The Benefits of Sex: Momentary Individual and Relational Pathways to Wellbeing

Sexual health and sexual activity are consistently associated with individual wellbeing, including mental, emotional, and physical health (Anderson et al., 2013; Gianotten et al., 2021; Lindau & Gavrilova, 2010; Vasconcelos et al., 2024). In particular, sexual satisfaction consistently predicts both life satisfaction and subjective wellbeing (Buczak-Stec et al., 2019; Schmiedeberg et al., 2017). Moreover, couples’ sexual activity is positively related to relationship quality (Fallis et al., 2016; Hicks et al., 2016; McNulty et al., 2016; Quinn-Nilas, 2020; Sprecher, 2002; Yeh et al., 2006; Zhao et al., 2022). While some studies report bidirectional effects, a recent within-person analysis of 2,401 couples suggested that greater sexual satisfaction precedes increased relationship satisfaction (Park et al., 2023). Individual life satisfaction and relationship satisfaction are also bidirectionally associated over time, such that one’s life and relationship satisfaction predict both their own life and sexual satisfaction, and one’s life satisfaction predicts the life satisfaction of their partner (Gustavson et al., 2016). Two compelling mechanisms that may explain these associations are (1) the influence of sexual activity on individual affect and (2) the effects of sexual activity on positive interpersonal dynamics. Daily diary studies show that couples’ sexual experiences are related to greater positive affect and lower negative affect, benefits which appear to depend more on sexual satisfaction and pleasure than on frequency alone (Burleson et al., 2007; Fortenberry et al., 2005; Kashdan et al., 2018; Stephenson & Meston, 2015; Vasilenko & Lefkowitz, 2018). Correspondingly, daily positive emotions cause an increase in wellbeing over time, and longitudinal research shows that increased positive affect precedes improved life satisfaction (Cohn et al., 2009; Joshanloo, 2025; Jovanović & Joshanloo, 2022). This evidence suggests that satisfying sexual experiences may produce short-term boosts in positive affect that accumulate into greater life satisfaction over time. A similar pathway may exist between affect and relationship satisfaction, such that satisfying sexual activities increase momentary positive affect, which supports relationship satisfaction in the long-term. Interactions with a romantic partner shape partners’ emotional experience, and intimate interactions are among the relational experiences most highly linked with positive affect (Khaneman et al., 2004; Schwarz et al., 2009). Providing support for this proposed pathway, Debrot et al. (2017) found that partners who show a stronger association between daily sexual activity and momentary positive affect report heightened relationship satisfaction six months later. Less is known regarding the temporal effects of sexual activity on positive relational states between partners. Sexual activity is often paired with subsequent affection, which leads to increased daily relationship satisfaction (Debrot et al., 2017; Muise et al., 2014). There is also evidence that perceived partner responsiveness partially mediates the link between daily sexual satisfaction and daily relationship satisfaction (Gadassi et al., 2016). Given that intimacy and perceived partner responsiveness are linked to relationship quality, promoting those positive interpersonal dynamics may be a significant supporting function of sexual activity on relationship satisfaction. Despite this evidence, it remains unclear how sexual experiences promote wellbeing. Our first objective is thus to investigate how partners’ sexual experiences are associated with fluctuations in momentary individual affective and relational states. Our second objective is to investigate the potentially unique and interacting roles of sexual activity frequency and sexual activity satisfaction on individual and partner wellbeing. Our third objective is to determine if the accumulation of those momentary changes in affect and positive relational states serve as a mechanism through which satisfying sexual activities result in global increases in individual and relationship wellbeing. Together, these lines of inquiry will provide insight into the processes by which couples’ sexual activity promotes wellbeing.