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(https://www.psypost.org/study-identifies-two-psychological-factors-that-predict-digital-dating-abuse/) Study identifies two psychological factors that predict digital dating abuse
Mar 18th 2025, 08:00

A new study published in (https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049241288188) Evolutionary Psychology has found that people who experience strong competition with same-sex romantic rivals are more likely to engage in digital dating abuse. The study also revealed that personality traits play a role, with low levels of agreeableness associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in digital dating abuse. These findings build on previous research by replicating the link between intrasexual competition and digital dating abuse while also introducing the role of personality traits into the conversation.
Digital dating abuse refers to the use of technology to control, monitor, or manipulate a romantic partner. This can include behaviors like checking a partner’s online activity without permission, restricting their social interactions, or impersonating them on social media. Researchers have previously examined digital dating abuse through an evolutionary perspective, arguing that such behaviors may be used to deter romantic rivals and maintain control over a partner.
Since individuals with high intrasexual competitiveness—meaning they feel a strong rivalry with same-sex individuals who may compete for their partner’s attention—tend to engage in behaviors aimed at protecting their relationships, researchers hypothesized that this trait would be linked to digital dating abuse. However, little research had been done on how broader personality traits, such as agreeableness or neuroticism, might influence these behaviors.
“Digital dating abuse is an emerging form of intimate partner violence that has been understudied compared to offline forms of abuse,” said study author (https://researchers.wlv.ac.uk/M.S.B2) Manpal Singh Bhogal, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Wolverhampton.
“Previous research suggested that factors like jealousy and mate retention strategies contribute to digital dating abuse, but little was known about the role of personality traits and intrasexual competition. By exploring these variables, we aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of why individuals engage in digital dating abuse and how personality traits may mitigate or exacerbate this behaviour.”
To explore these questions, researchers recruited 280 participants, including 44 men and 236 women, with an average age of 23.6. All participants were in a romantic relationship at the time of the study. The researchers collected data through an online survey that included several psychological scales.
Participants completed the Intrasexual Rivalry Scale, which measures how competitive they feel toward same-sex individuals in the context of romantic relationships. They also filled out the Digital Dating Abuse Scale, which asks about specific behaviors such as checking a partner’s private information without permission or pretending to be them online. Additionally, participants completed the Big Five Personality Inventory, a well-established measure of five major personality traits: agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness.
The results showed that agreeableness was a strong negative predictor of digital dating abuse. In other words, people who scored high in agreeableness—who tend to be warm, cooperative, and considerate—were less likely to engage in digital dating abuse. While other personality traits, such as neuroticism and conscientiousness, showed small correlations with digital dating abuse, agreeableness was the only trait that emerged as a significant predictor in the statistical model.
“One of the more surprising findings was that, while various Big Five traits correlated with digital dating abuse, only agreeableness emerged as a significant predictor in our regression model,” Bhogal told PsyPost. “We expected neuroticism or conscientiousness to play a larger role, given their links to relationship aggression in previous studies. However, this suggests that traits linked to interpersonal warmth and cooperation may be particularly relevant in explaining abusive online behaviors.”
People who reported higher levels of intrasexual competitiveness were also significantly more likely to engage in digital dating abuse. This finding supports previous research suggesting that individuals who are highly competitive with same-sex rivals may use online monitoring and control tactics as a way to deter romantic competition and maintain their relationships.
“Our findings suggest that intrasexual competition—rivalry with same-sex individuals for romantic partners—plays a role in digital dating abuse perpetration,” Bhogal explained. “Those high in intrasexual competition were more likely to engage in digital dating abuse, possibly as a way to monitor and control their partners. Additionally, personality matters: people with higher levels of agreeableness were less likely to engage in digital dating abuse. This highlights that both individual psychological factors and broader social motivations contribute to this form of relationship behavior.”
The researchers also examined gender differences but found no significant effects, which aligns with previous research suggesting that men and women engage in digital dating abuse at similar rates.
Although these findings add to the understanding of digital dating abuse, the study has some limitations. “First, our study was cross-sectional, meaning we cannot determine causality—whether intrasexual competition leads to digital dating abuse or vice versa,” Bhogal noted. “Second, our sample was mostly female, which may limit generalizability across genders. Future research should explore these dynamics in more diverse samples and through longitudinal designs.”
“I aim to further investigate the psychological mechanisms behind digital dating abuse, particularly the interplay between personality, relationship dynamics, and individual differences. Future studies could explore interventions that reduce harmful behaviours in relationships and examine how digital dating abuse manifests across different cultural and age groups. Additionally, understanding how victims and perpetrators perceive these behaviours could inform better educational and policy approaches to address online relationship abuse.
“Raising awareness about digital dating abuse is crucial, especially as online interactions become increasingly integrated into romantic relationships,” Bhogal added. “Many discussions around intimate partner violence focus on offline behaviours, but digital forms of abuse can be just as harmful. Our research highlights the need for educational programs that address these behaviours and promote healthier online relationship dynamics.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049241288188) The Role of Intrasexual Competition and the Big 5 in the Perpetration of Digital Dating Abuse,” was authored by Manpal Singh Bhogal and Morgan Taylor.

(https://www.psypost.org/diet-quality-and-abdominal-fat-in-midlife-are-linked-to-brain-health-in-older-age/) Diet quality and abdominal fat in midlife are linked to brain health in older age
Mar 18th 2025, 06:00

A recent study published in (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2831324) JAMA Network Open suggests that maintaining a high-quality diet and managing abdominal fat during midlife may help preserve brain health and cognitive function in later years. Researchers found that individuals who followed healthier diets and had lower waist-to-hip ratios between the ages of 48 and 70 showed stronger brain connectivity and better cognitive performance as they aged. These findings highlight the potential for lifestyle changes in middle age to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Unhealthy eating habits and obesity have long been linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which are also known risk factors for dementia. While prior research has examined how specific nutrients affect brain function, few studies have explored the long-term effects of overall diet quality and abdominal fat on brain connectivity and memory. The hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory, is particularly sensitive to lifestyle-related changes, but evidence regarding its connectivity with other brain areas remains limited.
The new study aimed to address these gaps by investigating whether diet quality and waist-to-hip ratio in midlife, as well as changes in these factors over time, were associated with brain structure, brain function, and cognitive abilities in older age. By analyzing long-term data, the researchers hoped to clarify whether lifestyle factors influence brain health during the transition from middle to late adulthood.
“In the context of the global obesity pandemic (with approximately 43% of adults and 20% of children worldwide classified as overweight), improving metabolic health and dietary quality during midlife is essential for brain health and cognition in later life,” explained study author (https://www.cbs.mpg.de/person/jensen/371395) Daria E. A. Jensen, a postdoctoral fellow at the University Medical Center Leipzig and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and visiting researcher at the University of Oxford.
“This aligns with the World Health Organization’s guidelines, which emphasise a balanced diet and effective weight management as key strategies for preventing dementia. This study aimed to address gaps in existing research by examining the long-term effects of overall diet quality and waist-to-hip ratio (as a measure for abdominal fat) on brain connectivity and cognitive function.”
The researchers used data from the Whitehall II Study, a long-term health study of British civil servants that began in 1985. Participants’ waist and hip measurements were taken at five different time points over 21 years, while their diet quality was assessed using a validated food questionnaire at three of those time points. The study focused on 664 participants for the waist-to-hip ratio analysis and 512 for the diet quality analysis, all of whom later underwent MRI brain scans and cognitive tests.
The researchers measured diet quality using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, a scoring system that reflects adherence to a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. They assessed brain connectivity using MRI scans, examining both structural integrity (using diffusion tensor imaging) and functional connections in the hippocampus (using resting-state fMRI). Cognitive function was evaluated through a series of memory, executive function, and processing speed tests.
The study found that individuals who maintained a higher diet quality throughout midlife had stronger functional connectivity in the hippocampus, particularly with brain regions involved in visual processing and coordination. This suggests that better diet quality supports neural connections that are important for memory and cognitive function.
Additionally, participants who improved their diet quality over time showed better structural integrity in several key white matter pathways, including the corticospinal tract and superior thalamic radiation. These pathways are essential for communication between different brain regions and are often affected in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
In contrast, a higher waist-to-hip ratio in midlife was associated with widespread disruptions in white matter integrity, particularly in tracts connected to the hippocampus. Individuals with higher waist-to-hip ratios performed worse on memory and executive function tests in older age. The study also found that these cognitive deficits were partly mediated by changes in white matter structure, suggesting that abdominal fat may contribute to brain aging by damaging neural pathways.
“The key takeaway from our study is that maintaining a high-quality diet and managing waist-to-hip ratio during midlife are crucial for supporting brain health and cognitive function in later life,” Jensen told PsyPost. “These lifestyle choices can have long-lasting impacts, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.”
Interestingly, while diet quality was linked to brain connectivity and structure, it did not directly correlate with cognitive test performance. In contrast, waist-to-hip ratio had a clear impact on cognitive abilities, likely due to its influence on white matter health. This suggests that excess abdominal fat may accelerate cognitive decline by impairing the brain’s structural integrity.
“It was surprising to see the strong association between waist-to-hip ratio and cognitive performance, mediated by changes in white matter connectivity,” Jensen said. “This highlights the significant impact of central obesity on brain health, which is not commonly emphasized in discussions about cognitive maintenance.”
As with all research, there are some limitations to consider. The participants were predominantly male and had higher education levels than the general population, which may limit the applicability of the findings to a broader audience. Additionally, diet quality was self-reported, which can introduce inaccuracies in measuring food intake. The study also did not account for other lifestyle factors such as physical activity or genetic predispositions that may influence brain health.
“While our study highlights significant associations between diet, waist-to-hip ratio, and brain health, it’s important to note that these findings are correlational and do not establish causation,” Jensen noted. “However, studies on people living with obesity showed that bariatric surgery for weight loss may lead to brain structure reorganisation at long-term follow-up (e.g. (https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/127) Prehn et al., 2020). With our longitudinal study design, we could show the long-term impact of body composition and diet in midlife onto brain organization and cognition later in life.”
Future research should explore whether specific dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, have stronger effects on brain connectivity. Further studies could also investigate whether reducing abdominal fat through targeted interventions leads to measurable improvements in cognitive function.
“My long-term goals include exploring the mechanisms linking diet and obesity to brain health, particularly the role of the gut microbiome,” Jensen said. “I also aim to investigate specific eating behaviours and decision-making processes to refine strategies for preventing cognitive decline through lifestyle modifications.”
The results of this study highlight midlife as a key period for lifestyle interventions aimed at preserving brain health. Encouraging individuals to adopt a healthier diet and manage their waist-to-hip ratio between the ages of 48 and 70 could have lasting benefits.
“I would like to emphasize the critical role of early lifestyle interventions in the prevention of cognitive decline,” Jensen concluded. “Our findings underscore the importance for medical doctors to advocate for healthier dietary habits and effective management of central obesity during midlife. By doing so, healthcare professionals can play a pivotal role in guiding patients towards lifestyle choices that significantly influence their cognitive health trajectory, ultimately reducing the risk of dementia and enhancing quality of life in older age.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0171) Association of Diet and Waist-to-Hip Ratio With Brain Connectivity and Memory in Aging,” was authored by Daria E. A. Jensen, Klaus P. Ebmeier, Tasnime Akbaraly, Michelle G. Jansen, Archana Singh-Manoux, Mika Kivimäki, Enikő Zsoldos, Miriam C. Klein-Flügge, and Sana Suri.

(https://www.psypost.org/early-social-rejection-may-foster-dark-personality-traits-through-loneliness-study-suggests/) Early social rejection may foster dark personality traits through loneliness, study suggests
Mar 17th 2025, 14:00

Experiencing social rejection during adolescence may contribute to the development of dark personality traits, a new study suggests. The research, published in the (https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.13018) Journal of Personality, found that early experiences of social ostracism can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, which in turn may encourage the emergence of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. These traits, often referred to as the Dark Triad, are typically associated with manipulativeness, impulsivity, and an inflated sense of self-importance.
The researchers sought to examine how environmental factors, particularly social rejection, contribute to personality development. Previous studies have largely focused on genetic and biological explanations for personality traits, including the Dark Triad. While genetic influences play a role in shaping personality, the new study aimed to determine whether external factors, such as social ostracism, could also play a meaningful part. 
Adolescence is a critical period in personality development, with traits still relatively malleable before stabilizing in adulthood. Given that social rejection is a common stressor in this stage of life, the researchers hypothesized that it could contribute to the formation of the Dark Triad, with loneliness serving as a key psychological link in this process.
“This study was initially inspired by observations of adolescents in real life,” said study author Junwei Pu of Yangtze University.” We noticed that some individuals exhibited noticeable personality changes upon entering adolescence, yet the underlying reasons remained unclear. This led us to hypothesize that personal experiences and environmental influences during this developmental stage might play a crucial role. In pursuit of this, we aimed to identify potential pathways that could help us better understand the development of certain traits, particularly those associated with the Dark Triad.”
To investigate this, the researchers conducted a longitudinal study over a period of more than a year. They recruited 294 adolescents aged 15 to 18 from public schools in Jingzhou City, China. Participants completed self-reported surveys measuring their experiences of social ostracism, levels of loneliness, and tendencies toward Dark Triad traits at three different time points—October 2022, April 2023, and December 2023. A total of 230 participants remained in the study until the final data collection, with 64 dropping out due to various reasons such as relocation or voluntary withdrawal. Statistical models were used to analyze how social ostracism at an earlier time point influenced loneliness and Dark Triad traits at later time points.
The results supported the idea that social ostracism contributes to the development of Dark Triad traits over time, but indirectly through loneliness. Adolescents who experienced social exclusion at the first measurement point were more likely to report higher levels of loneliness at the second point. In turn, those who felt lonelier at the second time point displayed an increase in Dark Triad traits by the third measurement. 
This pattern suggests that being rejected or ignored by peers creates a sense of social isolation, which may push individuals toward adopting traits that help them navigate a hostile environment. Notably, the researchers did not find a direct effect of social ostracism on Dark Triad traits, reinforcing the idea that loneliness acts as an intermediate step in this relationship.
“From a cultural perspective, we were struck by how a well-known Chinese proverb seems to encapsulate our findings: ‘Those who are seen as hateful often have a pitiable side, and those who are pitiable may also have a side that evokes disdain,'” Pu told PsyPost. “This aligns with our conclusion that individuals displaying maladaptive traits may, in part, be shaped by their past experiences and environmental circumstances.”
When looking at the specific traits within the Dark Triad, the study revealed some nuances. Machiavellianism—marked by manipulativeness and strategic thinking—was linked to early social rejection, but its development did not seem to depend on loneliness as much as the other traits. Psychopathy, which includes impulsivity and a lack of empathy, appeared to be more strongly connected to feelings of loneliness. 
The study also found that narcissistic traits, characterized by an inflated self-view, were linked to early loneliness, but this connection did not persist as consistently over time. These findings suggest that while loneliness plays a role in shaping Dark Triad traits, each trait may respond to social experiences in slightly different ways.
“On one hand, our research may contribute to a better understanding of the developmental mechanisms underlying this personality structure, thereby informing efforts to prevent maladaptive adolescent development,” Pu said. “On the other hand, it serves as a reminder to take a nuanced perspective when evaluating others—recognizing an individual’s personal history and experiences may help foster a deeper understanding of their behaviors and traits.”
Like all research, this study has its limitations. The sample was drawn from a specific cultural and educational context in China, meaning the findings may not be fully generalizable to other populations. Additionally, while the study tracked participants over time, it did not establish a causal link between social ostracism and Dark Triad traits. Other factors, such as pre-existing personality tendencies or additional social stressors, could also contribute to the observed patterns. The self-reported nature of the surveys also introduces the possibility of bias in how participants perceived and described their experiences.
Future research could explore whether certain protective factors, such as strong parental support or positive friendships, help mitigate the effects of social ostracism on personality development. Additionally, experimental studies could provide stronger evidence of causality by testing whether deliberate interventions, such as social inclusion programs, can prevent the development of Dark Triad traits. 
“Building on our previous work, we hope to further refine existing frameworks of personality development,” Pu said. “Specifically, drawing on trait activation theory, we aim to explore how certain social contexts may shape the emergence and development of specific personality traits.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.13018) The Potential Roles of Social Ostracism and Loneliness in the Development of Dark Triad Traits in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study,” was authored by Junwei Pu and Xiong Gan

(https://www.psypost.org/semaglutide-reduces-brain-inflammation-and-improves-memory-in-an-alzheimers-model/) Semaglutide reduces brain inflammation and improves memory in an Alzheimer’s model
Mar 17th 2025, 14:00

A new study suggests that semaglutide, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes, may help protect the brain from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that semaglutide reduced inflammation in the brains of genetically modified mice that mimic Alzheimer’s disease and improved their memory performance. The findings, published in the journal (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.11.022) Neuroscience, add to growing evidence that diabetes medications may offer benefits for neurodegenerative diseases, though more research is needed to understand how these drugs exert their effects.
Semaglutide is a medication sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which help regulate blood sugar and appetite. In recent years, scientists have discovered that these drugs may have additional benefits beyond metabolic control, including potential protective effects in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease gradually damages nerve cells in the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. This deterioration is linked to the buildup of toxic proteins, chronic inflammation, and impaired energy metabolism in brain cells. Some studies suggest that semaglutide may help by reducing brain inflammation and preventing cell damage, but the precise mechanism is not yet fully understood. The new study aimed to investigate how semaglutide affects brain inflammation and memory function in a well-established mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
To test semaglutide’s effects, the researchers used a well-established mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease known as APP/PS1/tau transgenic mice. These mice carry genetic mutations that cause the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, the two main hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The study also included a group of normal, healthy mice for comparison.
The mice were divided into four groups: a control group of normal mice given a placebo, a group of Alzheimer’s model mice given a placebo, a group of normal mice given semaglutide, and a group of Alzheimer’s model mice treated with semaglutide. The researchers administered semaglutide at a dose of 25 nanomoles per kilogram every other day for 30 days. After the treatment period, the mice underwent behavioral tests to assess their memory and learning abilities. The researchers also examined brain tissue to measure levels of inflammation and amyloid plaque buildup.
The results showed that semaglutide improved both short-term and long-term memory in the Alzheimer’s model mice. In a test called the Y-maze, which measures spatial working memory, untreated Alzheimer’s model mice performed significantly worse than normal mice. However, those treated with semaglutide showed improved memory performance, nearly matching the healthy control mice. Similarly, in the Morris water maze, a test that assesses long-term spatial memory, semaglutide-treated mice found the hidden platform more quickly than untreated Alzheimer’s model mice.
On a biological level, semaglutide reduced the amount of amyloid plaque in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory. The researchers also found that semaglutide lowered levels of inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which are known to contribute to brain cell damage. At the same time, semaglutide increased levels of anti-inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-4 and interleukin-10, which help protect brain cells.
One of the key findings was that semaglutide appeared to change the behavior of microglia, the brain’s immune cells. In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia become overly activated and release harmful inflammatory substances. Semaglutide encouraged microglia to shift from a pro-inflammatory state, known as the M1 type, to an anti-inflammatory state, known as the M2 type. This transformation is thought to reduce brain damage and promote healing.
To further investigate how semaglutide affects inflammation, the researchers conducted additional experiments using cultured microglial cells. When these cells were exposed to amyloid beta, a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer’s, they became inflamed and started releasing harmful substances. However, when the cells were pretreated with semaglutide, they produced fewer inflammatory molecules and were less likely to undergo cell death.
Interestingly, semaglutide did not appear to increase the number of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors in the brain, which are the drug’s primary target in diabetes treatment. This suggests that semaglutide may enhance the sensitivity of existing receptors rather than increasing their quantity.
Although the findings are promising, the study has several limitations. First, the research was conducted in mice, and it is unclear whether the same effects will be seen in humans. While semaglutide has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, its precise effects on human brain inflammation and memory remain to be fully tested.
Second, the study focused primarily on microglia, but other brain cells, such as astrocytes, also play a role in neuroinflammation and may be influenced by semaglutide. Future research should investigate whether semaglutide affects other types of brain cells and how these changes contribute to neuroprotection.
Finally, while this study focused on short-term treatment effects, Alzheimer’s disease progresses over many years. Future studies should examine whether long-term semaglutide treatment can slow cognitive decline in aging animals and, ultimately, in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Semaglutide is currently being tested in large-scale clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, and if the results are positive, it could become one of the first medications to treat both diabetes and neurodegeneration. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that drugs designed for metabolic disorders might also hold promise for brain health.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.11.022) Semaglutide promotes the transition of microglia from M1 to M2 type to reduce brain inflammation in APP/PS1/tau mice,” was authored by Zhao-Jun Wang, Wei-Na Han, Shi-Fan Chai, Yan Li, Chao-Jing Fu, Chen-Fang Wang, Hong-Yan Cai, Xin-Yi Li, Xiao Wang, Christian Hölscher, and Mei-Na Wu.

(https://www.psypost.org/men-with-lower-mate-value-compared-to-their-partners-perform-more-cunnilingus-study-finds/) Men with lower mate value compared to their partners perform more cunnilingus, study finds
Mar 17th 2025, 12:00

Men who perceive themselves as less desirable than their female partners may be more likely to perform oral sex as a way to maintain their relationships, according to new research published in the (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-03064-4) Archives of Sexual Behavior. The study found that men with a lower mate value than their partners engaged in more frequent cunnilingus, and this was driven by their increased motivation to satisfy their partner sexually. However, researchers did not find evidence that concerns about disease influenced this behavior, suggesting that mate retention motivations outweigh potential health risks in this context.
Romantic relationships have played a fundamental role in human survival and reproduction. While long-term partnerships offer advantages such as mutual support, resource sharing, and cooperative child-rearing, they also come with challenges. One significant issue is the risk of infidelity or losing a partner to a more desirable mate. To address this, people use strategies to retain their partners, particularly when there is a difference in mate value—the perceived desirability of a person as a partner.
Previous research suggests that when one partner is perceived as more desirable than the other, the lower-value partner may feel increased pressure to prevent their partner from straying. These individuals might use both psychological and behavioral strategies to maintain the relationship. One approach, known as benefit-provisioning mate retention, involves engaging in behaviors that increase a partner’s satisfaction, such as offering emotional support, gifts, or acts of affection. Sexual behaviors, including oral sex, may also serve this purpose.
Prior studies have shown that men tend to be more interested in performing oral sex on their committed partners compared to casual encounters. This suggests that cunnilingus might be a strategic act meant to enhance relationship satisfaction rather than simply a display of sexual desire. Given this, the researchers aimed to investigate whether men with lower mate value than their partners use cunnilingus more frequently as a mate retention strategy. They also examined whether this behavior was motivated by the desire to sexually satisfy their partner and whether concerns about disease influenced the likelihood of engaging in oral sex.
“The mate value discrepancy appears to generate a strong motivation that influences dynamics within romantic relationships. We aimed to investigate whether it can regulate sexual behavior in the same way it influences behaviors such as mate-guarding,” explained study author Aleksandra Szymków-Sudziarska, a professor and the head of (https://rcbbsb.com/) the Center for Research on Biological Basis of Social Behavior at SWPS University in Warsaw.
The study included 540 heterosexual men who were in committed, sexually active relationships for at least three months. Participants were recruited through university research pools and social media platforms and completed an online survey assessing various aspects of their relationships and sexual behaviors.
To measure mate value discrepancy, participants rated their own desirability as a romantic partner and separately rated their partner’s desirability. The difference between these scores determined the extent to which a participant perceived himself as having a lower or higher mate value than his partner.
The researchers also measured how frequently men performed cunnilingus on their partners by asking how many of their last 10 sexual encounters included oral sex. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire assessing their motivation to sexually satisfy their partner, responding to statements like, “It is most important for me to sexually satisfy my partner.”
To explore whether disease concerns played a role, the study assessed participants’ perceived vulnerability to disease. This included measures of germ aversion (the tendency to feel disgusted by potential sources of contamination) and perceived infectability (the belief that one is particularly susceptible to illness). Researchers hypothesized that men with lower concerns about disease would be more likely to perform cunnilingus, as oral sex carries some risk of transmitting infections.
The findings confirmed that men who perceived themselves as having a lower mate value compared to their partners engaged in more frequent cunnilingus. However, this effect was not direct; rather, it was mediated by their motivation to sexually satisfy their partner. In other words, men who saw themselves as less desirable were more driven to please their partners sexually, and this motivation led to more frequent oral sex.
Interestingly, the study also found that men who perceived a mate value discrepancy were not just more likely to perform cunnilingus—they also reported enjoying it more. This suggests that men in these situations may develop a preference for performing oral sex, possibly as a way to reinforce their bond with their partner.
“The story is quite straightforward — if you are a man in a romantic relationship, the less you believe you deserve your female partner, the more motivated you become to strive for her satisfaction, and the more likely you are to perform cunnilingus,” Szymków-Sudziarska told PsyPost. “What was surprising was that the index of mate value discrepancy was positively correlated with men’s enjoyment of orally satisfying their female partners. This means that the more negatively a man perceived his own mate value compared to his partner, the more likely he was not only to perform but also to enjoy performing cunnilingus.”
The expected moderating effect of perceived vulnerability to disease was not found. The researchers initially predicted that men who were more concerned about disease transmission would be less likely to engage in cunnilingus, but this was not the case. Men’s motivation to satisfy their partner appeared to override concerns about potential health risks, at least in the context of committed relationships.
Additional analyses revealed that the frequency of cunnilingus was strongly associated with men’s beliefs about their partner’s enjoyment of receiving it. That is, men were more likely to perform oral sex when they believed their partner found it pleasurable. This suggests that men with lower mate value may not simply be engaging in oral sex to fulfill an obligation—they may also be reinforcing their partner’s pleasure as a means of strengthening the relationship.
While the findings provide valuable insights, the study has some limitations. First, the research relied on self-reported data, meaning that participants may have exaggerated or underreported their behaviors. Social desirability bias could lead some men to overstate their efforts to satisfy their partner, while others may not accurately assess their partner’s level of enjoyment. Future studies could benefit from gathering data from both partners in a relationship to provide a more complete picture.
Additionally, the study was conducted with men in Poland, and cultural attitudes toward oral sex may differ in other parts of the world. Some cultures place greater emphasis on sexual reciprocity in relationships, while others may discourage certain sexual practices altogether. Future research could examine whether similar patterns hold across different cultural contexts.
Another important consideration is that this study did not assess whether cunnilingus led to increased relationship satisfaction or reduced infidelity risk. While men with lower mate value may use oral sex to retain their partners, it remains unclear whether this strategy is effective in preventing breakups or increasing long-term commitment. Future research could examine whether engaging in cunnilingus actually strengthens a relationship or if other factors, such as emotional intimacy, play a more significant role.
“Our primary goal is to explore the factors influencing human motivations to engage in specific sexual behaviors,” Szymków-Sudziarska said. “Guided by an evolutionary framework on mate-retention strategies, we conduct studies on how mate value discrepancies shape these motivations — not only for oral sex but also for initiating and ending sexual intercourse, as well as faking orgasms, in both men and women.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-03064-4) Oral Sex May Serve as Low Mate Value Compensation Among Men: Evidence from a Pre-registered Study,” was authored by Natalia Frankowska, Aleksandra Szymkow, and Andrzej Galbarczyk.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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