Agh, science!

New research coming out of America suggests that sexting- the act of sending erotic photos or texts, to your partner might be the sign of a committed relationship. Professor of Human Development at California State University, Rob Weisskirch compiled this information after studying a group of 459 unmarried undergrad students via an online questionnaire. The findings are based around one of the major theories regarding relationships called ‘attachment theory’. Attachment theory basically states that how you related to your caregiver as a child will shape how you view relationships in later life. Mr Weisskirch says

“If your caregiver was attuned to your needs and responsive, you will develop a secure attachment. That means you are comfortable with close relationships because your experience paid off. But if your caregiver was not so attuned to your needs, was intrusive or inattentive, you might develop what is called an insecure attachment."

So, what does this have to do with sexting? Well, of all the people they surveyed, researchers hypothesised that people who were in a new relationship, or in an unsure or undefined situation with someone, were more likely to sext. Why? Well, because they cared about what their partner thought of them and were afraid that if they didn’t sext, their other half may lose interest. However, the opposite turned out to be true. Researchers found that it was people in a committed relationship who sexted the most, showing a high level of trust and faith in their other half. The researchers had this to say

“We expected to find that anxiety would prompt people to sext but were surprised that comfort with intimacy related to sexting behaviours. We also expected to find that sexting would occur in relationships without a lot of commitment, meaning that we thought that sexting would be part of the wooing. But it turns out that people who are comfortable with close relationships (a secure attachment style) and also worry about what their partner might think of them are more likely to engage in sexting, but only if there is some level of commitment in the relationship.”

Now, as always, take this research with a pinch of salt folks. Only do what you feel comfortable doing in any relationship and don't let yourself be pressurised!