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Hanseder S, Dantas JAR. Males' Lived Experience with Self-Perceived Pornography Addiction: A Qualitative Study of Problematic Porn Use. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1497. [PMID: 36674250 PMCID: PMC9861829 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The positive impact of pornography use has been demonstrated; however, most research points towards problematic, compulsive, or excessive engagement with pornography and associated adverse effects on well-being. However, results remain inconclusive and qualitative research capturing perspectives of affected people is scarce. This phenomenological study aimed to explore the perspective and lived experience of males with a self-reported addiction to pornography. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 13 males aged between 21 and 66 years from Australia and the USA were conducted. A thematic analysis of the transcripts was undertaken, resulting in the identification of four themes. The interviews explored the participants' reasoning for determining themselves as porn addicts, investigated patterns of use, examined the perceived multifaceted impacts of pornography use, illustrated applied individual strategies to overcome the addiction, and proposed interventions helping to inform future recommendations. Experiences and perceptions of pornography addiction were consistently depicted as problematic and harmful. Most participants described an inability to stop their consumption despite experiencing adverse effects. Commonly reported was a gradual increase in the use of and consumption of new or more shocking content. Consumption of content was outlined as an escape or coping mechanism for negative emotions or boredom. Participants reported a variety of applied strategies to manage their addiction and suggested recommendations. Investigation into strategies for the identification of problematic pornography use, its conceptualization, associated health outcomes, and effective preventative and interventional strategies are required to provide academic consistency, support those negatively affected by pornography, and achieve increased public awareness of the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaya A. R. Dantas
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
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Fernandez DP, Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD. The Pornography "Rebooting" Experience: A Qualitative Analysis of Abstinence Journals on an Online Pornography Abstinence Forum. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:711-728. [PMID: 33403533 PMCID: PMC7889567 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A growing number of individuals using online forums are attempting to abstain from pornography (colloquially termed "rebooting") due to self-perceived pornography-related problems. The present qualitative study explored phenomenological experiences of abstinence among members of an online "rebooting" forum. A total of 104 abstinence journals by male forum members were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of four themes (with a total of nine subthemes) emerged from the data: (1) abstinence is the solution to pornography-related problems, (2) sometimes abstinence seems impossible, (3) abstinence is achievable with the right resources, and (4) abstinence is rewarding if persisted with. Members' primary reasons for initiating "rebooting" involved desiring to overcome a perceived addiction to pornography and/or alleviate perceived negative consequences attributed to pornography use, especially sexual difficulties. Successfully achieving and maintaining abstinence was typically experienced to be very challenging due to habitual behavior patterns and/or cravings triggered by a multiplicity of cues for pornography use, but a combination of internal (e.g., cognitive-behavioral strategies) and external (e.g., social support) resources made abstinence attainable for many members. A range of benefits attributed to abstinence by members suggest that abstaining from pornography could potentially be a beneficial intervention for problematic pornography use, although future prospective studies are needed to rule out possible third variable explanations for these perceived effects and to rigorously evaluate abstinence as an intervention. The present findings shed light on what the "rebooting" experience is like from members' own perspectives and provide insights into abstinence as an approach for addressing problematic pornography use.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Fernandez
- Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK.
| | - Daria J Kuss
- Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
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Osadchiy V, Vanmali B, Shahinyan R, Mills JN, Eleswarapu SV. Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands: Abstinence from Pornography, Masturbation, and Orgasm on the Internet. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:1427-1428. [PMID: 32367482 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01728-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Osadchiy
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Ueberroth #3361, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Consortium for Health Activity on Social Media, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bobby Vanmali
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert Shahinyan
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Ueberroth #3361, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Consortium for Health Activity on Social Media, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse N Mills
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Ueberroth #3361, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sriram V Eleswarapu
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Ueberroth #3361, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Consortium for Health Activity on Social Media, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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