
The emotional cost of poor mating performance
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886918305348
Highlights
•People who experienced poor mating performance experienced more negative emotions.
•People who experienced good mating performance experienced more positive emotions.
•Mating performance had a moderate to strong effect on emotions and wellbeing.
•About one in two participants faced difficulties in intimate relationships.
So people who can't get laid are unhappy?
Snarky tone aside, doesn't this seem a bit obvious? Did they really need to apply the scientific method to arrive at this conclusion?
Actually, this is useful
although, as you say, it should be beyond obvious.
These days most sexologists would have you believe that if you're bummed, you just need antidepressants and a trip to the local BDSM parlor for an intense orgasmic experience.
As a profession they have struggled mightily (and quite successfully...as many are now teaching "sex" to kids in schools) to deny the health and well being benefits of close, trusted companionship and emphasize the benefits of getting off - whatever it takes.
Even this paper is carefully worded: "Mating success" rather than "close, trusted companionship."