Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Date Available
7-1-2021
Year of Publication
2021
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Family Sciences (MSFS)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Family Sciences
Faculty
Dr. Jason Hans
Faculty
Dr. Hyungsoo Kim
Abstract
Little is known about the impact of distance on sexual expression and self-confidence in long-distance relationships, especially as mediated by technology. The purpose of the present study is to investigate how sexual expression and self-confidence vary in romantic relationships between those in long- versus short-distance relationships. Data from 327 participants—156 in long-distance relationships and 171 in short-distance relationships—were collected via Amazon MTurk. Results indicate that forms of technology-mediated sexual expression are widely used in long-distance relationships. Technology-mediated sexual expression is positively associated with sexual satisfaction in both long- and short-distance relationships; however, technology-mediated sexual expression was not statistically associated with self-confidence, and self-confidence was negatively predictive of self-uncertainty and partner uncertainty, and self-uncertainty and partner uncertainty was positively predictive of relational uncertainty. These results indicate that technology is an important tool that can be utilized for sexual expression in long-distance relationships, but the negative association of its use with self-confidence needs to be better understood.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.234
Funding Information
This study was supported by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Richards Graduate Student Research Award and John I & Patricia J Buster Fellowship in 2020.
Recommended Citation
Kidwell, Morgann, "Sexual Expression and Self-Confidence in Long-Distance Relationships" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences. 93.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/93
