Citation: Leonhardt, N. D., Busby, D. M., Carroll, J. S., Leavitt, C. E., & Impett, E. A. (2026). Sexual flourishing: An expanded vision of sexual quality. Journal of Marriage and Family, 88(4), 1085-1099. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.70068
The Bottom-line at the Top: Relationship education often targets the sexual relationship. Then improvements in the sexual relationship are usually measured with a simple sexual satisfaction questionnaire. This study explores whether an expanded concept of sexual flourishing is distinct from sexual satisfaction and can enrich the understanding of sex, highlighting the relational and ethical dimensions of sex rather than the pleasure aspect. Sexual flourishing emphasizes the sexual relationship as a means of personal and interpersonal growth, belonging and connection (including intimacy, authenticity, and giving), meaning and purpose, and engagement. The study found that a 6-item measure of sexual flourishing overlaps with a measure of sexual satisfaction (they are correlated) but is also distinct. Study participants who reported higher sexual flourishing were more likely to view sex as a way to deepen their relationship and were more motivated to meet their partner's sexual needs. In contrast, people who scored high on sexual satisfaction were more likely to view sex primarily as a source of physical pleasure and more consistent orgasms.
Study Set-up:
Relationship education (RE) often includes curriculum intended to help couples improve the quality of their sexual relationship. The effects of the curriculum on the sexual relationship are commonly measured by a straightforward, efficient questionnaire on personal sexual satisfaction.
But is sexual satisfaction the only or best way to measure the quality of a sexual relationship and how RE programs impact it? Are there other elements to the sexual relationship that are just as important – or even more important – for relationship educators to teach and RE evaluators to measure?
This study explored whether an expanded concept of sexual flourishing is distinct from sexual satisfaction and can enrich the understanding of sex. Sexual flourishing highlights the relational and ethical dimensions of sex rather than the pleasure aspect. Sexual flourishing emphasizes the sexual relationship as a means of personal and interpersonal growth, belonging and connection, and relational meaning and purpose.
Brief Note on Study Methods:
The researchers conducted a complex series of three related studies to test whether sexual satisfaction and sexual flourishing are statistically distinct, including two large-scale (non-representative) web-based surveys (Study 1 N = 1,479; Study 2 N = 1,579) and a smaller scale daily diary study (Study 3 N = 127).
The researchers conducted sophisticated scale development analyses to develop an efficient, 6-item measure of sexual flourishing that tapped dimensions of growth, belonging and connection (including intimacy, authenticity, and giving), and meaning and purpose in their sexual relationship.
The researchers then used sophisticated statistical analyses to test whether sexual satisfaction and sexual flourishing could be distinct concepts.
Key Findings of the Study:
Were the researchers able to create an efficient measure of sexual flourishing? Yes. They were able to reduce a 32-item questionnaire down to six items that measured sexual flourishing with good reliability and validity. Here are the six items:
1. We are developing a deeper knowledge of each other's bodies and sexual preferences.
2. Our sexual relationship includes deep mutual respect and admiration.
3. Our sexual relationship includes caring and genuine acceptance.
4. We do things in our sexual relationship that are deeply meaningful to us as a couple.
5. Our sexual relationship is enhanced by shared experiences over the course of our time together.
6. I feel completely immersed in sexual activity with my partner.
Notice how these items are distinct from one of the measures of sexual satisfaction the researchers used (Quality of Sex scale):
1. My sex life is fulfilling.
2. I am happy with my sex life with my partner.
3. I am satisfied with our sexual relationship.
4. I am happy with the quality of sexual activity in our relationship.
5. Sexual activity with my partner is fantastic.
6. I am happy with my partner as a lover.
Are sexual satisfaction and sexual flourishing correlated or distinct? Yes, they are correlated. Still, they predicted sexual outcomes in different ways:
Sexual flourishing was strongly associated with sexual communal strength (the motivation to meet your partner’s sexual needs) and relationship building, but it was only weakly associated with pleasure seeking and not associated with orgasm consistency.
On the other hand, sexual satisfaction was strongly associated with orgasm consistency, weakly associated with pleasure seeking, but not related to sexual communal strength or relationship building.
So, the researchers concluded that they are distinct enough to provide a different perspective on the sexual relationship. This was true when the researchers followed a group of couples over a two-week period, as well (in study 3).
Is sexual flourishing a better focus than sexual satisfaction? Overall, the researchers found that a sexual relationship emphasizing relational giving promotes flourishing more than one focused primarily on pleasure.
Implications for the RE Field:
Examine the focus. When we include sexual relationship content in our RE curricula, are we promoting a focus on sexual satisfaction or on sexual flourishing or both? A focus on growth, belonging, meaning, and engagement may offer a richer view for couples, perhaps creating new ways to deepen their connection and understanding of conflict over sex.
Both/And. Focusing on sexual satisfaction may be a good way to open up dialogue and surface feelings. But also including a focus on sexual flourishing – with an emphasis on mutual connection and giving and understanding – will likely deepen the conversation and open up more effective dialogue.
Measurement. Consider adding a measure of sexual flourishing to the common measure of sexual satisfaction to see how your RE program is impacting the couple sexual relationship. Moving the needle on sexual flourishing may have a more enduring effect on the couple relationship than just improving sexual satisfaction.
Last Word: RE instruction on improving couples’ sexual relationship will benefit from a focus on sexual flourishing as well as sexual satisfaction. Relationship educators can effectively include both perspectives in their curricula and measure them efficiently to demonstrate important change.
