Abstract
<jats:p>Introduction: The age of sexual initiation constitutes a significant formative factor for so-called sexual scripts and is linked to the quality of intimate relationships formed in the future. Researchers indicate that early sexual debut may be associated with a risk of permissiveness and relationship instability, whereas later initiation fosters the formation of higher quality and more stable marital unions. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the age of sexual initiation and the quality of marital relationships in adulthood, as well as to verify the hypothesis regarding the mediating role of attitudes towards sexuality in this process. Method: The study involved a group of 455 young adults (222 men and 233 women) aged 20–35 who were in marital relationships. A diagnostic survey model was employed using six standardized research tools (measuring attachment/bonding, love, communication, mate selection, sexual satisfaction, and global relationship quality) and an original questionnaire regarding attitudes and sexual biography. Correlational analyses, difference tests, and mediation analysis were used to verify the hypotheses. Results: The research showed that a later age of initiation co-occurs with a lower number of sexual partners and a higher level of maturity regarding attitudes towards sexuality. The direct link between the age of initiation and marital quality proved to be weak. A key finding is the confirmation of mediation: the relationship between the age of initiation and the quality of the marital relationship disappears when attitudes are taken into account, and attitudes towards sexuality play a significant mediating role in the relationship between the age of initiation and marital relationship quality. This indicates that individuals with mature attitudes (integrating the sensual sexual sphere with the emotional and evaluative ones), regardless of the age of initiation, form more satisfying relationships, although these attitudes correlate more frequently with later sexual initiation. Conclusions: The study revealed that the direct relationship between the age of initiation and marital relationship quality is weak and loses statistical significance after accounting for attitudes towards sexuality (mediation effect). This means that early initiation does not directly determine lower marital relationship quality in adulthood, but rather acts indirectly – through its association with the formation of immature, instrumental attitudes towards sexuality. It is these attitudes, rather than the biographical fact from the past itself, that constitute the key predictor of current marital quality, particularly in the dimensions of perceived mate selection and emotional bonding. The results suggest that the negative consequences of early initiation can be mitigated by shaping mature, integrated attitudes towards sexuality in young people.</jats:p>