A Mixed Methods Study of Sexual Communication in Various Couple Typologies Part I: Cluster Analysis.

This study presents the first part of a mixed-methods exploration of couple sexual communication. Typologies of heterosexual couples in committed, sexual relationships were created for further exploration of group differences in sexual communication. A cluster analysis categorized couples into four different couple typologies: mutually satisfied, satisfied men/dissatisfied women, satisfied women/dissatisfied men, and mutually dissatisfied. Using a MANOVA approach, the couple typologies were used to identify differences in how the couple types communicated about sex. The results revealed significant differences among the differing couple types, which will be explored qualitatively in part two of this analysis.