Influences on satisfaction with sexuality and partnership in women

Based on data from a sample survey of 1649 women aged between 18 and 92 years we analysed the soziodemographic and psychosocial factors influencing the satisfaction with sexuality and partnership. The following self-evaluation instruments (questionnaires) were employed: FLZ-Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, GT-Giessen-Test, GBB-Giessen Subjective Complaints List, IIP-D-Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, FEE-Questionnaire of Recalled Parental Rearing Behaviour. Additionally,we asked about sexual activity and the subjective health status. In conclusion, younger women described themselves as more content considering sexuality and partnership than older women. To estimate the individual contribution of the variables predicting satisfaction with sexuality and partnership, multiple regression analysis were computed. The described criterion variance was clearly higher considering satisfaction with sexuality than marital satisfaction. The most important determinants for both were found to be sexual activity, the satisfaction with ones own health and the personality characteristic "openness" (GT). Subjective body complaints are less relevant in this context. For satisfaction with sexuality, self-reflected interpersonal problems (IIP-D), age and living in partnership are important. For satisfaction with partnership recalled parental rearing behaviour (FEE), urbanity (town/country) and religion play an important role.