| Millennials (or Generation Y) have recently become the largest U.S. generation and have surpassed their previous generation (Generation X) in the workforce, making them the largest share of the U.S. workforce (Pew Research Center, 2015). Millennials are the first generation to have grown up with instant communication technology and social media being a common and large part of their lives. The advent of text messaging and instant messenger has allowed for couples to be in communication with each other continuously throughout the day and has brought up a new phenomenon termed sexting. Sexting is the act of sending or receiving sexually explicit messages (usually through text messaging or instant messaging) in the form of pictures, videos, or written text (Burkett, 2015). Previous relationship communication literature has found significant positive correlations between sexual communication and relationship satisfaction (Green & Faulkner, 2005; Montesi, Fauber, Gordon, & Heimber, 2010). The purpose of this study was to examine the communication dynamics of heterosexual romantic partners through instant communication technology, and whether technology platforms are associated with relationship satisfaction. Type, frequency and satisfaction with sexting was also examined. Results showed that sexual relationship communication was not correlated with relationship satisfaction. Comfort communicating sexual likes and comfort communicating sexual boundaries were found to be significant predictors of relationship satisfaction, however sexting was not a moderator in any model. Recommendations for future studies are provided. |
