By Alice Bourne
This blog is a summary of our published article:
Fitzpatrick, E. T., Rosen, N. O., Kim, J. J., Kolbuszewska, M. T., Schwenck, G. C. g, & Dawson, S. J. (2024). Sexual satisfaction mediates daily associations between body satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in new parent couples. Body Image, 51, 1740-1445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101810
Sex & relationships in the postpartum period
Changes to sexual and romantic relationships are very common during the postpartum period [1]. Studies show that in a third of new parent couples, one or both parents feel relationally or sexually dissatisfied [2]. Sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction influence each other; a shift in sexual satisfaction can influence how connected an individual feels to their romantic partner [3, 4, 5].
Another common postpartum concern is body image. Body image is the evaluation, perception, and feelings about one’s body. Body satisfaction is the evaluation of one’s own appearance. Body issues may come from comparisons to a perceived or enforced ideal [6].
What did we want to know?
We explored whether sexual satisfaction acted as a mediator in the relationship between daily satisfaction with one’s own and partner’s body and relationship satisfaction. We examined this association amonf first-time parent couples who were three months postpartum. 78% to 90% of couples resume sexual activity at three months postpartum. Thus, this is a time where couples may be experiencing sexual and relationship challenges [7].
Photo by Dennis Acevedo on Unsplash
What did we do?
We recruited 267 first time expectant couples between 12-20 weeks’ pregnant, and 74 couples who were three months postpartum.
Couples were recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study. If couples met eligibility requirements, they were emailed an anonymous link to a daily diary each evening for 21 days. They were instructed to complete the daily diary right before they went to bed, to account for any sexual activity. The daily diary included questions about daily satisfaction about their own, as well as their partner’s body, daily relationship satisfaction, and daily sexual satisfaction.
What did we find?
Satisfaction with one’s own body:
- On days when birthing parents reported higher satisfaction with their own body (compared to their average across all 21 days), they reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction on that day.
- On days when non-birthing parents reported higher satisfaction with their own body, they reported higher sexual satisfaction, and both partners reported higher relationship satisfaction on that day.
Satisfaction with a partner’s body:
- On days when birthing parents reported greater satisfaction with their partner’s body, they reported higher sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction on that day.
What does this mean?
Higher levels of an individual’s body satisfaction may contribute to a greater likelihood of taking emotional risks within relationships (such as initiating sexual activity), contributing to higher levels of sexual satisfaction, and stronger feelings of closeness and connection with a partner. Sexual and romantic relationships are incredibly reliant on interpersonal connections. Couples navigate the struggles of parenthood together, and having a strong relationship is key to approaching these new challenges collectively. An important component of a strong relationship is sexual satisfaction, which may arise from body satisfaction.
Feeling more satisfied with a partner’s body may serve as a sexual cue, triggering strong feelings of arousal and sexual desire on that day. This may lead parents to initiate sexual activity, be more responsive to their partner’s initiation of sex, or motivated to meet their partner’s sexual needs. Previous research has shown that when new parent couples are motivated to meet their partner’s sexual needs, they report greater sexual satisfaction, and in turn higher relationship satisfaction [8].
Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash
Why does this matter?
Our study highlights the important role of body satisfaction during the postpartum period and its influence on sexual and relationship satisfaction. If left unaddressed, sexual and relationship problems can negatively affect individuals’ physical and mental health [9].
Health care professionals should consider assessing how satisfied new parents feel with their sexual lives and relationships, and should examine potential risk factors, such as body satisfaction. It is also important to develop interventions to aid in body satisfaction, such as normalizing postpartum bodies in media [10], meditation which focuses on self-compassion [11], and mindfulness [12].
References
[1] Leonhardt, N. D., Rosen, N. O., Dawson, S. J., Kim, J. J., Johnson, M. D., & Impett, E. A. (2021). Relationship satisfaction and commitment in the transition to parenthood: A couple-centered approach. Journal of Marriage and Family, 84(1), 80–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12785
[2] Rosen, N. O., Dawson, S. J., Binik, Y. M., Pierce, M., Brooks, M., Pukall, C., … & George, R. (2022). Trajectories of dyspareunia from pregnancy to 24 months postpartum. Obstetrics Gynecology, 139(3), 391–399. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004662.
[3] Fallis, E. E., Rehman, U., Woody, E. Z., & Purdon, C. L. (2016). The longitudinal association of relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction in long-term relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 30, 822–831. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000205
[4] Park, H. G., Leonhardt, N. D., Johnson, M. D., Muise, A., Busby, D. M., Hanna-Walker, V. R., & Impett, E. A. (2023). Sexual satisfaction predicts future changes in relationship satisfaction and sexual frequency: New insights from within-person associations over time. Personality Science, 4, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.5964/ ps.11869
[5] Yeh, H.-C., Lorenz, F. O., Wickrama, K. A. S., Conger, R. D., & Elder, G. H. (2006). Relationships among sexual satisfaction, marital quality, and marital instability at midlife. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 339–343. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.2.339
[6] Grogan, S. (2021). Body image: Understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women and children (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003100041
[7] Jawed-Wessel, S., & Sevick, E. (2017). The impact of pregnancy and childbirth on sexual behaviors: A systematic review. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(4–5), 411–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1274715
[8] Muise, A., Kim, J. J., Impett, E. A., & Rosen, N. O. (2017). Understanding when a partner is not in the mood: Sexual communal strength in couples transitioning to parenthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46, 1993–2006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0920-2
[9] Diamond, L. M., & Huebner, D. M. (2012). Is good sex good for you? Rethinking sexuality and health. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(1), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00408.x
[10] Becker, E., Rodgers, R. F., & Zimmerman, E. (2022). #Body goals or #Bopo? Exposure to pregnancy and postpartum related social media images: Effects on the body image and mood of women in the peri-pregnancy period. Body Image, 42, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.04.010
[11] Papini, N. M., Mason, T. B., Herrmann, S. D., & Lopez, N. V. (2022). Self-compassion and body image in pregnancy and postpartum: A randomized pilot trial of a brief self-compassion meditation intervention. Body Image, 43, 264–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.09.010
[12] Tavares, I. M., Nobre, P. J., Heiman, J. R., & Rosen, N. O. (2023). Longitudinal associations between mindfulness and changes to body image in first-time parent couples. Body Image, 44, 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.01.002
