Implicit sexual beliefs and relational thriving in new romantic relationships facing imagined sexual dysfunction: The mediating role of sexual communal strength
Restricted accessOtherFirst published online August, 2025
Implicit sexual beliefs and relational thriving in new romantic relationships facing imagined sexual dysfunction: The mediating role of sexual communal strength
Guided by implicit theories of relationships and sexual satisfaction and the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL), our study investigated the mediating role of sexual communal strength on associations between implicit beliefs regarding sexual compatibility and relational thriving in new romantic couples (≤ 6 months duration) facing a hypothetical scenario of sexual dysfunction (i.e., vulvovaginal pain or erectile dysfunction). Participants in new romantic relationships (N = 461) completed an experimental survey in which they imagined their partner was experiencing sexual dysfunction. We explored indirect associations among implicit beliefs about sexual compatibility, specifically sexual growth (i.e., sexual [in]compatibility requires work) and sexual destiny (i.e., sexual [in]compatibility as being reflective of a [poor] romantic match) beliefs, and couples’ anticipated relational thriving, mediated by sexual communal strength. Our hypothesized model was tested via structural equation modeling in SPSS AMOS 29. The findings indicated that sexual growth beliefs, but not sexual destiny beliefs, were indirectly associated with anticipated relational thriving through sexual communal strength. Specifically, sexual growth beliefs were positively associated with sexual communal strength, which in turn was associated with and greater anticipated relational thriving. Although the indirect effect for sexual destiny beliefs was not significant, sexual destiny beliefs were significantly associated with less anticipated relational thriving. We extend theorizing about implicit (sexual) beliefs by examining a new relational context—relationship initiation—as well as offer practical implications for partnerships experiencing sexual dysfunction.
AfifiT. D.BasingerE. D.KamJ. A. (2020). The extended theoretical model of communal coping: Understanding the properties and functionality of communal coping. Journal of Communication, 70(3), 424–446. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqaa006
2.
AfifiT. D.GrangerD.ErsigA.TsalikianE.ShahnaziA.DavisS.HarrisonK.CallejasM. A.ScrantonA. (2019). Testing the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL) in families with Type 1 diabetes. Health Communication, 34(10), 1107–1119. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1461585
3.
AfifiT. D.HaughtonC.MazurA. P. (2022). The theory of resilience and relational load: Implications for research and practice. In BraithwaiteD. O.SchrodtP. (Eds.), Engaging theories in interpersonal communication (3rd ed.). Routledge.
4.
AfifiT. D.HaughtonC.ParrishC. (2021). Relational load: Implications for executive functioning, mental health, and feelings of unity in romantic relationships. Communication Monographs, 88(4), 506–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2021.1896015
5.
AfifiT. D.MerollaA. J.AfifiW. A.GonzalesC.SalehuddinA.SalmonJ.WilsonV. (2024). Individuals’ perceptions of reciprocal relationship maintenance in their marriage and its impact on communal orientation, relational load, and ability to flourish. Human Communication Research, 50(3), 324–337. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqad056
6.
AfifiT. D.MerrillA. F.DavisS. (2016). The theory of resilience and relational load. Personal Relationships, 23(4), 663–683. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12159
7.
American Psychiatric Association [APA]. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.
8.
BabarskieneJ.GaidukJ. (2018). Implicit theories of marital relationships: A grounded theory of socializing influences. Marriage & Family Review, 54(4), 313–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2017.1347547
9.
BalzariniR. N.MuiseA.DobsonK.KohutT.RaposoS.CampbellL. (2021). The detriments of unmet sexual ideals and buffering effect of sexual communal strength. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(6), 1521–1550. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000323
10.
BasingerE. D.WehrmanE. C.DelaneyA. L.McAninchK. G. (2021). Couples managing chronic illness: A test of the extended theoretical model of communal coping. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(5), 1611–1632. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407521999461
BusbyD. M.SpencerS.ButlerM. H.AndersonS. R. (2024). Sexual beliefs in couple relationships: Exploring the pathways of mindfulness, communication, and sexual functioning on sexual passion and satisfaction. Family Process, 63(1), 130–150. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12917
14.
ChakrabartiA.GhoshJ. K. (2011). AIC, BIC and recent advances in model selection. In BandyopadhyayP. S.ForsterM. R. (Eds.), Philosophy of statistics (pp. 583–605). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-51862-0.50018-6
15.
ComreyA. L.LeeH. B. (1992). A first course in factor analysis (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.
16.
ConnorK. M.DavidsonJ. R. T. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113
17.
DayL. C.MuiseA.JoelS.ImpettE. A. (2015). To do it or not to do it? How communally motivated people navigate sexual interdependence dilemmas. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41(6), 791–804. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215580129
18.
DelaneyA. L. (2019). Sexual intimacy challenges as markers of relational turbulence in couples with depression. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(10), 3075–3097. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518809488
19.
DuneT. M.ShuttleworthR. P. (2009). “It’s just supposed to happen”: The myth of sexual spontaneity and the sexually marginalized. Sexuality and Disability, 27(2), 97–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-009-9119-y
FraniukR.CohenD.PomerantzE. M. (2002). Implicit theories of relationships: Implications for relationship satisfaction and longevity. Personal Relationships, 9(4), 345–367. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.09401
22.
FraniukR.PomerantzE. M.CohenD. (2004). The causal role of theories of relationships: Consequences for satisfaction and cognitive strategies. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30(11), 1497–1507. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167204264894
23.
GoldsteinA. T.PukallC. F.GoldsteinI. (Eds.), (2020). Female sexual pain disorders: Evaluation and management. John Wiley & Sons.
24.
GunningJ. N.RubinskyV.AragónA.RoldánM.McMahonT.Cooke-JacksonA. (2023). A preliminary investigation into intersections of sexual communication in bondage, domination, sadomasochism and disability. Sexuality & Culture, 27(4), 1163–1179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-022-10058-8
25.
HaT.OverbeekG.Lichtwarck-AschoffA.EngelsR. C. (2013). Do conflict resolution and recovery predict the survival of adolescents’ romantic relationships?PLoS One, 8(4), Article e61871. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061871
26.
HintzE. A. (2019a). The vulvar vernacular: Dilemmas experienced and strategies recommended by women with chronic genital pain. Health Communication, 34(14), 1721–1730. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1517709
27.
HintzE. A. (2019b). Disrupting sexual norms: An application of the critical interpersonal and family communication (CIFC) framework in the context of vulvodynia. Journal of Family Communication, 19(2), 110–125. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2019.1580196
28.
HoelterJ. W. (1983). The analysis of covariant structures: Goodness-of-fit indices. Sociological Methods & Research, 11(3), 325–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124183011003003
29.
HogueJ. V.RosenN. O.BockajA.ImpettE. A.MuiseA. (2019). Sexual communal motivation in couples coping with low sexual interest/arousal: Associations with sexual well-being and sexual goals. PLoS One, 14(7), Article e0219768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219768
30.
HolmesB. M. (2007). In search of my “one-and-only”: Romance-oriented media and beliefs in romantic relationship destiny. Electronic Journal of Communication, 17(3/4). https://www.cinematherapy.com/pressclippings/Holmes.pdf
31.
HuL.BentlerP. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
KnappM. L. (1978). Social intercourse: From greeting to goodbye. Allyn & Bacon.
34.
KneeC. R. (1998). Implicit theories of relationships: Assessment and prediction of romantic relationship initiation, coping, and longevity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(2), 360–370. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.2.360
35.
KneeC. R.CanevelloA. (2006). Implicit theories of relationships and coping in romantic relationships. In VohsK. D.FinkelE. J. (Eds.), Self and relationships: Connecting intrapersonal and interpersonal processes (pp. 160–176). Guilford.
36.
KyriazosT. A. (2018). Applied psychometrics: Sample size and sample power considerations in factor analysis (EFA, CFA) and SEM in general. Psychology, 9(08), 2207–2230. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2018.98126
37.
LannuttiP.ButauskiM.RubinskyV.HudakN. (2021). Setting the agenda: LGBTQ+ and SGM family communication. Journal of Family Communication, 21(2), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2021.1912048
38.
LaumannE. O.PaikA.RosenR. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281(6), 537–544. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.281.6.537
39.
LippmanJ. R.WardM.SeabrookR. C. (2014). Isn’t it romantic? Differential associations between romantic screen media genres and romantic beliefs. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 3(3), 128–140. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000034
40.
MatsunagaM. (2010). How to factor-analyze your data right: Do’s, don’ts, and how-to’s. International Journal of Psychological Research, 3(1), 97–110. https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.854
41.
MaxwellJ. A.MuiseA.MacDonaldG.DayL. C.RosenN. O.ImpettE. A. (2017). How implicit theories of sexuality shape sexual and relationship well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 112(2), 238–279. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000078
42.
McAninchK. G.BasingerE. D.DelaneyA. L.WehrmanE. C. (2023). Integrating relational turbulence theory and the theory of resilience and relational load to investigate the relationships of couples with chronic illness. Communication Quarterly, 71(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2022.2100267
43.
McAninchK. G.DelaneyA.BasingerE. D.WehrmanE. (2023). Validating communication in couples’ experience of chronic illness: Associations with relational and health circumstances and overarching relational perceptions. Western Journal of Communication, 83(4), 556–577. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2022.2135385
44.
McKinlayJ. B. (2000). The worldwide prevalence and epidemiology of erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research, 12(4), S6–S11. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900567
45.
MuiseA.BergeronS.ImpettE. A.RosenN. O. (2017). The costs and benefits of sexual communal motivation for couples coping with vulvodynia. Health Psychology: Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 36(8), 819–827. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000470. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/hea0000470
46.
MuiseA.ImpettE. A.KoganA.DesmaraisS. (2013). Keeping the spark alive: Being motivated to meet a partner’s sexual needs sustains sexual desire in long-term romantic relationships. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 4(3), 267–273. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550612457185
47.
NguyenH. M. T.GabrielsonA. T.HellstromW. J. (2017). Erectile dysfunction in young men—A review of the prevalence and risk factors. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 5(4), 508–520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.05.004
48.
PazmanyE.BergeronS.VerhaegheJ.Van OudenhoveL.EnzlinP. (2015). Dyadic sexual communication in pre-menopausal women with self-reported dyspareunia and their partners: Associations with sexual function, sexual distress and dyadic adjustment. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(2), 516–528. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12787
49.
RaposoS.RosenN. O.Corsini-MuntS.MaxwellJ. A.MuiseA. (2021). Navigating women’s low desire: Sexual growth and destiny beliefs and couples’ well-being. The Journal of Sex Research, 58(9), 1118–1129. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1884179
50.
ReynoldsB. S.CohenB. D.SchochetB. V.PriceS. C.AndersonA. J. (1981). Dating skills training in the group treatment of erectile dysfunction for men without partners. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 7(3), 184–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926238108405803
51.
RomaniukO.TeránL. (2022). First impression sexual scripts of romantic encounters: Effect of gender on verbal and nonverbal immediacy behaviors in American media dating culture. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(2), 107–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211033036
52.
RossiM. A.ImpettE. A.DawsonS. J.VannierS.KimJ.RosenN. O. (2022). A longitudinal investigation of couples’ sexual growth and destiny beliefs in the transition to parenthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(3), 1559–1575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02267-3
53.
RossiM. A.PéloquinK.AllsopD. B.El AmiriS.BouzayenR.BrassardA.BergeronS.RosenN. O. (2023). Sexual growth and destiny beliefs: Longitudinal associations with dyadic coping among couples seeking medically assisted reproduction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 20(10), 1241–1251. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad098
54.
RubinskyV. (2019). Extending the theory of resilience and relational load into polyamorous relationships. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 13(2), 144–170. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v13i2.364
55.
ShifrenJ. L.MonzB. U.RussoP. A.SegretiA.JohannesC. B. (2008). Sexual problems and distress in United States women: Prevalence and correlates. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 112(5), 970–978. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181898cdb
56.
StaffordL.CanaryD. J. (1991). Maintenance strategies and romantic relationship type, gender and relational characteristics. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 8(2), 217–242. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407591082004
57.
SutherlandS.RehmanU. S. (2018). Viewing sexual desire as stable versus fluid: The impact of implicit beliefs on women’s coping with sexual desire problems. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 44(4), 410–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1405306
58.
TanakaJ. S. (1987). How big is big enough? Sample size and goodness of fit in structural equation models with latent variables. Child Development, 58(1), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130296
TuckerR. V.HintzE. A. (2024). Advancing a critical postmodern approach to stigma management communication (SMC) theory in the context of difficulty orgasming. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 52(3), 401–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2024.2325368
61.
TuckerR. V.HintzE. A.DenesA.GunningJ. N. (2024). Disclosing sexual dysfunction in newly established romantic relationships: An experimental test of five strategies from the revelation risk model. Health Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2427957 (Advance online publication).
62.
UppotA.RaposoS.RosenN. O.Corsini-MuntS.BalzariniR.MuiseA. (2024). Responsiveness in the face of sexual challenges: The role of sexual growth and destiny beliefs. The Journal of Sex Research, 61(2), 228–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2175194
63.
VanceG.Zeigler-HillV.MeehanM. M.YoungG.ShackelfordT. K. (2023). Sexual communal strength partially mediates the associations between mate retention behaviors and relationship satisfaction. The Journal of Sex Research, 60(3), 399–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.2023856
64.
WolfE. J.HarringtonK. M.ClarkS. L.MillerM. W. (2013). Sample size requirements for structural equation models: An evaluation of power, bias, and solution propriety. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 76(6), 913–934. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164413495237
65.
WolfeB. H.ScharpK. M. (2022). Resisting and reifying meaning in everyday life: Using relational dialectics theory to understand the meaning of heterosexual dating. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(9), 2680–2700. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221087462
66.
World Health Organization [WHO]. (2019). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). World Health Organization.
67.
WuT.ZhengY. (2022). Sexual destiny and growth beliefs, yuan beliefs, approach sexual motives, and sexual communication in Chinese heterosexual adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(2), 372–392. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211038624
