In a recent study, researchers delved into the topic of mutual masturbation among heterosexual couples to understand its correlations with sexual satisfaction and self-esteem. The online survey, conducted on 117 women and 151 men, with an average age of 29.7 years, revealed intriguing insights into the mutual sexual behaviour, its acceptance, and its psychological implications. The findings were published in the International Journal of Sexual Health.
Masturbation is traditionally understood as a solitary act. But the researchers highlighted that mutual masturbation – the act where partners stimulate each other’s genitals manually – is a common practice and lacks scholarly attention.
The survey focused on various dimensions including participants’ solo and partnered sexual activities, their feelings about mutual masturbation, and how these experiences influenced their sexual self-esteem and satisfaction.
One striking finding was the prevalence of mutual masturbation among both genders. Even though men expressed significantly higher positive feelings about mutual masturbation, the activity was reported by almost half of the male and female participants in the past two weeks.
The data further revealed a positive association between recent mutual masturbation and sexual satisfaction, regardless of the gender. Surprisingly, the correlation with sexual self-esteem wasn’t significant, contradicting the widespread belief that self-esteem is closely tied to sexual satisfaction.
Participants who reported recent mutual masturbation, absence of any illness/disability, and non-participation in religious practices were more likely to report higher positive feelings about mutual masturbation. However, when it came to negative feelings, the researchers found no significant difference between genders.
One notable aspect of this study was its emphasis on positive emotional associations with mutual masturbation. Participants often reported feeling “happy”, “good,” and “satisfied” during the act, underscoring its potential role in enhancing emotional intimacy and sexual satisfaction among couples.
The study, however, didn’t identify any association between the act of mutual masturbation and sexual self-esteem, suggesting that these factors may operate independently or be influenced by other elements not captured in this research.
Despite the traditional view that masturbation is a solitary activity, the high prevalence of both solo and mutual masturbation among the study’s partnered sample challenges this notion. These findings indicate a shift from the longstanding belief that only single people masturbate and further highlight the importance of including mutual masturbation in discussions and research about sexual health and satisfaction.
In the context of couple therapy, these findings can be groundbreaking. Therapists can promote mutual masturbation as a tool to improve sexual communication, satisfaction, and overall relationship health. By de-stigmatizing this practice and encouraging more open conversations around it, therapists can help couples explore new dimensions of their sexual relationship.
This study offers valuable insights into a previously overlooked aspect of partnered sexual activity. It presents mutual masturbation as a common and emotionally positive experience, promoting sexual satisfaction among both men and women. However, it is essential to continue this exploration, as many elements remain to be understood – for instance, why mutual masturbation doesn’t seem to affect sexual self-esteem.
Undoubtedly, this research contributes significantly to the understanding of partnered sexual behaviour and opens the door for more comprehensive studies on mutual masturbation. This, in turn, can have far-reaching implications for sexual health education, therapy, and general awareness about healthy sexual practices.
