A Historical and Empirical Review of Pornography and Romantic Relationships: Implications for Family Researchers

AUTHOR(S)

Rasmussen, Kyler

PUBLISHED

2016 in Journal of Family Theory & Review, Vol. 8(2), pp. 173-191

KEY FINDINGS
  • This review article found that dozens of studies have shown that that pornography can reduce relationship satisfaction.
  • This review article found that multiple studies have shown that pornography use reduces couple commitment.
  • Pornography was found to increase the acceptance of infidelity.
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Differences in Pornography Use Among Couples: Associations with Satisfaction, Stability, and Relationship Processes

AUTHOR(S)

Willoughby, Brian J.; Carroll, Jason S.; Busby, Dean M.; and Brown, Cameron C.

PUBLISHED

2016 in Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 45(1), pp. 145-158

KEY FINDINGS
  • This study found that patterns where one romantic partner uses porn and the other doesn't results in less relationship satisfaction.
  • The use of pornography was linked to reduced relationship stability.
  • Pornography use was found to be associated with lower sexual desire in couple relationships.
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Internet Pornography and Relationship Quality: A Longitudinal Study of Within and Between Partner Effects of Adjustment, Sexual Satisfaction and Sexually Explicit internet Material Among Newly-weds

AUTHOR(S)

Muusses, Linda D.; Kerkhof, Peter; and Finkenauer, Catrin

PUBLISHED

2015 in Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 45, pp. 77-84

KEY FINDINGS
  • This longitudinal study found links between pornography use and diminished sexual satisfaction.
  • Analyses also found negative links between pornography use and relationship satisfaction.
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Korean Men’s Pornography use, Their Interest in Extreme Pornography, and Dyadic Sexual Relationships

AUTHOR(S)

Sun, Chyng F.; Miezan, Ekra; Lee, Na-Young; and Shim, Jae Woong

PUBLISHED

2015 in International Journal of Sexual Health

KEY FINDINGS
  • This study found that many porn consumers prefer the arousal of porn to real-life sexual experiences, and that porn consumers are more likely to role-play porn scenes with their partners.
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Psychological, Relational, and Sexual Correlates of Pornography Use on Young Adult Heterosexual Men in Romantic Relationships

AUTHOR(S)

Szymanski, Dawn M.; and Stewart-Richardson, Destin N.

PUBLISHED

2014 in The Journal of Men's Health, Vol. 22(1), pp. 64-82

KEY FINDINGS
  • This study found that both frequency of pornography use and problematic pornography use were related to greater couple conflict.
  • Problematic pornography use lead to poorer relationship quality
  • Pornography use is associated with less sexual satisfaction.
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Young Adult Women’s Reports of Their Male Romantic Partner’s Pornography Use as a Correlate of Their Self-Esteem, Relationship Quality, and Sexual Satisfaction

AUTHOR(S)

Stewart, Destin N.; and Szymanski, Dawn M.

PUBLISHED

2012 in Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, Vol. 67(5-6), pp. 257-271

KEY FINDINGS
  • This study found that women’s reports of their male partner’s frequency of pornography use were negatively associated with their relationship quality.
  • Female partners' perceptions of their partner's problematic use of pornography was negatively correlated with their own self-esteem.
  • This study also found that pornography was associated with lower sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, and sexual satisfaction.
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Viewing Sexually-Explicit Materials Alone or Together: Associations with Relationship Quality

AUTHOR(S)

Maddox, Amanda M.; Rhoades, Galena K.; and Markman, Howard J.

PUBLISHED

2011 in Archives of Sexual Behavior

KEY FINDINGS
  • This study indicates that those who never view pornography report higher relationship quality on every measure than those who view pornography alone. Couples who watch pornography together also reported higher relationship quality than those who view pornography alone, yet they also report higher rates of infidelity.
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