The effects of sexually explicit material use on romantic relationship dynamics

Abstract

Background and aimsPornography use has become increasingly common. Studies have shown that individuals who use sexually explicit materials (SEMs) report negative effects (Schneider, 2000b). However, Bridges (2008b) found that couples who use SEM together have higher relationship satisfaction than those who use SEM independently. A further investigation into various types of SEM use in relationships may highlight how SEM is related to various areas of couple satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of SEM use related to different relationship dynamics.MethodsThe current study included a college and Internet sample of 296 participants divided into groups based upon the SEM use in relationships (i.e., SEM alone, SEM use with partner, and no SEM use).ResultsThere were significant differences between groups in relationship satisfaction [F(2, 252) = 3.69, p = .026], intimacy [F(2, 252) = 7.95, p = <.001], and commitment [F(2, 252) = 5.30, p = .006]. Post-hoc analyses revealed additional differences in relationship satisfaction [t(174) = 2.13, p = .035] and intimacy [t(174) = 2.76, p = .006] based on the frequency of SEM use.DiscussionFurther exploration of the SEM use function in couples will provide greater understanding of its role in romantic relationships.

Pornography Consumption and Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

“…Body satisfaction is defined as participants' contentedness with their overall body or with specific body parts (e.g., Burnham, 2013;Peter & Valkenburg, 2014). The terms "relationship," "sexual," "body," and "self" in reference to satisfaction were often used in the studies meta-analyzed (e.g., Hill, 2011;Kvalem et al, 2015;Maddox, Rhoades, & Markman, 2011;Minarcik, 2010). However, the abbreviating title or phrase chosen for a variable by the authors of a study was not the deciding factor in whether or not results associated with it were included.…”

Pornography use and marital quality: Testing the moral incongruence hypothesis

“…There is a burgeoning research literature examining the connection between pornography use and heterosexual relationship outcomes (for reviews, see Campbell & Kohut, ; Manning, ; Newstrom & Harris, ; Rasmussen, ). Though there are some exceptions, studies have most consistently found that, on the whole, pornography use—either at all or in higher frequencies—is negatively associated with various measures of relationship quality for those in dating or marriage relationships, and particularly for men (e.g., Bridges & Morokoff, ; Doran & Price, ; Lambert, Negash, Stillman, Olmstead, & Fincham, ; Minarcik, Wetterneck, & Short, ; Morgan, ; Muusses, Kerkhof, & Finkenauer, ; Perry, , ; Perry & Davis, ; Poulsen, Busby, & Galovan, ; Stack, Wasserman, & Kern, ; Yucel & Gassanov, ). The exceptions to this trend are situations in which heterosexual couples are viewing pornography together rather than one partner (most often the man) viewing in isolation (Bridges & Morokoff, ; Maddox, Rhoades, & Markman, ; Minarcik et al, ; Poulsen et al, ).…”

Pornography Use and Marital Quality: Testing the Moral Incongruence Hypothesis

“…Though there are some exceptions, studies have most consistently found that, on the whole, pornography use-either at all or in higher frequencies-is negatively associated with various measures of relationship quality for those in dating or marriage relationships, and particularly for men (e.g., Bridges & Morokoff, 2011;Doran & Price, 2014;Lambert, Negash, Stillman, Olmstead, & Fincham, 2012;Minarcik, Wetterneck, & Short, 2016;Morgan, 2011;Muusses, Kerkhof, & Finkenauer, 2015;Perry, 2016Perry, , 2017aPerry & Davis, 2017;Poulsen, Busby, & Galovan, 2013;Stack, Wasserman, & Kern, 2004;Yucel & Gassanov, 2010). The exceptions to this trend are situations in which heterosexual couples are viewing pornography together rather than one partner (most often the man) viewing in isolation (e.g.…”

“…The exceptions to this trend are situations in which heterosexual couples are viewing pornography together rather than one partner (most often the man) viewing in isolation (e.g. Bridges & Morokoff, 2011;Maddox, Rhoades, & Markman, 2011;Minarcik et al, 2016;Poulsen et al, 2013). Coupled use of sexually explicit material, however, is far less common than solo use (Maddox et al, 2011), which would help explain why the overall association is negative (Doran & Price, 2014;Perry, 2016Perry, , 2017a.…”

“…Other theories propose there is nothing intrinsic to the content of pornography that negatively influences relationships. For example, one line of research suggests that the link between pornography use and relationship quality is largely due to discrepancies between men and women in their viewing practices and how this may shape the dynamic of the relationship (Maddox et al 2011;Minarcik et al, 2016;Poulsen et al, 2013;Staley & Prause, 2013;Willoughby, Carroll, Busby, & Brown, 2016). And still another line of research is premised on skepticism that pornography use is directly connected to committed relationship quality at all (e.g.…”