When Power Becomes a Turn-Off: Interactions Between Relational Power and Ineffective Arguing on Sexual Satisfaction in Heterosexual Couples Seeking Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore associations between low relational power, ineffective arguing, and sexual satisfaction among heterosexual couples seeking couples’ therapy (N = 175). Analyses utilized the Actor-Partner Independence Model to explore three research questions: (1) Is one’s own relationship between low relational power and sexual satisfaction mediated by one’s own ineffective arguing perceptions (actor-actor-actor)? (2) Is one’s own relationship between low relational power and sexual satisfaction mediated by their partner’s ineffective arguing perceptions (actor-partner-actor)? (3) Is the relationship between one’s low relational power and their partner’s sexual satisfaction mediated by one’s own perceptions of ineffective arguing (actor-actor-partner)? Results comparing the fit of six alternative structural models indicated a significant indirect effect from male perceptions of low relational power to female sexual satisfaction through male perception of ineffective arguing. This paper concludes with a discussion of these results, along with implications for therapy and future research.