Study: Premarital Sex Detrimental to Relationships - Negatively Impacts Intimacy, Commitment, Sexual Satisfaction
Premarital sex could be detrimental to long term relationships, according to a new study, which cautions that sex early on in a relationship can stunt the growth of important developments.
Researchers at Cornell University have stated that abstaining from sex at the beginning of a courtship could lead to a healthier relationship. The research also suggested that having sex early on could stunt the growth of key factors from developing within a healthy relationship including "caring and understanding."
"Precocious premarital sexual activities may have lasting effects on relationship quality," researchers said. "Courtship is a time for exploration and decision-making about the relationship, when partners assess compatibility, make commitments and build on emotional and physical intimacy."
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The study, printed in the Journal of Marriage and Family, interviewed and analyzed data from 600 couples. The results revealed that women who put having sex off for over six months were more satisfied with their relationships than those women who waited less time.
"Women who deferred sexual involvement for over six months reported significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy and emotional support, as well as sexual satisfaction with their partner, than did those who became sexually involved within the first month," the study stated.
One in three men and women reported having sex within the first month of the relationship, whereas 28 percent waited more than six months. In regards to cohabitation, women who chose to marry before cohabitation were more likely to not have intercourse in the first six months. Only 6.5 percent of women who were cohabitating waited more than a month before having sex.
The numbers indicated that cohabitating led to increased sexual activity and could therefore also be associated with less happy relationships. Couples scored their relationships on topics, which included: commitment, intimacy, sexual satisfaction, communication and conflict.
