People often wonder if their sexual fantasies are a sign that they want more from their current relationship. But is this true? What effect do these fantasies have on real-life relationships? In this article, we will discuss how sexual fantasies can impact emotional investment in a relationship.
Sexual Fantasy vs Reality
When someone has a sexual fantasy, it does not mean they necessarily want to act out that fantasy in reality. Instead, it's a mental exercise that helps them explore different possibilities and scenarios without actually having to live through them. This can be healthy, as it allows people to explore their own desires and preferences.
It also means that there may be a disconnect between what happens in the bedroom and what happens in the mind.
Emotional Investment
Emotional investment refers to the level of commitment and intimacy that a person feels for another individual. It can include things like trust, respect, loyalty, communication, support, and affection. When someone invests emotionally in a relationship, they become vulnerable and open themselves up to being hurt or rejected. This can make them feel anxious and insecure. They may fear losing their partner or having to start all over again with someone new.
Relationship Sexuality
In a relationship, sex plays an important role in creating intimacy and connection.
Sexual fantasies can sometimes complicate this process. If one partner has a certain type of sexual fantasy, but the other partner does not share those same desires, it can create tension and confusion.
If one person wants BDSM play, but the other person is uncomfortable with it, then the couple must find a way to negotiate and compromise.
Impact on Relationships
Sexual fantasies can impact relationships in several ways. Firstly, they can create distance and secrecy, as partners may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their desires. Secondly, they can lead to jealousy and resentment if one partner feels left out or neglected because of their partner's fantasies.
They can cause arguments and fights if both parties are unwilling to discuss their fantasies openly.
Sexual fantasies do not necessarily mean that a person wants more from their current relationship. Instead, they serve as a mental exercise to explore different possibilities without actually acting on them.
When these fantasies come into conflict with reality, it can create tension and anxiety for both parties. By communicating openly and honestly, couples can work through these issues together and maintain emotional investment in their relationship.
How do sexual fantasies affect emotional investment in relationships?
The research literature suggests that there are several ways in which sexual fantasies can impact one's emotional investment in relationships. One possibility is that individuals who engage in sexual fantasies about other people may become emotionally invested in those people as well, potentially leading to feelings of jealousy or insecurity within their current relationship (Sasson et al. , 2014).