How Empathy Moderates Associations Between Sexual and Relational Satisfaction

Those with low sexual satisfaction tend to have low relational satisfaction. However, literature provides examples of those who maintain satisfying relationships despite low sexual satisfaction yet provides few clues as to what factors protect these individuals. Using U.S. nationally representative data from 1569 newlywed couples, we investigated if empathy for one's partner buffers individuals and couples from low relational satisfaction due to low sexual satisfaction. The positive connection between sexual satisfaction and relational satisfaction was weak for those reporting high empathy but was strong for those reporting low empathy. Empathy may protect against poor relational satisfaction when sexual satisfaction is low.