Problematic online sexual activities in men: The role of self‐esteem, loneliness, and social anxiety

Biopsychosocial Determinants of Problematic Pornography Use: A Systematic Review

Background

Although some studies have examined the determinants of problematic pornography use (PPU), few systematic comparisons of risk profiles have been conducted so far. Research on risk profiles can shed a bright light on our knowledge of both the early diagnosis and etiology of such highly prevalent disorders. Accordingly, the present study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the determinants of PPU.

Methods

Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched, and relevant English articles, including longitudinal and cross-sectional studies on risk factors published from January 2000 to February 2022 were reviewed.

Findings

The determinants of PPU extracted from the investigated studies (n=66) were summarized and clustered into biological, psychological, and social categories. The findings indicated that ventral striatum activity is a consistent biological factor which plays a key role in the development of PPU, while there were other psychological factors influencing PPU as mentioned in several studies, including craving, low self-esteem, sexual arousal, coping styles, stress, frequent pornography watching, avoidance, negative beliefs, and emotional deficiency. In addition, the social factors affecting PPU have been reported to be male gender, age, religion, moral incompatibility, and loneliness. According to these results, the identified factors could be considered in preventive treatment.

Conclusion

This systematic review provided a comprehensive overview of the biopsychosocial determinants of PPU by analyzing 66 articles mostly from Europe and North America. Most studies showed that ventral striatum activity, craving, self-esteem, stress, frequent pornography watching, gender, age, and religion are related to PPU.

Associations Between Pornography Consumption Patterns, Pornography Consumption Motives, and Social Wellbeing among U.S. College Students: A Latent Profile Analysis with a Primarily Female Sample

This study identified profiles of pornography motivations and outcomes and assessed differences between profiles on three measures of social well-being: social support, fear of intimacy, and loneliness. Latent profile analysis and group comparisons were conducted using cross-sectional data from college students (N = 389). Results indicated four profiles: low motivation/average distress, porn for enjoyment, high motivation/average guilt, low motivation/high distress. Those in the high motivation/average guilt profile reported more social well-being difficulties relative to the other profiles and non-pornography consumers. Results suggest that individuals who report varying pornography use motivations and negative outcomes may report difficulties with social well-being, with implications for intimate relationships.

Technical profiles of child sexual exploitation material offenders

The idiographic technical profiles of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenders provide insight into their behaviours and context for their interactions with technology, but minimal quantitative work has been done to evaluate their sociability, technical ability and technophilia compared to non-offenders. This work used an online survey to compare an offender group consisting of English-speaking adults previously convicted of CSEM offenses (N = 78) with a reference population of non-offenders (N = 254). The survey assessed sociability, technical ability and technophilia through self-rating and information on occupation, level of education and device ownership. The study found that CSEM offenders had slightly lower sociability than non-offenders, though not at a level of clinical interest. Additionally, CSEM offenders had no statistically significant difference in technical ability and lower overall technophilia when compared to non-offenders. This study fails to support popular perceptions of CSEM offenders being technically savvy loners who are early adopters of new technologies.

The Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 in a Polish sample: psychometric validation and relationship with specific Internet-related disorders and psychosocial functioning

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to adapt and psychometrically validate the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) based on the cognitive-behavioral model of problematic Internet use. Furthermore, the study aimed to examine the relationship between problematic Internet use and other specific Internet-related disorders (i.e., social networking sites addiction, Facebook addiction, and problematic pornography use), as well as the relationships with indicators of poor psychosocial functioning.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE

GPIUS2 was administered to 1155 young Internet users. Participants completed a survey assessing problematic Internet use, specific Internet related-disorders, and indicators of poor psychosocial functioning (anxious and avoidant attachment, social anxiety, and loneliness) via two measuring contexts (online and offline).

RESULTS

The results support a four-factor internal structure of the GPIUS2, similar to that initially proposed and the results of the previous studies. GPIUS2 demonstrated good reliability as well as scalar invariance across online and offline measured contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

Problematic Internet use is a multidimensional construct rather than a one-dimensional construct with strong but not overlapping positive relations with the other specific Internet-related disorders. Those relationships are especially strong among problematic activities related to the social context of Internet use. Furthermore, our findings prove the theoretical assumptions that psychosocial problems and poor social skills are related to problematic Internet use.

Understanding Serial Mediators of Problematic Pornography Use in Pakistani Men and Women

In the current digital environment, satisfying sexual needs via Internet pornography use has the potential to develop into a problem that affects one's psychological health and daily functioning. The aim of this study was to examine potential cognitive and affective factors that could help explain the maintenance and exacerbation of self-defined problematic internet pornography use.

METHODS

280 Pakistani men and women (mean age = 25.40; SD = 5.271, range 18-50) who were current pornography users were recruited through social networking sites (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups) to participate in an online study about pathways to problematic pornography use (PPU). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate path analysis coefficients extending from predisposing variables (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and loneliness) to PPU via the mediating variables of craving, dysfunctional sexual coping, and stimulus-specific inhibitory control.

RESULTS

Craving mediated the relationship between three predisposing variables (depression, anxiety, and self-esteem) and PPU, though not the fourth, namely loneliness. Indirect effects of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem were significantly linked to PPU through two serial mediation pathways: (a) craving and stimulus-specific inhibitory control, and (b) craving and dysfunctional sexual coping.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that craving, stimulus-specific inhibitory control, and dysfunctional coping serve as important mediators in maintaining and exacerbating the cycle between negative predisposing variables and PPU. These results are interpreted within the general framework of therapeutic interventions that can help develop positive coping skills in individuals seeking to alter self-perceived bothersome or unwanted habits related to pornography use.

Use of Gay Chatlines and Online Dating Platforms as Potential Mediators or Moderators in the Relationship Between Loneliness, Self-Rated Attractiveness and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquisition Risk Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in Vancouver, Canada

BACKGROUND

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) remain disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Interaction between psychosocial factors likely plays a role in HIV acquisition risk. We aimed to analyze the association of loneliness and self-rated attractiveness with HIV acquisition risk, and determine whether these associations were mediated by gay telephone chatlines or online dating platforms.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included HIV-negative gbMSM 16 years or older enrolled into the Momentum Health Study from February 2012 to February 2015. Loneliness, self-rated attractiveness (exposures) and use of gay chatlines or online dating platforms (mediators) were assessed through self-interviews. Human immunodeficiency virus acquisition risk (outcome) was assessed by the HIV Incidence Risk Index. Weighted logistic regression modeled the association and moderation effect between exposures and outcome. Mediation models estimated 3-way direct effect among exposures, mediators, and outcome.

RESULTS

Of 542 gbMSM, those who were lonely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.54; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04-2.28) and attractive (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.04-2.76) had increased odds for HIV acquisition risk. Our moderation analysis demonstrated a heightened joint effect among lonely and attractive participants (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.08-2.65). Use of gay telephone chatlines or online dating platforms mediated 30.5% of the association between loneliness and HIV acquisition risk, but did not mediate attractiveness and HIV acquisition risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the provision of interventions focusing on mental health support and safer sex practices through gay telephone chatlines or online dating platforms is promising to help alleviate the HIV burden among gbMSM.

A Cross-Cultural Examination of the Sexting Motives and Attitudes: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Croatia

Many sexting studies conducted in the Western cultures have shown that the percentage is higher in less traditional cultures. However, the generalizability of this phenomenon to non-Western cultures has not been extensively researched. The purpose of this study is to examine and explain cross-cultural differences in sexting behavior among subjects from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. A mixed methods approach was used. The first, qualitative phase included focus groups with two groups of high school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia ( $N=57$ ), aged 15 to 19. In the second, quantitative phase, questionnaires were sent to 440 young adults with an average age of 21 years ( $\text{SD}=3.8$ ). From the interviews with the young people, nonconsensual sexting was perceived as less beneficial. Sexting was viewed as a double standard. The quantitative study revealed gender and country differences in attitudes toward sexting and motives for sexting. Positive attitudes toward sexting were found to predict different forms of sexting motives in both samples. In the sample from Bosnia and Herzegovina, age was found to predict sexting with instrumental motives and body image reinforcement motives. Gender, on the other hand, was found to be predictive of instrumental sexting motives in the Croatian sample and body image reinforcement sexting motives in the Bosnia and Herzegovina sample. This study illustrates the value of cross-cultural approaches combined with mixed methods as a design to study sexting behavior.

Self-Perceived Problematic Use of Online Pornography Is Linked to Clinically Relevant Levels of Psychological Distress and Psychopathological Symptoms

Online pornography is a widespread Internet application. As with other Internet applications, in some cases its use can become problematic. First indications point to a link between problematic use of online pornography and psychological distress and general functional impairment. However, to date, there are no standardized criteria for assessing problematic use of online pornography. In this study, we used the Online Pornography Disorder Questionnaire (OPDQ)-an instrument which adapted the official criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder to online pornography-to measure problematic use and investigated to what extent consumers with a self-perceived problematic use of online pornography differed from casual users with regard to their psychological distress. An online sample of German adult visitors to a popular casual dating site completed the OPDQ, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and provided information on their online pornography use (n = 1539; 72.6% male; 31.43 ± 11.96 years). T-scores for the BSI were calculated and independent t-tests were conducted to compare casual users with consumers with a self-perceived problematic use of online pornography. Of the users, 5.9% fulfilled the criteria for problematic use. This group consumed online pornography for longer amounts of time and showed higher levels of psychological distress (Hedges' g from 0.75 to 1.21). The T-scores of users with self-perceived problematic online pornography use reached clinically relevant levels on all subscales. Overall, the results of the study indicate that self-perceived problematic use of online pornography seems to be linked to severe psychological distress that may warrant clinical attention.

Mobile Dating Applications and the Sexual Self: A Cluster Analysis of Users' Characteristics

The online environment has had a profound sociocultural impact, and its implications pose new challenges to modern-day societies. The digital sexual and dating domains have dramatically affected sexual and romantic behavior and norms, and yet, no empirical studies have addressed the role of the sexual self-concept in driving sexual and romantic online behavior. The aim of this study is to identify reliable sexual self-configurations through a cluster analysis approach and determine whether these profiles are informative in relation to app use motives and sexual outcomes. For this purpose, a total of 244 subjects were recruited. Survey questions measured a set of demographic parameters, motives for app use, online sexual activities, attachment orientations, the sexual self-concept and sexual satisfaction. Five clusters were identified, including two with high levels of sexual drive (“Driven” and “Adventurous”), two with low levels of sexual drive (“Unassured” and “Naïve”) and one with an intermediate level of sexual drive (“Competent”). The clusters differed on gender, attachment styles, app use patterns and sexual characteristics. These findings provide insight into how the sexual self-concept relates to the interaction between individuals and the online sexual and dating scenes.

The Internet addiction test: Psychometric properties, socio-demographic risk factors and addictive co-morbidities in a large adult sample

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Young, 1998) is one of the most utilized diagnostic instruments to evaluate internet addiction. Despite the wide use of IAT in research and clinical settings, there is lack of an empirical validation of this scale among a largescale adult population. The present study aimed to: (1) investigate the psychometric properties of a Hebrew version of the IAT among large-scale Israeli adult sample. (2) Assess the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals who suffer from IA. (3) Assess the co-morbidity of IA in relation to substance and behavioral addictions. A cross sectional study was conducted, by constructing a representative sample (N = 4035) of the Jewish adult (18-70 y/o, M = 40.5, SD = 14.5) population in Israel. Participants responded an online survey, that measured IAT, socio-demographic characteristics, substance and behavioral addictions. Results showed that two-factor model (Emotional and Cognitive Preoccupation with the Internet and Loss of Control and Interference with Daily Life) has good psychometric properties and fits the data well. Young age, not being married (Risk Ratio [RR] = 1.98, 95% CI [1.51-2.63]), and having a low socio-economic status (RR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.05-1.90]) were found to be associated with IA. Drug (RR = 4.50, 95% CI [2.89-7.01]) and alcohol (RR = 3.54, 95% CI [1.50-5.42]) use disorders were associated with IA. High co-morbidity between behavioral addictions and IA was also found (RR = 15.24, 95% CI [11.17-20.78]). Overall, results show that the Hebrew version of the IAT is a valid and reliable instrument, and provide a comprehensive picture of IA prevalence and profile in adult Israeli sample.

What's in a Name? A Phenomenological Exploration of Hypersexuality Narratives

Objective

We explored men's subjective experiences of hypersexuality, including the underlying factors they believed contributed to their sexuality. Methods: We interviewed 32 Canadian men with self-reported concerns related to hypersexuality. Interviews were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and narrative analysis.

Results

Participants' (hyper)sexual experiences revealed complex histories of desire, life disruptions, and hopes to re-story their sexual lives. Similar (sexual and non-sexual) desires were often attributed to different expressions of hypersexuality.

Conclusion

Assessment and treatment protocols for hypersexuality should account for the social and cultural factors that shape sexuality, and the broader field of desire extending beyond just sexual forms.