The buffering effect of religious belief on the associations between perceived female sexual pain and partner sexual and relationship satisfaction

This study focused on the association between female sexual pain (FSP) and male partners' sexual and relationship satisfaction and the possible buffering effect of religiousness. A sample of 133 religious Jewish men assessed their partner's FSP as well as their own level of religious belief and sexual and relationship satisfaction. The female partners also assessed male sexual and relationship satisfaction. FSP was significantly associated with self-assessed and partner-assessed sexual satisfaction and with self-assessed relationship satisfaction. Religious belief demonstrated a significant buffering effect on the associations between FSP and partner assessments of sexual and relationship satisfaction. Sexual pain experienced by women is known to be associated not only with her sexual and relationship satisfaction but with her partner's as well. Religiousness has a well-documented buffering effect for various stressors in various life domains but has not yet been tested in sexual dysfunctions. This study focused on the possible buffering effect of religiousness on the sexual and relationship satisfaction of male partners of women experiencing such pain. The results indicated that religious belief does indeed help men cope with the sexual pain of their partners and lessen the detrimental effects on their sexual and relationship satisfaction.