Effect of Sexual Inhibition on Relational Security: Mediating Role of Emotional Openness

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effect of sexual inhibition on relational security, with emotional openness serving as a mediating variable. The research employed a descriptive correlational design and was conducted among 388 adult participants in China, selected using stratified random sampling based on Morgan and Krejcie’s sampling table. Standardized tools were used to measure sexual inhibition, emotional openness, and relational security. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for Pearson correlation coefficients and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Model fit indices were calculated to assess the adequacy of the proposed mediation model. Pearson correlations showed that sexual inhibition was negatively associated with emotional openness (r = –.48, p < .001) and relational security (r = –.41, p < .001), while emotional openness was positively correlated with relational security (r = .56, p < .001). SEM results indicated a good model fit (χ²/df = 1.88, RMSEA = 0.045, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.96). Sexual inhibition significantly predicted emotional openness (β = –0.48, p < .001) and relational security directly (β = –0.29, p < .001). Emotional openness also significantly predicted relational security (β = 0.54, p < .001). The indirect effect of sexual inhibition on relational security through emotional openness was significant (β = –0.26, p < .001), confirming partial mediation. The findings highlight that emotional openness mediates the negative impact of sexual inhibition on relational security. Enhancing emotional openness may serve as a protective mechanism to maintain relational stability in the presence of sexual inhibition. These results emphasize the need for integrative therapeutic interventions targeting both sexual functioning and emotional expressiveness in romantic relationships.