%0 Journal Article
%T Toward a Post
%A Amanda Denes
%J Communication Research
%@ 1552-3810
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0093650215619216
%X This study investigates communication during the post-sex time interval (PSTI) and extends previous work on communication after sexual activity by testing a post-sex disclosures model (PSDM) using structural equation modeling (SEM). Two-hundred six individuals completed surveys after sexual activity regarding their communication behaviors during the PSTI. The results revealed that individuals who orgasmed assessed greater benefits/fewer risks to disclosing after sexual activity, and orgasm was indirectly associated with positive relational disclosures through risk-benefit assessments. However, positive relational disclosures after sexual activity were not predictive of relationship satisfaction. Rather, perceiving greater benefits/fewer risks to disclosing was associated with increased relationship satisfaction, and orgasm was indirectly related to relationship satisfaction through risk-benefit assessments. Together, these findings suggest that fundamental communication and relational processes occur after sexual activity and that assessments of the potential outcomes of post-sex communication have important effects on relationship well-being
%K post-sex time interval
%K sexual communication
%K disclosure
%K risk-benefit assessments
%K pillow talk
%K oxytocin
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0093650215619216