Study: 'Sexting' boosts sexual, relationship satisfaction

MANILA, Philippines — Researchers from Drexel University’s Women’s Health Psychology Lab in Philadelphia discovered that "sexting" or sending sexually suggestive messages through phone is correlated with sexual and relationship satisfaction, especially among those who with a committed partner.

Emily Stasko, alongside other researchers surveyed  870 participants aged between 18 to 82, with a median of 35, (more than half composed of the women population) to assess their sexting behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Results showed that 87.8 percent of participants have sexted in their lifetime. Seventy-five percent said they sexted while in a committed relationship, while 43 percent did while in a casual relationship.

While the association between the behavior and reports of relationship satisfaction is not causal, three-quarters of them sent suggestive images to their partner and claimed to have better relationship satisfaction. 

"These findings show a robust relationship between sexting and sexual and relationship satisfaction,” Stasko stated in her work.

Another finding is that those who actually engage into "sexting" are people described as “fun and carefree." 

Stasko notes that despite the racy appeal, there are potential positive effects of open sexual communication with a partner like increasing intimacy or addressing communication problems. In generation like this, experts insist that "sexting" can help a modern-day relationship.

The study titled Reframing Sexting as a Positive Relationship Behavior was presented at the American Psychological Association’s 123rd Annual Convention in Toronto on Saturday.