Communicating new sexual desires and the factors that influence message directness

Abstract

When fantasies and desires go unfulfilled, people may become bored with their sexual relationship. To help prevent this potential infidelity provoking issue, the current study examined patterns of communication to introduce new sexual behaviors to established sexual relationships. Study 1 identified and categorized communication message strategies used by participants’ responses to an open-ended question (N = 102). We found that although participants used indirect language most, a significant number of individuals were direct with their initiation strategies. Study 2 examined the associations between relational and sexual factors (intimacy, uncertainty, number of sexual partners, biological sex, and sexual communication) and message directness (N = 213). Survey results show that sex, uncertainty, and intimacy were correlated with level of directness for introducing a new sexual behavior (p < .05). Results are consistent with the relational turbulence model showing that at moderate levels of intimacy and high uncertainty, people use indirect communication.

Keywords:

• intimacy
• sexual strategies
• communication
• established relationship
• compliance-gaining
• sex

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shawna Harris

Shawna Harris received her PhD in communication studies from University of Georgia and currently is an assistant professor at Missouri Western State University.

Jennifer L. Monahan

Jennifer L. Monahan (PhD University of Southern California) is a professor of communication at the University of Georgia where she is also a fellow in the Institute of Behavioral Research.

Shelly R. Hovick

Shelly R. Hovick is an assistant professor in the School of Communication at The Ohio State University.