The effects of sexually explicit material use on romantic relationship dynamics.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational study comparing groups based on self-reported behavior
PubMed 27784182 · doi:10.1556/2006.5.2016.078
What was done
A sample of 296 participants recruited from a college and the internet were categorized into three groups based on their sexually explicit material (SEM) consumption: using SEM alone, using SEM with a romantic partner, or no SEM use. The study compared these groups across relationship satisfaction, intimacy, and commitment, with post-hoc analyses evaluating the role of SEM use frequency.
What was found
Significant differences were observed among the three groups for: - Relationship satisfaction: F(2, 252) = 3.69, p = .026 - Intimacy: F(2, 252) = 7.95, p < .001 - Commitment: F(2, 252) = 5.30, p = .006 Post-hoc analyses revealed differences based on frequency of SEM use for relationship satisfaction (t(174) = 2.13, p = .035) and intimacy (t(174) = 2.76, p = .006). The abstract does not report group means, standard deviations, effect sizes, or the direction of these effects.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that the relational context of pornography consumption—whether consumed alone, together, or avoided—correlates with differences in relationship quality and intimacy.
Limits
The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality or directionality between SEM use and relationship functioning. The convenience sample of college students and internet users limits generalizability. Data rely entirely on self-report, and the abstract omits group means, directionality, effect sizes, and control of key confounders like relationship duration or baseline relationship satisfaction.
Cited by
- supports Couples who watch pornography together report higher levels of relationship satisfaction.