Female Partners of Men Who Use Pornography: Are Honesty and Mutual Use Associated With Relationship Satisfaction?

Abstract

The authors discuss findings pertaining to male pornography use and female partners’ relationship satisfaction and distress. The authors investigated honesty regarding pornography use and mutual consumption between partners, along with honesty and mutual use as predictors of satisfaction. Female participants (N = 340) in committed relationships completed the Pornography Distress Scale and Couples Satisfaction Index online. Participants reporting more honesty showed higher satisfaction and lower levels of distress, and participants disclosing mutual use showed lower levels of distress, although no differences were reported in satisfaction. Honesty regarding pornography use significantly predicted relationship dissatisfaction. Directions for future research and counseling implications are discussed.