Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions

There is limited understanding of how the aspects of sex and relationship quality are related to decisions on whether to move in together, separate or continue dating among living-apart together (LAT) couples. This paper focuses on sexual and relationship satisfaction in understanding LAT relationsh...

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Main Author: Alexandra-Andreea Ciritel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Federal Institute for Population Research 2022-12-01
Series:Comparative Population Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.comparativepopulationstudies.de/index.php/CPoS/article/view/538
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author Alexandra-Andreea Ciritel
author_facet Alexandra-Andreea Ciritel
author_sort Alexandra-Andreea Ciritel
collection DOAJ
description There is limited understanding of how the aspects of sex and relationship quality are related to decisions on whether to move in together, separate or continue dating among living-apart together (LAT) couples. This paper focuses on sexual and relationship satisfaction in understanding LAT relationship transitions into coresidence or separation in Germany. The longitudinal prospective design of the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics data (pairfam, waves 1-9) is used. Discrete-time competing risk hazard models on LAT relationship outcomes to coresidence or separation are estimated. The results underline the fact that sexual satisfaction is not related to LAT partners’ decision to move in together; however, higher levels of relationship satisfaction are positively related to the decision of moving in with a partner. The models reveal that low sexual and relationship satisfaction are associated with breaking-up relative to still living apart. This study highlights the importance of considering sexual satisfaction in understanding better the risk of separation from a LAT partner, in addition to the global indicator of relationship satisfaction.
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spelling doaj.art-b4866354d38340f497c3a07b35eea06a2022-12-22T07:22:11ZengFederal Institute for Population ResearchComparative Population Studies1869-89801869-89992022-12-014710.12765/CPoS-2022-18538Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship TransitionsAlexandra-Andreea Ciritel0University of SouthamptonThere is limited understanding of how the aspects of sex and relationship quality are related to decisions on whether to move in together, separate or continue dating among living-apart together (LAT) couples. This paper focuses on sexual and relationship satisfaction in understanding LAT relationship transitions into coresidence or separation in Germany. The longitudinal prospective design of the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics data (pairfam, waves 1-9) is used. Discrete-time competing risk hazard models on LAT relationship outcomes to coresidence or separation are estimated. The results underline the fact that sexual satisfaction is not related to LAT partners’ decision to move in together; however, higher levels of relationship satisfaction are positively related to the decision of moving in with a partner. The models reveal that low sexual and relationship satisfaction are associated with breaking-up relative to still living apart. This study highlights the importance of considering sexual satisfaction in understanding better the risk of separation from a LAT partner, in addition to the global indicator of relationship satisfaction.https://www.comparativepopulationstudies.de/index.php/CPoS/article/view/538sexual satisfactionlat relationshipsrelationship satisfactionevent history analysisgermany
spellingShingle Alexandra-Andreea Ciritel
Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
Comparative Population Studies
sexual satisfaction
lat relationships
relationship satisfaction
event history analysis
germany
title Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
title_full Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
title_fullStr Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
title_full_unstemmed Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
title_short Does Sex Matter? The Role of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction on Living Apart Together Relationship Transitions
title_sort does sex matter the role of sexual and relationship satisfaction on living apart together relationship transitions
topic sexual satisfaction
lat relationships
relationship satisfaction
event history analysis
germany
url https://www.comparativepopulationstudies.de/index.php/CPoS/article/view/538
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