Study: "The emotional cost of poor mating performance"

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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.

Abstract

Recent studies indicated that a considerable proportion of adult individuals experience poor mating performance: They face considerable difficulties in attracting and retaining mates. Using an evolutionary theoretical framework, we hypothesized that poor mating performance would be associated with more negative and fewer positive emotions as well as low life satisfaction. Evidence from an online sample of 735 participants provided strong support for this hypothesis. In particular, we found that individuals who indicated poor mating performance, experienced more negative emotions such as sadness and loneliness, and fewer positive emotions such as happiness and excitement, and they were less satisfied with their lives. On the other hand, those who indicated a good performance in mating, experienced more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions, and they were more satisfied with their lives. As indicated by the effect sizes, mating performance had a moderate to strong effect on positive and negative emotions and wellbeing. Also, consistent with the results of previous research, we found that about one in two participants faced difficulties in either starting or keeping an intimate relationship.

 

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."