Sammendrag
This study investigated the association between sexual satisfaction and sexual dreams. Research has previously investigated both variables separately, but the association between them has received less attention. Sexual dreams might function as compensatory mechanisms to heighten sexual satisfaction, or they can be mediated by experiences in waking day life, thereby sexual satisfaction. As our study sought to investigate this relationship, it gives information and data regarding the topics themselves, and how to perceive them. By utilizing surveys including variables such as sexual satisfaction, relationship status, gender, and sexual activity, 87 participants gave information about their dreams during a 28-day data collection period, where participants were to fill out one survey each morning. Results showed significant positive correlations between relationship status and sexual satisfaction, no correlation between sexual satisfaction and sexual dreams, and a small group difference within sexual satisfaction with higher scoring participants reporting more frequent sexual dreams. Almost no explanatory power for age, gender, relationship status, and sexual satisfaction in predicting sexual dreams was found. Future research should employ longitudinal designs as it seems best suited to give information regarding sexual dreams and sexual satisfaction over time. It should also include a Scandinavian sample and focus on mediating variables that might affect sexual satisfaction and sexual dreams directly and indirectly. As literature and knowledge develop, new insight will be brought forward regarding the mechanisms behind these variables, as well as contribute to the understanding of how they function dependently, independently, and how they affect other topics such as psychopathology.
Keywords: Sexual satisfaction, dreams, sexual dreams, continuity hypothesis, compensatory aspects of dreams, relationship status