Influences of Sociosexuality and Commitment on Online Sexual Activities: The Mediating Effect of Perceptions of Infidelity

Abstract

The perceived infidelity of online sexual activity (OSA) has been noted as an important factor contributing to individual differences in OSA among people in romantic relationships. We proposed that two major factors related to infidelity—sociosexuality (willingness to engage in uncommitted sexual relationships) and commitment—might be associated with engaging in OSA via the perceived infidelity of OSA among individuals in romantic relationships. OSAs were classified as viewing sexually explicit material, seeking sexual partners, cybersex, and flirting. Participants were 313 heterosexuals in romantic relationships who completed measures of OSA experience, sociosexuality, commitment, and perceptions of infidelity. The results showed that more unrestricted sociosexuality and less commitment were associated with more frequent engagement in OSAs. Moreover, perceptions of infidelity mediated these associations of sociosexuality and commitment with OSA. These findings suggest that perceived infidelity is important for understanding the mechanism underlying people’s engagement in OSA.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (SWU1709244).