“Just lmk When You Want to Have Sex”: An Exploratory–Descriptive Qualitative Analysis of Sexting in Emerging Adult Couples

Author:

Montanaro Erika1ORCID,Temple Jasmine1ORCID,Ersoff Mia1,Jules Bridget1,Jaliawala Mariam2,Kinkopf Dara3,Webb Samantha4,Moxie Jessamyn2

Affiliation:

1. Department of Psychological Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA

2. Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA

3. Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA

4. Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA

Abstract

Background: An essential component of new relationship development is sexual communication between partners. The rise of technology has allowed couples to use text messaging to facilitate these conversations. The current study examines how emerging adults (18–25 years) in new relationships communicate about sex through text messages. Methods: We conducted inductive thematic analyses of text messages between different-gender couples in the first six months of their relationship (20 couples, N = 40) in which the women were between 18 and 25 years of age. We used the Dedoose qualitative analysis software and a coding team of 16 coders. Reliability was established through the “test” function of Dedoose, with codes of Kappas less than 0.70 discussed and refined in the codebook. Results: Primary themes of how couples communicate about sex emerged, which included the use of humor, discussing previous sexual experiences and partners, and sharing interests around future sexual encounters. During thematic analyses, secondary themes of motivations for sexual communication emerged, including learning, bonding, and enhancement. Conclusions: Addressing the varied motivations emerging adult couples may use in text messages can be leveraged for improving sexual health. Theories related to relationship development may not fully capture how couples discuss sex, particularly via text messages.

Funder

University of North Carolina Charlotte Faculty Research Grant

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

General Medicine

Reference112 articles.

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3. Interpreting teasing through texting: The role of emoji, initialisms, relationships, and rejection sensitivity in ambiguous SMS;Keane;Can. J. Behav. Sci./Rev. Can. Sci. Comport.,2022

4. Testing relationships between smartphone engagement, romantic partner communication, and relationship satisfaction;Lapierre;Mob. Media Commun.,2021

5. Text messaging and connectedness within close interpersonal relationships;Pettigrew;Marriage Fam. Rev.,2009

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