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Galper EF, Widman L, Brasileiro J, Noar SM. Adolescents' pornography viewing frequency and its relationship with condom attitudes. Sex Health 2024; 21:SH24025. [PMID: 38769682 DOI: 10.1071/sh24025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background This study examined adolescent pornography viewing and its' relationship with condom attitudes. Methods Data were from 457 adolescents aged 13-18years old who completed an online survey assessing pornography viewing frequency and condom attitudes. Results Many adolescents in our sample had viewed pornography in the past year (n =188, 41%), with pornography viewing frequency being higher among older adolescents (P =0.02), those who have had sex in the past year (P =0.001), and those who identified as White (P =0.01), LGB+ (P =0.05), and male (P =0.001). Adolescents who viewed pornography more frequently had more negative condom attitudes (r =-0.18, P Conclusions A substantial proportion of adolescents in our sample viewed pornography and those who view more frequently had more negative condom attitudes. Results indicate a need for experimental studies examining this relationship and interventions addressing pornography literacy among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Galper
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura Widman
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Julia Brasileiro
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Seth M Noar
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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2
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Paulus FW, Nouri F, Ohmann S, Möhler E, Popow C. The impact of Internet pornography on children and adolescents: A systematic review. L'ENCEPHALE 2024:S0013-7006(24)00045-9. [PMID: 38519310 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Young people's exposure to online pornographic material has increased in the past years. Its impact is a complex topic but an important issue due to growing concerns. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on Internet pornography consumption and its impact on children and adolescents. Furthermore, we examined young people's thoughts about pornography and their reasons for consumption. METHOD We performed a systematic literature search in the online databases ERIC, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX for peer-reviewed articles in English, published between 2000 and 2022 and additionally identified secondary references. RESULTS We could determine associations between pornography consumption and demographic variables (e.g., age, gender), personal characteristics (e.g., [sexual] sensation seeking, sexual interest and experience, general risk behavior), environmental variables (e.g., peers, family), attitudes (e.g., gender role attitudes, permissive sexual attitudes), behavior (e.g. sexual risk behaviour, sexting) and sexual aggression (e.g., sexual cybervictimization, grooming). Moreover, we found that girls have a more negative attitude towards pornography than boys who have an ambivalent opinion on the subject. Most adolescents are aware that the majority of pornographic material is exaggerated and unrealistic. Furthermore, pornography is not only watched out of curiosity and for sexual arousal but also used as a source of sexual information, especially by minority groups. DISCUSSION Many effects that impair children's development have been documented. The results found in this review are often contradictory. Therefore, further replication studies are needed. In addition, we propose several preventive measures, e.g., sexual health education at schools for both heterosexuals and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank W Paulus
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
| | - Foujan Nouri
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Susanne Ohmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Möhler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Christian Popow
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Mayeza E, Ngidi ND, Bhana D, Janak R. Girls' experiences of cellphone porn use in South Africa and their accounts of sexual risk in the classroom. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38478402 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2024.2326846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Violence remains a persistent challenge in South African schools, prompting investigations into underlying risk factors and mitigation strategies. However, an under-explored aspect of this violence is the potential link between the consumption of Internet porn via cellphones among girls and boys, and girls' risks to sexual violence inside the classroom. To address this gap, we used focus group discussions with 14-17-year-old South African girls to examine their experiences of porn access via cellphones and their accounts of sexual violence at school. The study illuminates the nuanced ways in which the girls experience risks and express agency. First, the girls illustrate a link between sexual harassment and boys accessing porn on their cellphones during class. Second, the findings show how girls negotiate their sexual agency and safety through contesting sexual violence. Third, there are conflicting views about porn: while some girls admitted liking and viewing porn, others objected to it as harmful and degrading. Finally, this study offers crucial insights into strategies to create safer school environments and gender equality by drawing attention to the intersections between cellphone porn consumption, sexuality, and girls' negotiations of sexual agency amidst sexual risk in the classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Mayeza
- Department of Sociology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Deevia Bhana
- School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Raksha Janak
- School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Pretoria, Groenkloof Campus, South Africa
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Villena-Moya A, Granero R, Chiclana-Actis C, Potenza MN, Blycker GR, Demetrovics Z, Bőthe B, Steward T, Fernández-Aranda F, Jiménez-Murcia S, Mestre-Bach G. Spanish Validation of the Long and Short Versions of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS and PPCS-6) in Adolescents. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:673-687. [PMID: 37845419 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02700-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Although 1-14% of adolescents may experience problematic pornography use (PPU), psychometrically sound instruments for assessing PPU in Spanish-speaking adolescents are scarce. Given the advantages of the different forms of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS), the aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the PPCS and PPCS-6, and to examine associations between PPU and age among boys and girls. Two school-based adolescent samples were recruited in Spain (n = 650; Mage = 16.0 [SD = 1.1]; 50% girls and 50% boys) and Mexico (n1, 160; Mage = 15.8 [SD = 1.1]; 68% girls) to assess the psychometric properties of the PPCS and PPCS-6. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied and convergent and discriminant validity with other measures related to PPU was also tested. The results provided empirical support for the six-factor structure of the PPCS and the one-factor structure of the PPCS-6. Boys with older age showed higher levels of tolerance than girls on the PPCS in both countries. Both the PPCS and the PPCS-6 may be considered valid psychometric instruments for the assessment of PPU in Spanish-speaking adolescents from Spain and Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Villena-Moya
- Centro de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, La Rioja, 26006, Spain
- Unidad de Sexología Clínica y Salud Sexual de la Consulta Dr. Carlos Chiclana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Granero
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Chiclana-Actis
- Centro de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, La Rioja, 26006, Spain
- Unidad de Sexología Clínica y Salud Sexual de la Consulta Dr. Carlos Chiclana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry and Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gretchen R Blycker
- College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Bőthe
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec á Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Trevor Steward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Centro de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, La Rioja, 26006, Spain.
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Kostopoulou E. Impact of COVID-19 on adolescent sexual life and attitudes: have we considered all the possible secondary effects of the pandemic? Eur J Pediatr 2023:10.1007/s00431-023-04878-5. [PMID: 36939878 PMCID: PMC10026209 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
A significant increase in pornography use has been reported in the adolescent population worldwide over the past few years, with intensification of the phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present review is to provide data on the frequency of pornography consumption among adolescents during the pandemic and raise awareness about its potential impact on personal beliefs and sexual attitudes in the long term. A comprehensive literature review was performed in two scientific databases using the crossmatch of the terms "pornography", "adolescents" and "COVID-19". A significant increase in pornography consumption in adolescents was documented during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of social detachment. Fulfilment of sexual desires in the context of social distancing, alleviation of COVID-19-related boredom and psychological strain, and coping with negative emotions are some of the reported reasons for increased pornography use during the pandemic. However, concerns have been raised in the literature regarding potentially negative effects of excessive pornography use from an early age, including the development of pornography addiction, sexual dissatisfaction and aggressive sexual attitudes reinforced by gender preoccupations and sexual inequality beliefs. CONCLUSION The extent to which increased pornography consumption from an early age during the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected adolescents' mental well-being, personality construction and sexual behaviour is yet to be seen. Vigilance from the society as a whole is required so that potential negative adverse effects of adolescent pornography use and potential social implications are recognized early and managed. Further research is needed so that the full impact of the COVID-19-related pornography use in the adolescent population is revealed. WHAT IS KNOWN •A significant increase in pornography consumption has been documented in the adolescent population worldwide over the past decades due to its quick, affordable and easy access from electronic devices and the possibility of anonymous and private participation. •During the COVID-19 pandemic, this phenomenon was intensified as a coping mechanism to social isolation and increased psychosocial strain. WHAT IS NEW •Concerns have been raised regarding the risk of pornography addiction in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, making the post-pandemic adaptation challenging. •Awareness is raised in parents, health care providers and policy makers about the potential negative impacts of pornography consumption from an early, vulnerable age, such as sexual dissatisfaction and development of aggressive sexual attitudes and sex inequality beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kostopoulou
- Department of Paediatrics, University General Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, Patras, 26504, Greece.
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Scott-Sheldon LAJ, Mark KP, Balzarini RN, Welling LLM. Guest Editors' Introduction to the Special Section on the Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health and Behaviors. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:101-103. [PMID: 35089460 PMCID: PMC8796739 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lori A J Scott-Sheldon
- Division of AIDS Research, National Institute of Mental Health, 5601 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Kristen P Mark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Rhonda N Balzarini
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Lisa L M Welling
- Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
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Maes C, Vandenbosch L. Physically distant, virtually close: Adolescents' sexting behaviors during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2021; 126:107033. [PMID: 34608353 PMCID: PMC8481129 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.107033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study contextualizes Belgian adolescents' (12-18 years old) sexting behaviors between romantic and non-romantic partners during a strict lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey among 543 Belgian respondents (M age = 15.29, 68% girls) showed that 40.9% of the adolescents engaged in at least one type of sexting (i.e., type one = textual, type two = visual content with underwear/swimwear, type three = visual depiction of private parts, type four = visual depiction of sexual acts). Arousal needs were the most common reasons to sext (M = 3.33, SD = 1.89). Generalized ordered logit analyses show that higher arousal needs were linked to higher frequencies of the first three sexting types. Relational affirmation needs were related to the engagement in sexting type two, whereas partner pressure was related to sexting type three and four. Regarding the latter, a significant link was also found with stress regulation. Conditional relations emerged according to adolescents' sex, developmental status, and relationship status. The current study's findings not only help to inform practitioners in terms of behavioral advice for future pandemics or periods after social isolation, but can also offer explanations for (changes in) adolescents' sexting behaviors after the pandemic and the possible dual nature of its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelly Maes
- School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vandenbosch
- School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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