The role of self-image, relationship status and sexual knowledge in women’s experience of orgasm

Abstract

Sexual pleasure has several physical and psychological benefits. However, many women do not feel sexually satisfied after engaging in sexual activity. This study examined what factors have a role in women’s sexual satisfaction. Namely, it examined the role of sexual function, self-image, relationship status, age and women’s attitudes towards masturbation in sexual satisfaction. The sample was obtained through social network sites and the participants were required to answer an anonymous online survey. A total of 171 women who were mostly based in Malta were recruited. Over half of the participants were aged between 18 and 25 years (57.3%), almost 20% were aged between 26 and 35 years, almost 10% were aged between 36 and 45 years, and 12.9% were aged between 46 and 55 years. The data was analysed using IBM SPSS v.29. The results revealed that lubrication and relationship status predicted sexual satisfaction. Furthermore, the hypotheses that age and sexual satisfaction were inversely correlated and that women’s self-image predicted sexual satisfaction were rejected. In addition, a positive correlation between women’s perceptions of entitlement to pleasure and sexual satisfaction was established. Lastly, arousal seemed to predict sexual satisfaction, whilst the hypothesis that orgasm frequency predicted sexual satisfaction was rejected. It is important that studies such as this one are carried out regularly in order to infer what knowledge people have about sexual pleasure and sex in general, as well as what problems individuals may come across so that better education and help can be given.