Is Texting Ruining Intimacy? Exploring Perceptions Among Sexuality Students in Higher Education

Abstract

In the context of researchers' and educators' concerns about the pervasive use of technology to communicate with one another, this study explored whether the frequency of emerging adults' computermediated communication (CMC) is correlated with their perceptions of intimacy, relationship, and sexual satisfaction. The sample included 298 young adults ages 18-29, primarily female students in human sexuality courses, who had been in a face-to-face romantic relationship for at least six weeks and who used CMC to communicate with their romantic partner. Examining the frequency of CMC, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction, the only significant correlation was with participants who sent a moderate number of emails to their partners in a typical day. There were no significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and frequency of any form of CMC (texting, instant messaging, or email). The findings of this research suggest that the use of CMC among this sample is not problematic. For some, in fact, CMC may be considered a helpful tool for maintaining their relationship.

That’s Not What I Meant

“…Because of the ambiguity of messages communicated electronically, we might expect relational problems to arise in relationships with heavy electronic communication usage. However, one recent study found no significant correlation between frequency of CMC (in this case referring to texting, instant messaging, and e-mail) and sexual satisfaction among young adults (McGee, 2014). In fact, the author argued that CMC usage may actually help some couples manage their relationship.…”

Les textos entre partenaires amoureux: un outil qui contribue à un meilleur déroulement des interactions en face-à-face ?

“…468-469), on peut se demander de quelle façon les textos -un moyen de communication a priori plus limité que la communication en faceà-face ou même le téléphone pour la transmission de signaux non verbaux -affectent les relations amoureuses. Même s'il est toujours ardu de déterminer si l'utilisation de nouveaux moyens de communication est généralement bénéfique ou nuisible aux relations interpersonnelles (Hwang, 2011;McGee, 2014), le présent article cherche à faire la lumière sur la question en se penchant plus spécifiquement sur l'utilisation des textos entre partenaires amoureux.…”