It’s Not What You Do, it’s Why: Motives and Outcomes of Technology-Mediated Sexual Interactions in Romantic Relationships

Technology-mediated sexual interactions (TMSIs) are interpersonal exchanges of self-created, sexual material via communication technology. We used the approach-avoidance motivational framework to assess the extent to which TMSI motives were associated with related outcomes. We aimed to (i) develop a construct-valid scale to measure people’s approach and avoidance TMSI motives with a romantic partner, and (ii) examine the extent to which people’s TMSI motives were associated with sexual, relational, and individual outcomes. In Study One, participants (N = 269) completed measures of TMSI motives and frequency, as well as online and in-person sexual satisfaction and dyadic sexual desire. The TMSI Motives Scale had three factors (approach, avoidance, affirmation). For measures of sexual satisfaction and desire, online and in-person items loaded on separate factors, suggesting in-person constructs are distinct from technology-mediated constructs. In Study Two, participants (N = 459) completed refined versions of Study One measures, as well as measures of relationship and life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling revealed that more frequent TMSI engagement was associated with greater use of both approach and avoidance motives. However, these motive types had divergent associations with outcomes. Approach motives were associated with stronger dyadic sexual desire and, in turn, higher sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction. Conversely, avoidance motives were associated with weaker dyadic sexual desire and, in turn, lower satisfaction across these domains. These results demonstrate the utility of the approach-avoidance framework in a technology-mediated context.