Bored stiff: The relationship between meaninglessness, sexual sensation seeking, and promiscuous attitudes via boredom susceptibility

Andrew B Moynihan,Eric R Igou,Wijnand A.P Van Tilburg

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110295

Andrew B Moynihan, Eric R Igou + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110295

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Abstract

We investigated the relationships between boredom susceptibility, perceived meaninglessness, and attitudes to sex among heterosexual and bisexual men. We propose that meaninglessness is associated with men's increased endorsement of sensational and uncommitted sex via boredom susceptibility. In Study 1, we found a significant indirect relationship consistent with our hypothesis. In Study 2, we replicated this finding in a larger sample. Further, we showed that using sex as a coping mechanism to deal with unpleasant affective states explained the relationship between boredom susceptibility and our sex composite. Specifically, meaninglessness in life was associated with increased boredom susceptibility. In turn, boredom susceptibility was associated with the use of sex as a coping mechanism, which ultimately was associated with increased endorsement of sexual sensation seeking and promiscuous attitudes. We discuss these findings in light of research on sexuality, boredom, and meaninglessness.

Highlights

We investigated the relationships between boredom susceptibility, perceived meaninglessness, and attitudes to sex among heterosexual and bisexual men
As sexual sensation seeking and promiscuous attitudes are significantly related to boredom (Gaither & Sellbom, 2003; Hoyle, Fejfar, & Miller, 2000; Simpson & Gangestad, 1991), we focus on men's interest in these forms of sex in our research
Consistent with the self-regulatory goals prompted by boredom (Mikulas & Vodanovich, 1993; Van Tilburg & Igou, 2012, 2017, 2019), we propose that boredom increases men's interest in hedonic forms sex, at least in part, and that this process is initiated by meaninglessness

Summary

Introduction

We investigated the relationships between boredom susceptibility, perceived meaninglessness, and attitudes to sex among heterosexual and bisexual men. Boredom susceptibility was associated with the use of sex as a coping mechanism, which was associated with increased endorsement of sexual sensation seeking and promiscuous attitudes. We discuss these findings in light of research on sexuality, boredom, and meaninglessness. Previous research using terror management theory (Greenberg, Pyszczynski, & Solomon, 1997), a perspective that investigates the impact of humans' ability to ponder their own mortality (i.e., an existential threat) on attitudes and behaviours, argues that people experience uneasiness about the physical aspects of sex when death is salient. Death reminders led to higher perceptions of commitment in romantic relationships (Florian, Mikulincer, & Hirschberger, 2002)

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