Advancing a Model of Mindful Sexual Communication: Testing Sexual Communication as a Mediator of the Association Between Sexual Mindfulness and Sexual Satisfaction.
Madison Wiese, Amanda Denes
The Journal of Sex Research October 26, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2026.2744375 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study testing a moderated mediation model Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 205 |
| Population | Young adult college students in a variety of relational contexts who had a recent sexual interaction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Sexual mindfulness awareness was indirectly associated with sexual satisfaction via both frequency and comfort of sexual communication, whereas non-judgment was indirectly associated only via communication comfort. In committed relationships, trusting the body and self-regulation moderated the indirect effect of non-judgment on satisfaction through communication comfort. The authors describe this as preliminary support for a model of mindful sexual communication. |
Abstract
Mindfulness and communication have powerful implications for sexual health. Sexual communication and sexual mindfulness - the ability to be aware and non-judgmental during sexual activity - are two constructs often associated with sexual satisfaction. To further explore these relationships, a model of mindful sexual communication was advanced. More specifically, a moderated mediation model was tested to explore the indirect effect of sexual mindfulness on sexual satisfaction through sexual communication, as well as the potential moderating role of interoceptive awareness (i.e., trusting the body and self-regulation). Data were collected from 205 young adult college students in a variety of relational contexts that had a recent sexual interaction. The results indicated that sexual mindfulness awareness was indirectly associated with sexual satisfaction via frequency and comfort of sexual communication, whereas sexual mindfulness non-judgment was only indirectly associated with sexual satisfaction via sexual communication comfort. Additionally, two moderated mediation models were supported for participants in committed relationships: trusting the body and self-regulation moderated the indirect effect of sexual mindfulness non-judgment on sexual satisfaction via sexual communication comfort. The results reveal that different aspects of sexual mindfulness function uniquely together with aspects of sexual communication and interoceptive awareness to predict sexual satisfaction, revealing preliminary support for a new theoretical model of mindful sexual communication. These findings and their implications for sexual communication and mindfulness are discussed along with practical applications for individuals and professionals.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Interoception, contemplative practice, and health Frontiers in Psychology June 9, 2015
- Mindfulness as Self-Regulated Attention Swiss Journal of Psychology 2012
- Mindfulness and Sex Education for Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: Mediators and Moderators of Treatment Outcome. The Journal of Sex Research May 2023
and 1 more in the library