Wired Valentines and Webs of Love: An Examination of People’s Attitudes and their Intentions to Use the Net to Form Romantic Relationships

This research explored college students’ attitudes toward online romantic relationships and their intentions to develop this type of relationship. Borrowing elements from both social cognitive theory and the theory of reasoned action, this study introduced a model that combined perceptions of indirect past experiences, beliefs, attitudes and social norms and associations with people’s intentions to form romantic relationships over the Internet. Under the premise that people learn through observation, this study argued that when direct experience is lacking (as was the case with this sample), other sources of indirect experiences with online romantic relationships (perceptions of significant others’ past experiences and exposure to media messages about online romantic relationships) would relate to people’s beliefs about these relationships and their perceptions of what significant others think (social norms). Based on the theory of reasoned action, it was hypothesized that people’s beliefs about online relationships would then be related to their attitudes toward such relationships. Lastly, also under the framework of reasoned action, it was hypothesized that both attitudes and social norms would predict people’s intentions to form or develop romantic relationships over the Internet. The purpose of this study was thus to examine how well predictors from social cognitive theory and the theory of reasoned action explained intentions to form online romantic relationships. A pilot study was conducted to derive beliefs and attitudes toward online romantic relationships and to test the main instrument. In the main study, 226 college students with no prior direct experience forming online romantic relationships completed a web-based self-administered questionnaire. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to assess the relative importance and the strength among the different constructs. Results indicated that the overall model fit the data well. The final model accounted for 46% of the variance in people’s intentions to form online romantic relationships. Perceptions of friends’ and family’s past experiences with online romantic relationships were significantly related to people’s beliefs about these relationships. However, only friends’ past experiences was related to social norms. Exposure to media (news stories or ads about dating sites) was not related to either beliefs or social norms. Consistent with the theory of reasoned action, beliefs were strongly correlated with attitudes about online romantic relationships, and lastly, both attitudes and social norms emerged as instrumental factors in predicting participants’ intention to develop online romantic relationships. Overall, the findings confirmed the importance of integrating indirect past experiences in understanding people’s attitudes and intentions to form romantic relationships over the Internet. The theoretical and methodological implications of these results for the study and understanding of online romantic relationships are discussed

Sexting scripts in adolescent relationships : is sexting becoming the norm?

This study offers empirical insight into adolescents’ norms around sexting. Informed by sexual scripting theory, we investigated the extent to which young people perceive sexting as being a likely behavior in the context of a romantic relationship (the “sexting script”). A distinction is made between what adolescents find likely among same-aged peers (the general sexting script) versus what they find likely in their personal situation (the personal sexting script). Data were gathered through questionnaires from adolescents aged 13–18 years ( N = 357, 45% male). The results show that sexting scripts are gendered and that adolescents perceive sexting as being more likely to occur among peers than in their personal situation. The personal sexting script is related to the general sexting script, sexual experiences, and the use of online pornography. The results of the study are useful for the design of sexting education and sensitization messages toward youth. </jats:p

Cultivation Effects of Female-Oriented Dating Sims: Players’ Parasocial Relationships, Gender Attitudes, and Romantic Beliefs in China

This study tests cultivation effects of female-oriented dating simulation games on players’ gender attitudes and romantic beliefs. Additionally, the study investigates mediating effects of parasocial relationship, and conditional effects of relationship status. A survey in China with a sample size of 284 participants is utilized to test the hypotheses. This study found that game exposure relates to both parasocial relationships with game avatars and targeted characters. Game exposure also positively relates to equal gender attitudes and romantic beliefs. In addition, there are strong relationships between parasocial relationships and romantic beliefs

Conversations About Sexuality On A Public University Campus: Exploring Perspectives From Campus Ministry Leaders And Students

Since the 1800s, religious organizations have been a presence on public universities. However, there is limited research on the influence these organizations may have on student health communication and behaviors. Prior research on campus ministries has focused primarily on the culture of individual organizations. In this study, researchers explored the goals and experiences of USC leaders related to communication around sexuality with their students, as well as student perceptions of these messages, and how students incorporate religious messages about sexuality into their lives. The present study had four aims: 1. Assess whether students participating in campus ministries at USC differ from other students in safe sex knowledge and behaviors.2. Explore students’ responses to and utilization of messages about sexual health disseminated by campus faith organizations.3. Describe the ways in which campus ministry leaders approach sexual health topics and messages with students.4. Compare the perceptions of sexual health messages among students who participate in faith organizations to the campus ministry leaders’ intentions regarding sexual health messaging. Data were collected through online surveys with undergraduate students, both participants and nonparticipants in student religious organizations; in-person semi-structured interviews with campus ministry leaders; and focus groups with campus ministry students. Survey findings indicated students who participated in student religious organizations had similar levels of sex education knowledge, sexual decision making skills, and comfort talking about sex as their nonparticipant peers; however, they reported a significantly lower mean number of sexual partners in the past year (1.2 vs 2.5, p=0.018). Additionally, students who participated in student religious organizations were significantly more likely than their nonparticipant peers to identify religious organizations (odds ratio=5.54, p=0.008) and medical professionals and educators (odds ratio= 3.37, p=0.021) as their primary sources of information about romantic relationships. In surveys, focus groups, and interviews, both students and campus ministry leaders stated that discussions of sexuality in campus ministry settings can be uncomfortable and should be approached with caution. In interviews and focus groups campus ministry leaders and students emphasized that established personal relationships facilitated discussions of sexuality. Discussions of sexuality in campus ministries were often driven by events in the lives of campus ministry students and leaders. Campus ministry leaders expressed their care for students and the desire to support students\u27 spiritual development and overall wellness. Ministry leaders reported helping student navigate social relationships and facilitating access to other resources at the university and in the surrounding community. They connected to students by creating safe spaces, sharing personal stories, and taking advantage of opportunities for conversation created by scripture reading or student interests. A major challenge these campus ministry leaders reported was the difficulty in navigating the services and resources of a large university, given their lack of official university affiliation

Associations Between Watching Korean Dramas and Single Vienamese Women's Relationship Satisfaction and Commitment: An Interpretation Using Cultivation Theory.

M.A. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2017

Romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization in Spanish adolescents: A moderated mediation model.

Adolescents' beliefs in romantic myths of love have been related to cyber dating violence victimization. However, these relationships could be mediated by adolescents' tolerant attitudes toward dating abuse and be different for adolescent boys and girls. A better understanding of these relationships is important for developing more effective prevention programs. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the relationships between beliefs in romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization in adolescents, analyzing the possible mediating role of tolerant attitudes toward abuse and the possible moderator role of gender. Participants were 467 Spanish adolescents who had a romantic relationship (54.4% girls; M age = 15.09). Results showed positive significant direct and indirect relationships, through tolerant attitudes toward abuse, between beliefs in romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization. Gender was not a moderator variable in the direct relationships, but its moderator role was supported in the indirect relationships. Stronger positive links between romantic myths and tolerant attitudes toward abuse, and between tolerant attitudes and cybercontrol victimization, were found in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the need to consider tolerant attitudes toward abuse in intervention programs designed to prevent cyber dating violence victimization in adolescents and continue to analyze gender differences in variables related to cyber dating violence victimization

Sexting and the Application of the Social Exchange Theory

Sexting, the action of sending or receiving sexually explicit text, photographs, or video messages through cell phones or other electronic devices (Renfrow & Rollo, 2014), has become a frequently used means of sexual communication and exploration among adolescent/young adults (Walrave et al., 2015). To date, media has emphasized the risk of possible social and psychological consequences (Zhang, 2010), while limiting the discussion of possible benefits of sexting such as providing a safe method of expressing sexuality, with no risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Lee et al., 2013; Shafron-Perez, 2009). The current study applied the social exchange theory (SET), a social-psychological perspective that suggests all social interactions between individuals occur through negotiations of rewards and costs (Laursen & Jensen-Campbell, 1999; Thibaut & Kelley, 1965), to reports of sexting behaviours of young adults. Participants completed a series of measures that tapped into the constructs of sexting attitudes and behaviours, sexual and relationship satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, attachment, and patterns of sexual self-disclosure. It was predicted that perceived rewards minus costs of sexting with a current partner, sexting frequency, and sexual self-esteem would predict sexual self- disclosure (Hypothesis 2.b). It was also predicted that SET would provide a suitable framework for examining young adults’ relationship and sexual satisfaction, in that reports of sexual self- disclosure during sexting would predict relationship and sexual satisfaction (Hypotheses 3.a and 3.b). A linear regression analysis provided support for Hypothesis 2.b, suggesting that SET provides a suitable framework for examining young adults’ perceptions of rewards and costs associated with sexual self-disclosure during sexting. In addition, Hypotheses 3.b was also supported, where sexual self-disclosure predicted sexual satisfaction. However, Hypothesis 3.a was not supported, and suggested that sexting behaviours, perceptions of sexting, or sexual self- disclosure during sexting do not predict relationship satisfaction. Therefore, partial support for the application of SET in understanding how sexting may be related to relationship and sexual satisfaction in young adults was found. Future research is needed to examine sexting and sexual satisfaction with all aspects of SET, which would extend the understanding of the relationship of rewards and costs of sexting and sexual satisfaction

The Cultural Adaptation of Internet Dating: Attitudes towards Online Relationship Formation

This study explores the social approval of internet dating through the ranking of vignette scenarios. The scenarios are manipulated by the conditions of face-to-face interaction, presence of mutual acquaintance, and use of internet technology. Measures of legitimacy, predicted longevity, and social perception test for changes in attitudes of the varied ways in which a hypothetical couple meets. One of seven randomly distributed scenarios was ranked by a total of 346 undergraduates to disentangle the above conditions and test for an effect on social approval. Situated in the framework of cultural adaptation, script theory and the saturated self, support is found for low cultural approval of internet dating. Conditions of face-to-face interaction, issues of trust, and affinity to the internet demonstrate clear effects on the approval of relationships formed through internet dating

The Effect of Existential Concerns on Evaluations of Dating Websites

Previous research has indicated that death-related anxieties are the ultimate threat to the human psyche. In an effort to manage these concerns, individuals tend to turn to their romantic relationships. The present research sought to determine how mortality salience (i.e., death awareness) influences the effectiveness of an advertisement and the desirability of dating websites. A fake dating website was created with four different slogans. The first included an overt death-reminder, the second included a subtle death-reminder, the third included a loneliness reminder, and the fourth condition did not include any psychological threats. Participants were randomly assigned to visit a website containing one of the four slogans and were then asked to evaluate the website’s appeal. Results showed that participants in the subtle death-reminder condition found the website more appealing and had a greater desire for membership than those in the overt death-reminder and loneliness reminder conditions. This current study indicates that mortality salience, if applied discretely, may be an effective advertising tool for businesses purveying dating services

Exploring the Relationships Between Pornography Consumption, Relationship Satisfaction, Relationship Beliefs, and Masculinity

Pornography is widely available and consumed in the United States and worldwide. Despite pornography’s wide spread use and expansions since the advent of the Internet, the psychosocial problems related to its use are not fully delineated. Previous studies have explored the relationship between pornography consumption and psychosocial variables such as sexual and physical violence against women, misogynistic beliefs, sexual callousness, acceptance of rape myths, and other problematic sexual beliefs and behaviors. Fewer studies have explored pornography use and its impact on relationship variables such as relationship satisfaction and beliefs about relational constructs such as intimacy, passion, and equality/independence. Furthermore, there are limited studies on how pornography consumption relates to constructs such as masculinity and body satisfaction among male users. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between these constructs, as well as further delineate pornography consumption by examining frequency, duration, method, subgenre, and perceived harm. One hundred fifty-six males were recruited from various northeastern universities and through online advertisements. Results demonstrated a significant negative relationship between pornography consumption and relationship satisfaction. Alternatively, body dissatisfaction and masculinity did not relate to pornography use or relationship satisfaction. Exploratory analysis indicated that pornography consumption was not related to perceived harm or opinions about intimacy, passion, or equality/independence. Research and clinical implications of the findings and future directions are discussed