well-being. This daily diary study examined the intermediary role of attachment- and caregiving-related sexual motives in the associations linking attachment insecurities and positive and negative emotions during sexual activity in 149 long-term mixed-gender/sex couples. Multilevel analyses revealed that individuals higher in attachment avoidance endorsed less caregiving sexual motives, which was associated with their own more negative emotional experience during sexual activity. Individuals higher in attachment anxiety endorsed more attachment sexual motives, which was associated with their own and their partner's more negative emotional experience during sex. However, individuals higher in attachment anxiety also concurrently endorsed more caregiving sexual motives, which predicted their own and their partner's more positive emotional experience during sex. Overall, the findings support the associations between the attachment, caregiving, and sexual behavioral systems and suggest that engaging in sex as a way to care for one's partner might foster sexual well-being in long-term couples.
依恋理论假定，三种行为系统对伴侣关系的最佳运作至关重要：依恋、关爱和性。然而，很少有研究考察这些系统对理解性幸福感的共同作用。这项日常日记研究考察了149对长期异性恋/同性伴侣在性活动中，与依恋和关爱相关的性动机在依恋不安全感与积极和消极情绪之间的关联中所起的中介作用。多层次分析显示，回避依恋程度较高的个体认可的关爱性动机较少，这与他们在性活动中自身更多的负面情绪体验有关。焦虑依恋程度较高的个体认可更多的依恋性动机，这与他们自己以及伴侣在性行为中更多的负面情绪体验有关。然而，焦虑依恋程度较高的个体同时也认可更多的关爱性动机，这预示着他们自己以及伴侣在性行为中会有更多的积极情绪体验。总体而言，研究结果支持了依恋、关爱和性行为系统之间的关联，并表明将性行为作为照顾伴侣的一种方式，可能会促进长期伴侣关系中的性幸福感。
