University of North Dakota UND Scholarly Commons Theses and Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects 12-2006 Patterns Of Relationship Satisfaction And Sexual Behavior As A Function Of Pornography Use Among College Men Joel David Deloy Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.und.edu/theses Part of the Psychiatry and Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Deloy, Joel David, "Patterns Of Relationship Satisfaction And Sexual Behavior As A Function Of Pornography Use Among College Men" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 2532. https://commons.und.edu/theses/2532 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects at UND Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UND Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PATTERNS OF RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AS A FUNCTION OF PORNOGRAPHY USE AMONG COLLEGE MEN By Joel David Deloy Bachelor of Science, Black Hills State University, 1999 Master of Arts, University of North Dakota, 2003 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of North Dakota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Grand Forks, North Dakota December 2006 This dissertation, submitted by Joel D. Deloy in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of North Dakota, has been read by the Faculty Advisory Committee under whom the work has been done and is hereby approved. QJ...,.._ l (_ . This dissertation meets the standards for appearance, conforms to the style and format requirements of the Graduate School of the University of North Dakota, and is hereby approved. Date ii PERMISSION Title Patterns of Relationship Satisfaction and Sexual Behavior as a Function of Pornography Use Among College Men Department Clinical Psychology Degree Doctor of Philosophy In presenting this dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree from the University of North Dakota, I agree that the library of this University shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor who supervised my dissertation work or, in her absence, by the chairperson of the department or the dean of the Graduate School. It is understood that any copying or publication or other use of this dissertation or part thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of North Dakota in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my dissertation. Sig~cfd~ Date 1/g?/obI , iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. viii ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ Definition.................................................................................... 3 Theories of Pornography and Aggression...................................................................... 5 Social Learning Theory ....................................................................................... 7 Correlation Studies................................................................... I 0 Laboratory Studies ....................................................... 13 Relationship Satisfaction ............................................... 18 Current Study ............................................................. 26 II. METHOD....................................................................................................... 29 Participants ................................................................................... 29 Measures ...................................................................................... 29 Dependent Variables.................................................................... 29 Predictor Variables....................................................................... 31 iv Procedure ................................................................................. 32 Design and Analysis.................................................................... 32 III. RESULTS ................................................................................................ 35 Sample Description ...................................................................... 35 Preliminary Distribution Analyses .................................................................................. 35 SEM Use Patterns ....................................................................... 36 SEM User vs. Non-User Comparisons ................................................................ 39 Self-Reported Outcomes of Erotic Material Use .................................. : .............................. 40 Regression Analyses.................................................................... 47 IV. DISCUSSION .......................................................................................... 54 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 64 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 85 V LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page I. SEM Hours X SEM Shared Interaction ......................................................... 50 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. Erotic Material Use Questionnaire Means (SD) for SEM Users (n = 148) ............ , ............................................................. 36 2. SEM User Versus Non-User Comparisons .......................................................... 37 3. Self-Reported Consequences of SEM Use Among SEM Users (n = 148) .............................................................................. 40 4. Bivariate Correlations Between SEM Use and Relationship Variables for the Total Sample ............. ,,,,, ............. ,,, ........... ,............ 42 5. Bivariate Correlations Between SEM Use and Relationship Variables for SEM Non-Users (n = 97) ............................................................... 43 6. Bivariate Correlations Between SEM Use and Relationship Variables for SEM Users (n = 148) ........................................... , ......... 44 7. Bivariate Correlations Between SEM Use and Self-Reported Consequences of SEM Use for SEM Users (n = 148) ............................... 45 8. Summary of Regression Analysis for Variables Predicting Relationship Satisfaction for All Participants (N = 245)............................ 47 9. Summary of Regression Analysis for Variables Predicting Relationship Satisfaction for SEM Users (n = 148) .................................. 49 IO. Summary of Regression Analysis for Variables Predicting Sexual Activity Frequency for All Participants (N = 245) .......................... 51 1 I. Summary of Regression Analysis for Variables Predicting Sexual Activity Frequency for SEM Users (148).................................... 52 vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to recognize those whose contribution made this study possible, First, I am thankful for my chair, Dr. Alan King, and his prompt support, and guidance. Second, I appreciate the advice and technical expertise of my committee members Dr. Jeff Holm, Dr, Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm, Dr. Rick Ferraro, and Dr. Tom Petros; their input increased the clarity and quality of this study. Third, I thank Peter Schmutzer for his timely aid in data collection, and Jessica White Plume for her steadfast belief in me, support, and guidance throughout this project. viii ABSTRACT Recent research on sexually explicit materials (SEM), or pornography, has expanded from a focus on sexual violence, and aggression, towards the examination of the influence of SEM on other relationship factors. Available information on how males involved in a romantic relationship use SEM has been limited, and the effect of SEM use on relationship satisfaction and sexual behavior is not well understood. This study examined 245 college men who completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, core relationship variables (autonomy, affection, conflict resolution, intimacy, and equality) and SEM use patterns. All participants were in significant romantic relationships of at least three months duration. As predicted, SEM use was found to be common (60%) and associated with decreased relationship satisfaction even after the application of statistical controls for other core relationship influences. Shared SEM use with the romantic partner partially mitigated, but failed to reverse, this adverse relationship between SEM usage and relationship satisfaction. SEM use was associated with reports of a higher frequency of sexual relations with the romantic partner. SEM use may be detrimental as a result of unfulfilled partner sexual expectations as well as fantasies involving others and increased infidelity. Further research is required