Seeking satisfaction for the long term.

• Position: Sexual Relations - Survey

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Cuddling and caressing are important ingredients for long-term relationship satisfaction, according to an international study that looks at relationships and sexual satisfaction throughout committed relationships, but, contrary to stereotypes, tenderness is more important to men than women. Also contrary to the expectations of the researchers, men were more likely to report being happy in their relationship, while women were more likely to report being satisfied.

The couples, from the U.S., Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Spain, were together an average of 25 years. The study, from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington, is the first to examine sexual and relationship parameters of middle-aged or older couples in committed, long-term unions.

For man, relationship happiness was more likely if the man said he was in good health and if it was important to him that his partner experienced orgasm. Frequent kissing or cuddling also predicted happiness in the relationship for men, but not for women. Men and women felt more happiness the longer they had been together and if they themselves scored higher on several sexual functioning questionnaires.

Men and women both were likely to indicate...