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Behavioral Sciences
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Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships
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Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 May 2025 | Viewed by 7871

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Chiara Rollero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of Turin, ‎10124 Turin, Italy
Interests: social psychology; gender studies; stereotypes and prejudice; violence; mass media and social influence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the advent of technology has led to critical transformations in the way individuals communicate, connect, and sexually interact with each other. This is particularly true in the case of adolescents and young adults, whose perception of sexual and social relationships strongly presents the daily exploitation of technological tools, the common use of social media, and the autonomous access to a wide range of information on topics such as sexual health, intimacy, emotions, and body changes. The discussion on these issues in the institutional and public debates has contributed to raising awareness on subjects that were previously highly stigmatized, i.e., gender identities, non-heterosexual relationships, and female sexuality. On the other side, people’s attitudes toward intimate and social relationships are still significantly influenced by gender stereotypes, sexual scripts, and prejudices about “non-normative” identities, especially when it comes to the perception and the perpetration of abusive behaviors. Given the power of mass media in shaping users’ expectations, as well as the several changes previously mentioned about people’s understanding of sexual and social relationships, exploring such issues from a psychological perspective is noteworthy.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a scholarly space for studies that focus on these processes. This includes but is not limited to research on the following:

  • The role of psychosocial factors on sexual and social relationships;
  • The effect of technology on sexual, romantic, and social relationships;
  • Abusive behaviors in sexual and social relationships, even in the online context;
  • Factors affecting individuals’ wellbeing in the context of social relationships;
  • The influence of the broader social context on relationships for members of stigmatized groups;
  • Social vulnerability in online and offline contexts.

Prof. Dr. Chiara Rollero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • wellbeing in social relationships
  • intimate relationships
  • gender stereotypes
  • social media
  • sexual abuse
  • intimate partner violence
  • homosociality

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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14 pages, 510 KiB  
Article
Sexting Behaviors and Fear of Missing out Among Young Adults
by Mara Morelli, Alessandra Ragona, Antonio Chirumbolo, Maria Rosaria Nappa, Alessandra Babore, Carmen Trumello, Gaetano Maria Sciabica and Elena Cattelino
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040454 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Fear of missing out (FoMO) creates a strong urge to stay continuously connected and informed about peers’ activities, identified as a risk factor for problematic social media use and risky behaviors. Sexting is generally defined as the exchange of sexually suggestive or explicit [...] Read more.
Fear of missing out (FoMO) creates a strong urge to stay continuously connected and informed about peers’ activities, identified as a risk factor for problematic social media use and risky behaviors. Sexting is generally defined as the exchange of sexually suggestive or explicit photos, videos, or text messages through cell phones or other technologies. Despite its social relevance, the link between FoMO and sexting remains underexplored. This study examines their relationship in young adults—an understudied group compared to adolescents—while controlling for age, sex, and sexual orientation. The study surveyed 911 Italian young adults (18–30 years, Mage = 22.3, SDage = 2.57, 74% women, 70.4% heterosexual) through an online questionnaire. The results indicate that FoMO predicts only risky sexting behaviors (sexting under substance use and sexting for emotion regulation) while not influencing experimental sexting (sending one’s own sexts). Additionally, the link between FoMO and sexting for emotion regulation is stronger among LGB individuals. Therefore, FoMO has proven to be strongly related to the two kinds of risky sexting but not to experimental sexting. Understanding this relationship can inform prevention and intervention programs on relationships, online communication, and sexting in young adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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24 pages, 602 KiB  
Article
From Pornography Consumption to Sexually Violent Practices: Uncovering the Hidden Influence of Sexual Norms
by Carmen M. Leon, Tatiana Quiñonez-Toral and Eva Aizpurua
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030243 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1662
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform these [...] Read more.
Understanding the dynamics of sexually violent behavior is essential for developing effective interventions and policies that promote safe and respectful sexual relationships. An important area of research in this context is examining the influence of pornography on sexual behavior, which can inform these efforts. This study explores how sexually permissive attitudes and acceptance of the sexual double standard mediate the relationship between pornography consumption and engagement in violent sexual practices among a sample of the general population in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain (N = 1003; 50.7% men). The sexual double standard refers to the societal belief that men and women should be judged differently for the same sexual behaviors, with men often praised or excused for promiscuity, while women face stigma and shame. The findings reveal gender differences in engagement in sexually violent practices during sexual relationships. Men are more likely to perpetrate these behaviors, while women are more likely to experience them. Importantly, both lifetime and last year pornography consumption are associated with an increased involvement in such practices. This relationship is partially mediated by sexually permissive attitudes, with a stronger mediation effect observed in men. Practitioners can leverage these insights to develop comprehensive strategies that mitigate the risks associated with pornography consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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18 pages, 1256 KiB  
Article
Untangling Relational Ties: How Internalized Homonegativity and Adult Attachment Shape Relationship Quality in Lesbian and Gay Couples
by Tommaso Trombetta, Chiara Fusco, Luca Rollè and Alessandra Santona
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020205 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 724
Abstract
Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the association between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality by examining the moderating role of adult attachment (dimensions of anxiety and avoidance) in lesbian and gay (LG) people. Materials and Methods: A total of 674 LG participants who had been in a couple relationship for at least 12 months were included in the study and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The results show a direct negative effect of internalized homonegativity on relationship quality. Adult attachment seems to moderate this relationship: on the one hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality is significant at high levels of anxious attachment, but not at low levels. On the other hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality turns out to be significant at low levels of avoidant attachment, but not at high levels. Discussion: The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance play different roles in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality. While high levels of anxious attachment appear to be a risk factor, high levels of avoidant attachment seem to play a protective role. Although future studies are needed to investigate the present preliminary findings further, the results of the present study provide useful clinical and research insights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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17 pages, 620 KiB  
Article
Associations Among Beliefs Supporting Patriarchal Principles, Conflict Avoidance, and Economic Violence in Intimate-Partner Relationships of Ultra-Orthodox Jews
by Ruth Berkowitz, David Mehlhausen-Hassoen and Zeev Winstok
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111114 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 911
Abstract
Beliefs that uphold patriarchal principles may influence individuals’ willingness to avoid conflict in their intimate-partner relationships, which can, in turn, increase the likelihood of intimate-partner economic violence. However, these associations remain underexplored in current research. This study examines these dynamics within a sample [...] Read more.
Beliefs that uphold patriarchal principles may influence individuals’ willingness to avoid conflict in their intimate-partner relationships, which can, in turn, increase the likelihood of intimate-partner economic violence. However, these associations remain underexplored in current research. This study examines these dynamics within a sample of 321 adults from the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community—a patriarchal and traditional culture. Specifically, it examines associations among beliefs supporting patriarchal principles at the micro (gendered domestic roles), meso, and macro (institutional power of men and the inherent inferiority of women) levels; conflict avoidance; economic violence; and sex differences in these factors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sex differences in the study variables, and path analysis was used to examine the correlations between research variables for men and women. The findings indicate that beliefs in patriarchal ideologies were moderate across all levels but slightly higher among men. Men were significantly more likely than women to avoid conflict with their intimate partners. Beliefs in support of patriarchal ideologies were predictive of conflict avoidance, particularly among women. Contrary to prior research, this study revealed nonsignificant sex differences in the prevalence of economic-violence victimization. These findings, however, do not negate the role of sex-based dynamics in economic-violence victimization. We discuss the findings and the meanings assigned to conflict avoidance by men and women, while considering gender disparities of power and control. We suggest that men’s tendency to avoid conflict likely moderated their likelihood of perpetrating economic violence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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11 pages, 425 KiB  
Article
Teacher Violence and Student Wellbeing in Rural Sierra Leone: Longitudinal Dynamics Across Primary Schooling
by Giulio D’Urso, Jennifer Symonds, Seaneen Sloan, Daniel Capistrano, Elena Samonova, Dympna Devine and Ciaran Sugrue
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111106 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1317
Abstract
This study explored the longitudinal dynamics of teacher violence and student wellbeing in rural Sierra Leone, West Africa. The participants, totaling 3170 children with an age range of 5 years to 11 years, were cluster-sampled from a large geographic area to ensure gender [...] Read more.
This study explored the longitudinal dynamics of teacher violence and student wellbeing in rural Sierra Leone, West Africa. The participants, totaling 3170 children with an age range of 5 years to 11 years, were cluster-sampled from a large geographic area to ensure gender balance and representation from diverse linguistic backgrounds and religious affiliations. They were drawn from the Safe Learning Study, which spanned over 5 years and involved 100 schools in rural Sierra Leone. Data collection took place in four waves from November 2018 to May 2021. Participants completed self-report questionnaires pertaining to psychological wellbeing and experiences of violence from teachers. The study employed a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RICLPM) to examine the relationship between violence and mental health across waves. Across children, a relationship between teacher violence and student wellbeing was observed over time. However, for individual children, higher wellbeing predicted lower instances of violence, and vice versa, although to a weak extent. These findings highlight the complex interplay between violence and wellbeing within the cultural sample. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the social dynamics surrounding violence and wellbeing, informing targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at creating safer and healthier environments for at-risk populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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14 pages, 1270 KiB  
Article
Young Bedouin-Arab Men’s Ego and Pride: Do Traditional Masculinity and Positive Attitudes Toward Polygyny Shape Responses to a Wife’s Refusal?
by Avi Besser, Virgil Zeigler-Hill and Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111081 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 988
Abstract
Cultural traditions in Israel’s Bedouin-Arab community encourage and permit men to take up to four wives, a practice supported by Islamic teachings. Despite legal prohibitions against polygyny in Israel, such marriages remain common and have profound effects on women, children, and broader society. [...] Read more.
Cultural traditions in Israel’s Bedouin-Arab community encourage and permit men to take up to four wives, a practice supported by Islamic teachings. Despite legal prohibitions against polygyny in Israel, such marriages remain common and have profound effects on women, children, and broader society. This study explores how traditional notions of masculinity and positive attitudes toward polygyny influence young Bedouin men’s reactions to a hypothetical scenario in which their wife refuses to accept a polygynous marriage as a threat to men’s ego and pride. The sample consisted of 459 young, unmarried Israeli Bedouin-Arab men, aged 16 to 25, a demographic frequently under family pressure to marry, making the issue of marriage highly relevant. We hypothesized that traditional masculinity and favorable attitudes toward polygyny would be positively associated with heightened perceptions of ego and pride threats in response to a wife’s refusal. Participants were randomly assigned to imagine either their wife refusing a polygynous arrangement (n = 228) or accepting a polygynous arrangement (n = 231) and then reporting their anticipated emotional responses. The results showed that traditional masculinity was linked to positive attitudes toward polygyny, and both were significantly associated with increased perceptions of ego and pride threats in the refusal scenario but not in the acceptance scenario. The findings suggest that men with strong masculine identities and favorable views of polygyny are especially vulnerable to feeling threatened by a wife’s refusal. This supports social construction theory and underscores the role of cultural norms in shaping emotional responses. The discussion highlights the psychological impacts of polygyny in patriarchal societies and calls for culturally sensitive interventions that challenge traditional norms while fostering psychological resilience and gender equality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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12 pages, 256 KiB  
Article
Conceptions of Consensual versus Non-Consensual Sexual Activity among Young People from Colombia
by Luis Enrique Prieto and Nieves Moyano
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100884 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1507
Abstract
Conceptions or ideas that couples hold about sexual consent could be a key factor in their communication, mutual respect, and the prevention of sexual violence. The multifaceted nature of sexual consent makes it a complex concept. The aim of the present study was [...] Read more.
Conceptions or ideas that couples hold about sexual consent could be a key factor in their communication, mutual respect, and the prevention of sexual violence. The multifaceted nature of sexual consent makes it a complex concept. The aim of the present study was to explore individuals’ ideas and understanding of sexual intercourse in two distinct contexts: consensual and non-consensual. We used a qualitative approach, adopting the methodology of thematic analysis. In total, 113 surveys obtained from the general population (76.1% women and 23.9% men aged 18 to 59 years) were studied. Two open-ended questions were asked about the general topic of sexual consent, where we distinguished sexual activity in which there is sexual consent vs. no consent. The phases of the thematic analysis approach were applied. For the consensual context, the following themes emerged: mutual reciprocity and respect; open, clear communication and agreements; and awareness and emotional well-being. For the non-consensual context, the following themes emerged: violence and sexual assault, absence and ambiguity of sexual consent, and lack of communication. All of these aspects should be considered in couples’ communication and sexual education to facilitate and improve sexual relationships and, in turn, prevent violence and sexual aggression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological Research on Sexual and Social Relationships)
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