Sexual Communication & Technology Use in Understudied Relationships: A Qualitative Communicative Interdependence Perspective Study

ABSTRACT This study investigated how relational distance relates to sexual communication modality for individuals (n = 415) in primarily LGBTQ, BDSM, or polyamorous relationships; and how they utilized technology to communicate about sex. Findings suggest that most people did not solely rely on a specific communication modality to communicate about sex, and 71.5% of the participants reported that they did use technology to communicate with a partner about sex. Those who did utilize technology, used it to have more difficult conversations, sexting and flirting, exploration, planning, and sharing, when distance necessitated technology use, and specific websites or mobile platforms. Implications are discussed.