The Role of Internet Pornography Use and Cyber Infidelity in the Associations between Personality, Attachment, and Couple and Sexual Satisfaction

Abstract

Although adults in romantic relationships currently show more openness to online sexual behaviors [1], these behaviors can nevertheless increase couple conflicts and instability [2]. In the current study, we assess the mediating role of Internet pornography use and cyber infidelity in the relationship between 1) personality and attachment, and 2) couple and sexual satisfaction. A total of 779 participants in couple relationships (average age = 29.9 years) completed a series of online questionnaires. According to their responses, 65% of participants visited an adult site at least once during the six months preceding the study, while 16.3% did so multiple times per week. Path model results showed that Internet pornography use and cyber infidelity were sequential mediators between, on the one hand, personality and attachment, and on the other hand, couple and sexual satisfaction. The discussion highlights the importance of properly documenting the correlates of online sexual behavior to better understand new couple realities and dynamics.

The Role of Discrepancies Between Online Pornography Created Ideals and Actual Sexual Relationships in Heterosexual Men’s Sexual Satisfaction and Well-Being

“…While larger discrepancies were related to lower sexual satisfaction and lower general well-being (lower self-esteem, lower life satisfaction, and increased negative affect), higher SEIM consumption was not directly associated with sexual satisfaction, although the latter remains important in explaining the negative relationship between IASD and general well-being. This lack of connection is rarely reported but has been noted in two studies (Brown, Carroll, et al, 2017; Ferron et al, 2017). These studies shared a similar sample (men in their 30s) and design with this study, as both focused on the associations of SEIM consumption in the context of intimate relationships.…”

“…Sexually explicit Internet material (SEIM), also known as online pornography, has been widely consumed by individuals for purposes including solitary sexual pleasure (Morgan, 2011; Brown, Durtschi, et al, 2017), attempts to enhance sexual communication (Kohut et al, 2017), and to assess the quality of their sex lives (Cooper et al, 1999; Wright et al, 2018). The rise in popularity of SEIM has prompted researchers to examine its impact on sexual and relational well-being (Ferron et al, 2017; Szymanski & Stewart-Richardson, 2014; Willoughby et al, 2016). Scholars have become increasingly interested in understanding why and how such consumption influences users (Štulhofer et al, 2007; Wright, Sun, et al, 2019).…”

Pornography and Sexual Behavior: Do Sexual Attitudes Mediate or Confound?

“…As another example, Gwinn, Lambert, Fincham, and Maner (2013) found that earlier pornography consumption was associated with later extradyadic sexual activity among a sample of male and female college students in the United States. As another example, Ferron, Lussier, Sabourin, and Brassard (2017) surveyed Canadian men and women and found that the use of pornography was correlated with having engaged in cybersex outside of their committed relationship. As another example, Daneback, Traeen, and Mansson (2009) found that pornography consumption was associated with having had extradyadic sexual encounters in their survey of Norwegian men and women.…”

“…Willoughby et al (2014) controlled for demographic (e.g., age, ethnicity) and personality (e.g., impulsivity) factors in their study of pornography use and sexual partners but did not control for sexual attitudes. Ferron et al (2017) adjusted for attachment-styles (avoidance, anxiety) in their study of pornography consumption and cyberinfidelity but did not adjust for sexual attitudes. Mahapatra and Saggurti (2014) controlled for sociodemographic (e.g., education, age) factors in their study of pornography use and extramarital sex but did not consider the potential confounding role of sexual attitudes.…”

The Necessity of Couple Education Regarding the Impact of Online Infidelity on Romantic Relationships

“…Studies by Abdi, Khoshkonesh, Porebrahim & Mohammadi (2012) and McDaniel et al (2017) state that unfaithful partners have an avoidant or anxious attachment rather than a secure one. Ferron, Lussier, Sabourin & Brassard (2016) explain how activation of the attachment system is associated with the desire for emotional and sexual experiences in the online environment, which satisfy the need for love that anxious individuals have.…”