Roberts, S. C., Little, A. C., Burriss, R. P., Cobey, K. D., Klapilova, K., Havli ek, J., Jones, B. C. , DeBruine, L. and Petrie, M. (2014) Partner choice, relationship satisfaction, and oral contraception: the congruency hypothesis. Psychological Science, 25(7), pp. 1497-1503. (doi: 10.1177/0956797614532295)
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Abstract
Hormonal fluctuation across the menstrual cycle explains temporal variation in women’s judgment of the attractiveness of members of the opposite sex. Use of hormonal contraceptives could therefore influence both initial partner choice and, if contraceptive use subsequently changes, intrapair dynamics. Associations between hormonal contraceptive use and relationship satisfaction may thus be best understood by considering whether current use is congruent with use when relationships formed, rather than by considering current use alone. In the study reported here, we tested this congruency hypothesis in a survey of 365 couples. Controlling for potential confounds (including relationship duration, age, parenthood, and income), we found that congruency in current and previous hormonal contraceptive use, but not current use alone, predicted women’s sexual satisfaction with their partners. Congruency was not associated with women’s nonsexual satisfaction or with the satisfaction of their male partners. Our results provide empirical support for the congruency hypothesis and suggest that women’s sexual satisfaction is influenced by changes in partner preference associated with change in hormonal contraceptive use.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | DeBruine, Professor Lisa and Jones, Professor Benedict |
Authors: | Roberts, S. C., Little, A. C., Burriss, R. P., Cobey, K. D., Klapilova, K., Havli ek, J., Jones, B. C., DeBruine, L., and Petrie, M. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience |
Journal Name: | Psychological Science |
Publisher: | SAGE |
ISSN: | 0956-7976 |
ISSN (Online): | 1467-9280 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2014 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in Psychological Science 25(7):1497-1503 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
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