Dissertation: An Examination of Sexual Fantasy And Infidelity

Haus, Katherine Rose, "AN EXAMINATION OF SEXUAL FANTASY AND INFIDELITY" (2020). Univ of Kentucky Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 77. https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2020.263

Abstract: Infidelity is a common behavior, influencing many people within romantic relationships (Mark & Haus, 2019). Many factors have been linked to increased infidelity engagement, but no studies exist documenting the role of sexual fantasy regarding infidelity. One such predictor of infidelity is need fulfillment, or the extent to which one’s needs are fulfilled in their relationship (Le & Agnew, 2001). Sexual fantasy is a highly common, but largely understudied sexual behavior (Lehmiller, 2018). Therefore, the aims of the current study were: 1) to document the role that sexual fantasy and need fulfillment play in infidelity, 2) to determine any potential gender differences in sexual fantasy themes and 3) to determine whether any particular type of sexual fantasy predicted infidelity. Thus, 1,062 adults in romantic relationships were recruited through a combination of social media (n = 265) and the social networking site Ashley Madison® (n = 797) to take part in an online survey. Participants provided their demographics and completed the Wilson Sexual Fantasy Questionnaire (SFQ; Wilson, 2010), the Infidelity Intentions scale (Jones et al., 2010), and a Needs-Fulfillment Measure (Le & Agnew, 2001). An independent samples t-test indicated significant gender differences in type of fantasy such that women fantasized more so than did men about sadomasochistic fantasies, but men fantasized more than did women about intimate, exploratory, and impersonal sexual fantasies. Hierarchical multivariate regression indicated lower levels of need fulfillment to be predictive of higher levels of infidelity intentions among women and men, and higher frequency of sexual fantasy to be predictive of higher levels of infidelity intentions among men. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated exploratory fantasy to be the most salient predictor of infidelity engagement, but was only significant among women, such that women who fantasized more frequently about exploratory fantasies were less likely to engage in physical infidelity. The findings of this study contribute to what is known about sexual fantasy and indicate that it may have a more salient role in infidelity intentions and engagement than previously thought.

1. Having sexual intercourse out of doors in a romantic setting (e.g. field of flowers, beach at night)
2. Having intercourse with a loved partner
3. Intercourse with someone you know but have not had sex with
4. Intercourse with an anonymous stranger
5. Sex with two other people
6. Participating in an orgy
7. Being forced to do something
8. Forcing someone to do something
9. Same-sex sexual behavior
10. Receiving oral sex
11. Giving oral sex
12. Watching others have sex
13. Sex with an animal
14. Whipping or spanking someone
15. Being whipped or spanked
16. Taking someone's clothes off
17. Having your clothes taken off
18. Having sex somewhere other than the bedroom
19. Being excited by material or clothing (e.g. rubber, leather, underwear)
20. Hurting a partner
21. Being hurt by a partner
22. Partner-swapping
23. Being aroused by watching someone urinate
24. Being tied up
25. Tying someone up
26. Having incestuous sexual relationships
27. Exposing yourself
28. Being promiscuous
29 Having sex with someone much younger than yourself
30. Having sex with someone much older than yourself
31. Being much sought after by the opposite sex
32. Being seduced as an "innocent"
33. Seducing an "innocent"
34. Being embarrassed by failure of sexual performance
35. Using objects for stimulation (e.g. vibrators, candles)
36. Being masturbated to orgasm by a partner
37. Looking at obscene pictures or films
38. Kissing Passionately