Socialization & Relationship Outcomes

Open Access: Yes.

Abstract

Little is known about the role of subjective sexual arousal within romantic relationships. The current paper addresses this limitation using a prospective study design that investigates the direct  associations between subjective sexual arousal induced by a romantic partner (partner arousal) and arousal induced by pornography (porn arousal) on changes in relational outcomes. A total of 309 participants who were in a current romantic relationship completed measures of partner and porn arousal as well as relational outcomes (i.e., sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and  stability) at baseline (T1) and completed a second assessment of relational outcomes 2 months later (T2). Partner arousal was found to have no significant associations with changes in relational outcomes; however, porn arousal was associated with significant declines in sexual satisfaction and relationship quality and stability over a 2-month period. This paper is the first to examine how  feeling sexually aroused by porn may impact relational outcomes for those in romantic relationships.

Relevance

The use of pornography is “associated with declines” in sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, and relationship stability.

Even for those who report high relationships well-being, “porn use is associated with negative relational outcomes.”

Citation

Lawless, N. J., & Karantzas, G. C. (2024). Porn or Partner Arousal? When It Comes to Romantic Relationships, Not All Sexual Arousal Is Equal: A Prospective Study. Archives of sexual behavior, 53(9), 3451–3460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02985-4