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.