|
1
|
Courtice EL, Shaughnessy K. Motives for Technology-Mediated Sexual Interactions in Committed Romantic Relationships: Using the Approach-Avoidance Theoretical Framework in a Multi-Grounded Qualitative Examination. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2025; 54:1459-1479. [PMID: 40000542 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-025-03088-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 12/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025]
Abstract
Technology-mediated sexual interaction (TMSI) is a behavioral domain that captures all interpersonal exchanges of self-created, sexual material via technology (e.g., sexting, cybersex, phone sex). Most people report TMSI with romantic partners. Yet, few researchers have used motivational theory to examine people's motives for TMSI within this context. We conducted semi-structured, in-person interviews with 25 Canadian participants (15 cisgender women and 10 cisgender men; 18-40 years old; M age = 23.84, SD = 5.43), focused on their motivations for engaging in TMSIs with their current romantic partner(s). We used multi-grounded theory to analyze the transcribed interviews; this approach allows researchers to incorporate existing theories into qualitative results. First, we used a general inductive method to identify a variety of TMSI motives that participants discussed. Second, we used the approach-avoidance theoretical framework to organize and label motivational themes and categories. We identified four themes of approach and avoidance motives in participants' responses: self-, partner-, relationship-, and technology-focused motives. We also found that some participants reported motives against using TMSI. Some participants described their TMSI motives as connected to their outcomes: avoidance motives were described alongside negative TMSI experiences, and approach motives alongside positive experiences. We discuss implications for TMSI research and theory and demonstrate the benefits of theory-driven qualitative methods to improve future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Leigh Courtice
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 380 Victoria Street, Jorgenson Hall, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.
| | | |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Shaughnessy K, Fehr CJ, Ashley M, Braham J, Labelle PR, Ouimet AJ, Corsini-Munt S, Ashbaugh AR, Reissing ED. Technology-Mediated Sexual Interactions, Social Anxiety, and Sexual Wellbeing: A Scoping Review. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:904-932. [PMID: 36005215 PMCID: PMC9407275 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12080066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Technology-mediated sexual interactions (TMSI) are interpersonal exchanges via technology of self-created sexual material, including photos, videos, and auditory or text messages. There is little research on the factors that predict both TMSI experiences and their sexual wellbeing outcomes. Social anxiety is anxiety experienced in response to social or performance situations. From a cognitive-behavioural perspective, people higher in social anxiety may avoid TMSI, preventing positive or negative consequences. They also may use TMSI to avoid the anxiety caused by in-person sexual interactions, benefiting from access to sexual interactions while perpetuating anxiety about them. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the role of social anxiety in TMSI and its sexual wellbeing outcomes. We executed a comprehensive search strategy across eight academic databases and searched reference lists of included articles. We included 19 articles written in English or French that had a human sample and were published between 1991 and 2021 and evaluated connections between social anxiety constructs (e.g., shyness, anxiety) and TMSI-related experiences (e.g., sexting, internet sex addiction). The pattern of results suggested that social anxiety constructs may predict some but not all forms of TMSI. Future research from a cognitive-behavioural perspective will expand knowledge on social anxiety, TMSI, and its sexual wellbeing outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krystelle Shaughnessy
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Cassandra J. Fehr
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Marilyn Ashley
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Justine Braham
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Patrick R. Labelle
- Library, University of Ottawa, 120 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;
| | - Allison J. Ouimet
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Serena Corsini-Munt
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Andrea R. Ashbaugh
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| | - Elke D. Reissing
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A8, Canada; (C.J.F.); (M.A.); (J.B.); (A.J.O.); (S.C.-M.); (A.R.A.); (E.D.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Abstract
Despite over 10 years of research, we still know very little about people’s sexting behaviours and experiences. Our limited and, at times, conflicting knowledge about sexting is due to re-searchers’ use of inconsistent conceptual definitions of sexting, dubious measurement practices, and atheoretical research designs. In this article, we provide an overview of the history of sex-ting research and describe how researchers have contributed to the ‘moral panic’ narrative that continues to surround popular media discourse about sexting. We identify four key problems that still plague sexting research today: (1) imprudent focus on the medium, (2) inconsistent conceptual definitions, (3) poor measurement practices, and (4) a lack of theoretical frameworks. We describe and expand on solutions to address each of these problems. In particular, we focus on the need to shift empirical attention away from sexting and towards the behavioural domain of technology-mediated sexual interaction. We believe that the implementation of these solu-tions will lead to valid and sustainable knowledge development on technology-mediated sexual interactions, including sexting.
Collapse
|