The Mediating Effects of Chemyon (Face) Sensitivity and Ambivalence over Emotional Expressiveness in the Effect of Marital Attachment on Sexual Behavior

Objectives: This study examines the mediating effects of chemyon (face) sensitivity and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in the relationship between marital attachment and sexual behavior among married individuals. Methods: Data were collected through online surveys from married men and women whose first child is in elementary school, considering factors such as gender, age, region, income, and education level (N=380). Results: The analysis showed differences in marital attachment and sexual behavior by gender. Second, correlation analysis indicated positive correlations among all variables except for three relationships: attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety, sexual deactivation and sexual hyperactivation, and attachment avoidance and sexual hyperactivation. Third, mediation analysis revealed that ambivalence over emotional expressiveness was a mediator only in the relationship between attachment avoidance and sexual behavior. In contrast, both chemyon sensitivity and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and sexual behavior, including sequential mediation effects. Conclusions: This study offers significant insights for family therapy and counseling by exploring the mediating roles of Chemyon sensitivity and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness in the influence of marital attachment on sexual behavior.