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2015 Abstracts

I Want You to Want Me: The Effects of Adult Attachment and Partner’s Pornography Use on Relationship Satisfaction

Lyndsey Craig, Christy Fiscer, RonJai Staton, Michelle Hammon, Justin Nuckels, Tina Boren,
and Zac Olson, Dixie State University

Humanities

Although pornography use is popular among both men and women, a partner’s pornography viewing habits may negatively impact relationship satisfaction. Most research on partners’ pornography use and relationship satisfaction does not consider attachment representations. Attachment anxiety and avoidance tend to correlate negatively with relationship satisfaction. An individual’s pornography use may decrease their partner’s self- worth, which may decrease relationship satisfaction and happiness. Because an individual with attachment anxiety or avoidance may feel more insecure in their body image and may have lower self-esteem, their partner’s use of pornographic material may exacerbate their feelings of insecurity and influence a decrease in relationship satisfaction. The current study examines perceptions of and attitudes about partners’ pornography use, attachment representations, and relationship satisfaction through an online survey distributed throughout Utah. Participants are required to be 18 years of age or older. We expect to find attachment anxiety and avoidance negatively correlating with relationship satisfaction and perceptions and attitudes about partners’ pornography use. The results of this study may indicate the importance of attachment representations for understanding the implications of pornography use in intimate relationships.