Contextualizing cybersex experience: Heterosexually identified men and women's desire for and experiences with cybersex with three types of partners

Cybersex is a constellation of partnered, online sexual activities; yet, researchers have not considered the relationship between participants. In this study, we examined cybersex within three partner contexts that differ in their degree of anonymity: primary partner, someone known who was not a partner (known non-partner), and stranger. Participants were 105 men and 264 women who reported at least one cybersex experience. They completed an online survey that included measures of the incidence, frequency, and desired frequency of cybersex within each partner context. Significantly more men and women reported that they had engaged in cybersex with a primary partner compared to a known non-partner and stranger. Participants also desired significantly more frequent cybersex in this context. Compared to the women, the men desired significantly more frequent cybersex overall but only engaged in more frequent cybersex with a stranger. Within partner contexts, there was a positive association between desired and enacted frequency. In addition, participants who desired more frequent cybersex within one partner context also desired more frequent cybersex within other partner contexts. The findings suggest that to fully understand cybersex experience it is necessary to consider gender and the degree of anonymity in the partner context.