Sexual Nostalgia as a Response to Unmet Sexual and Relational Needs: The Role of Attachment Avoidance

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_638BB935BC78
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Sexual Nostalgia as a Response to Unmet Sexual and Relational Needs: The Role of Attachment Avoidance
Journal
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Author(s)
Muise Amy, Kim James J., Debrot Anik, Impett Emily A., MacDonald Geoff
ISSN
0146-1672
1552-7433
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/2020
Volume
46
Number
11
Pages
1538-1552
Language
english
Abstract
Romantic relationships help people meet needs for connection and emotional and sexual fulfillment. In the current research, we investigate an unexplored response to feeling sexually and relationally unfulfilled: reflecting on positive sexual experiences with past partners (or sexual nostalgia). Across three studies, people low in attachment avoidance (i.e., comfortable with closeness) who were (a) single or (b) sexually or relationally dissatisfied reported greater sexual nostalgia, whereas people high in attachment avoidance (i.e., value autonomy) did not calibrate their feelings of sexual nostalgia based on their current relationship status or satisfaction. Sexual fantasies about past partners (i.e., sexual nostalgia) were distinct from other types of sexual fantasies (Study 1) and the effects could not be attributed to general nostalgia (Study 2) or sexual desire (Study 3). Chronic sexual nostalgia detracted from satisfaction over time. The findings have implications for theories of nostalgia and attachment and for managing unfulfilled needs in relationships.
Keywords
Social Psychology, nostalgia, attachment, satisfaction, sexuality, relationships
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
11/02/2020 13:02
Last modification date
21/11/2022 9:19
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