Partner choice, relationship satisfaction, and oral contraception: the congruency hypothesis

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
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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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
604381OCMATE: Do oral contraceptives alter women's mate preferences?Benedict JonesEuropean Research Council (ERC)OCMATE FP7ERC28RI NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY