Perceived Consequences of Casual Online Sexual Activities on Heterosexual Relationships: A U.S. Online Survey

Abstract

Some researchers have illustrated how the Internet can provide users with an ideal atmosphere to explore sexuality; however, most have stressed the Internet’s negative impact on intimate relationships. Notably, much of this research has focused on the small minority of men who compulsively engage in online sexual activities (OSA), overlooking the majority of men and women who use OSA recreationally (either individually or with a partner). Addressing these limitations, data on heterosexual adults in committed relationships were taken from the 2004 “ELLE/msnbc.com Cyber-sex and Romance Survey” (n = 8,376). In quantitative analyses, men were less likely than women to express concerns and more likely to hold favorable attitudes about their partner’s OSA. With regard to the impact of OSA on intimate relationships, men and women did not differ in becoming “more open to new things,” and finding it easier “to talk about what [they] want sexually.” Negative impacts were also identified, with women more likely to indicate they had less sex as a result of a partner’s OSA, and men more likely to indicate they were less aroused by real sex as a result of their own OSA. Generally, qualitative results mirrored quantitative ones. Additionally, qualitative data suggested that moderate or light amounts of OSA yield relationship benefits for both female and male users, including increases in the quality and frequency of sex, and increased intimacy with real partners. In addition, men who used the Internet moderately, and men and women who reported being light users, stated that engaging in tandem OSA fostered better sexual communication with partners. Findings underscore the need to explore further the impact that online sexual activities can have on real-life committed relationships.

Differences in Pornography Use Among Couples: Associations with Satisfaction, Stability, and Relationship Processes

“…Like individuallevel results, some research on couples has shown pornography use to have positive correlates. Grov et al (2011) found that when viewed together aspartners,pornography usewasassociated with increases in sexual frequency, a willingness to try new sexual behaviors, and less boredom with sex. Couples who utilized pornography together also found it easier to discuss sexual wants and fantasies with their partners (Daneback, Traeen, & Månsson, 2009).…”

“…At the individual level, higher rates of pornography use have been found to be associated with greater levels of depressionamongmen(Bridges&Morokoff,2011),morenegative feelingsaboutromanticpartners (Grov,Gillespie,Royce,&Lever, 2011), and engagement in risky sexual behaviors (Sinkovic, Stulhofer, & Bozic, 2012). This research is partially countered by research which has suggested that pornography exposure may be related to increased sexual knowledge and openness for some individuals (Lofgren-Mårtenson & Månsson, 2010;Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, & Irizarry, 2010).…”

Cybersex addiction: Experienced sexual arousal when watching pornography and not real-life sexual contacts makes the difference

“…they experience sexual arousal (Paul, 2009;Shaughnessy et al, 2011), improve their sex life, gain sexual knowledge, change attitudes towards sex and life in general (Hald & Malamuth, 2008), and enrich their real-life sexual contacts (Grov, Gillespie, Royce & Lever, 2011). While the negative impact of pornography on opposite gender role-models (Barak, Fisher, Belfry & Lashambe, 1999), sexual socialization (Stulhofer, Busko & Landripet, 2010), and partnerships (Whitty & Quigley, 2008) has also found its introduction into (Internet) pornography literature, there are several cybersex specific negative consequences discussed.…”

“We Agree and Now Everything Goes My Way”: Consensual Sexual Nonmonogamy, Extradyadic Sex, and Relationship Satisfaction

“…32 Nonetheless, not all online interactions are detrimental to romantic relationships. 33,34 For example, Grov and colleagues 35 showed that moderate or light amounts of online sexual activities can yield relationship benefits, including increases in the quality and frequency of sex, and greater intimacy with the primary partner. This seems to depend on the agreements conveyed in the relationship and on what role technologymediated behaviors play in the relationship.…”