An examination of predictors of nonverbal and verbal communication of pleasure during sex and sexual satisfaction

Abstract

This study examined a model in which sexual communication apprehension and sexual self-esteem were expected to predict individuals’ verbal and nonverbal communication of pleasure during sex, which in turn were expected to predict participants’ sexual satisfaction. The data produced support for five of the six hypothesized relationships. Nonverbal communication during sex fully mediated the relationship between sexual self-esteem and sexual satisfaction, and partially mediated the relationship between sexual communication apprehension and sexual satisfaction. Verbal communication during sex did not predict sexual satisfaction. The findings draw attention to the need for scholars to examine both verbal and nonverbal forms of sexual communication, as well as factors that might influence the extent to which individuals’ communicate sexual pleasure during sexual encounters.