Understanding Relationship Boredom: A Thematic Analysis of Its Dimensions and Links to Sexual Boredom

Boredom is a common experience in long-term relationships, yet research on close relationships has often overlooked this experience and has particularly ignored the way it relates or contributes to sexual boredom. This study aimed to identify and describe dimensions of relationship boredom in individuals in romantic relationships and further understand its link to sexual boredom through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study included a quantitative survey of 3,089 adults, 401 of whom provided open-ended qualitative responses to answer our research question. Around a quarter of our participants reported that they were experiencing relationship boredom in their current relationship. Thematic analysis of open-ended qualitative responses (n = 401) identified four major themes with several sub-themes: 1) protective factors: a) shared experiences, b) emotional connection, and c) independence and autonomy; 2) contributing factors: a) stagnation and monotony, b) sexual health, c) partner and relationship issues, and d) life-stressors; 3) coping strategies: a) effort and responsibility, b) connection and mutuality, and c) novelty and exploration; and 4) consequences: a) negative affect, b) infidelity, and c) relationship end. Overall, participants described relationship boredom as normal and cyclical, and provided intentional ways to manage it, while highlighting some structural barriers to doing this successfully. Findings are discussed using general boredom, self-expansion, and heteronormativity frameworks.