The effect of gender roles on sexual assertiveness, engagement in sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual couples

The present study examines the relationship between gender roles and sexual assertiveness, engagement in sexual behavior, and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual couples. While previous studies have found males exhibit more assertive behaviors than females and that there is a relationship between gender roles and behavior, to date no study has examined how gender roles relates to sexual assertiveness level and sexual satisfaction between males and females. This study found a positive relationship between sexual assertiveness and general assertiveness, between sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction, and between sexual assertiveness and initiation of sexual behaviors. There was not a significant difference between general assertiveness scores in males and females, nor did gender role (either more or less traditional) have an effect on sexual assertiveness. Previous research supports the importance of this study as sexual satisfaction is connected to overall relational satisfaction and relationships in which assertive communication is used tend to be more satisfied