Online sexual experiences and relationship functioning in long distance relationships

Abstract

Over the past decade, research has sought to understand sexting behaviour among adolescents and young adults. Much of this work is atheoretical and harm-focused, and little research has investigated these behaviours in the context of committed adult romantic relationships. The current study seeks to understand sexting behaviours of adult long distance couples. The context of long distance relationships (LDRs) may be especially relevant for understanding the potential relational benefits of sexting because romantic partners usually have restricted opportunities to experience physical intimacy in this type of relationship. Adopting the intimacy process model as a guiding theoretical framework, we expected to find higher levels of perceived interpersonal closeness, sexual communication, and relationship and sexual satisfaction among long distance couples who practice sexting than those who do not. Results of the study, however, indicated no association between the frequency of sexting and interpersonal closeness among long distance couples. Consistent with our hypothesis, higher levels of sexual communication, relationship and sexual satisfaction were found to be correlated with more frequent sexting practices among these couples. The discussion concerns important theoretical distinctions between sexual communication and the frequency of sexting. Future research should carefully consider how sexual communication is expressed both within and outside of sexting encounters when investigating the role of sexting within LDRs.

Navigating Love in a Post-Pandemic World: Understanding Young Adults’ Views on Short- and Long-Term Romantic Relationships

“…Technology also enables sexting, a form of modern sexual communication (Van Ouytsel et al, 2020). Sexting allows sexual needs to be satisfied remotely, potentially shaping normative views on sex, especially for long-distance couples (Beckmeyer et al, 2022;Kafaee & Kohut, 2021). Technology's impact on romance also intertwines with culture.…”

Seksting u vrijeme korone – analiza povezanosti sekstinga s potrebom za seksualnim odnosom i brojem seksualnih partnera među mladima

“…Pritom valja uzeti u obzir potencijalno različite motive za upuštanje u seksting među mladima koji su u vezi ili braku te među samcima (Van Ouytsel i sur., 2020). Parovima seksting može poslužiti kao praksa za istraživanje intimnosti i seksualnosti ili poboljšanje seksualne komunikacije (Parker i sur., 2013) -posebice onima koji su u vezi "na daljinu" (Kafaee i Kohut, 2021;Walker i sur., 2013)research has sought to understand sexting behaviour among adolescents and young adults. Much of this work is atheoretical and harm-focused, and little research has investigated these behaviours in the context of committed adult romantic relationships.…”

“…Prva hipoteza nije potvrđena, odnosno nije utvrđena statistički značajna interakcija veće samoprocijenjene seksualne potrebe i partnerskog odnosa na učestalost sekstinga tijekom razdoblja pandemije. Iako su dosadašnja istraživanja pokazala da seksting može pozitivno pridonijeti funkcioniraju romantičnih veza (Van Ouytsel i sur., 2020), posebice u kontekstu fi zičke razdvojenosti (Kafaee i Kohut, 2021;Walker i sur., 2013)research has sought to understand sexting behaviour among adolescents and young adults. Much of this work is atheoretical and harm-focused, and little research has investigated these behaviours in the context of committed adult romantic relationships.…”