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Fraumeni-McBride J, Willoughby BJ. Women's Pornography Use Patterns and Sexuality Education in U.S. Public Schools. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024:10.1007/s10508-024-02905-6. [PMID: 38997575 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between sexuality education in U.S. public schools and women's pornography use. Utilizing quantitative methods, we examined a sample of women attending U.S. public schools who reported regular pornography use. Results revealed that, regardless of the type of sexuality education received, women exhibited similar rates of pornography use, with 60% reporting its use. A substantial portion (69%) of the women began using pornography during childhood or adolescence. Women who received abstinence only sexuality education reported higher frequencies of pornography use compared to their comprehensive sexuality education counterparts. About 79% of women using pornography perceived it as a source of sexuality learning, especially regarding sexual pleasure. However, they expressed reluctance in using pornography for sexual education and did not consider it a preferred method for learning about sexuality. The findings suggest the need for comprehensive sexuality education that addresses essential topics, such as sexual pleasure and sexual script development, to cater to women's diverse learning needs, ideally taught by parents or primary caregivers, but may be necessary for public education in the absence of parental instruction. Policymakers and educators should bridge these gaps to develop more effective sexuality education curricula. This study contributes valuable insights, highlighting the importance of an inclusive approach to sexuality education in U.S. public schools. Future research should explore the implications of different sexuality education approaches on women's sexual development and well-being, emphasizing comprehensive education to foster healthy sexual behaviors among women.
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Pouralijan Z, Bőthe B, Farnam F. Pornography use, demographic and sexual health characteristics among university students: a gender-based comparative study of non-users, non-problematic users, and problematic users. Reprod Health 2024; 21:103. [PMID: 38987845 PMCID: PMC11234758 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-024-01841-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited gender-based research has compared sexual health among pornography users (PUs) and non-users, including non-problematic pornography users (non-PPUs) and problematic pornography users (PPUs), particularly in non-Western cultures. METHODS A 2022 cross-sectional study involving 450 Iranian university students categorized participants as PUs or non-users based on 12 months of use. PUs were further classified as non-PPUs or PPUs using the 'Problematic Pornography Use Scale' cutoff point, with comparisons of demographic and sexual variables made between these groups. RESULTS Pornography use was reported among 39.6% of students, including 51.7% of men and 33.6% of women. In general, 9.5% of participants were PPUs, including 17.4% of men and 5.6% of women. PUs were mainly men, had fewer children, shorter marriages, lower religiosity, and lower levels of education. Compared with non-users, PUs reported earlier sexual relationships, lower satisfaction with sex frequency and communication, and greater rates of extramarital relationships, masturbation, sexual desire, and sexual distress. PPUs reported more sexual desire, pornography use, masturbation, and extramarital affairs than non-PPUs. Similar patterns in demographics, sexual history, and health were observed in pornography use across genders. The regression indicated being male (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.44-4.06), having lower education (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81-0.97), fewer children (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), higher masturbation (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.14-1.49), more extramarital relationship (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.07-2.67), less religiosity (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82-0.93), more sexual excitement (OR: 0.79, 95% CI:0.62-1), and more sexual distress (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02-1.32) were associated with pornography use. Two-way ANOVA found no significant effects of gender or pornography use on sexual satisfaction. Women had worse sexual function regardless of usage. Pornography users, regardless of gender, experienced higher sexual distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Pouralijan
- Reproductive Health and Midwifery Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tohid Square, Tehran, Iran
- Education Development Center, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Beáta Bőthe
- Psychology Department, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Sur Les Problèmes Conjugaux Et Les Agressions Sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Farnaz Farnam
- Reproductive Health and Midwifery Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tohid Square, Tehran, Iran.
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Poston AM, Oliver TL, Lanti A, Benning SD. Why College Women and Men Refrain from Sex Despite Desire: Development of the No Sex Despite Desire (NSDD) Measure. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38940432 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2368695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Humans have sex for myriad reasons, many unrelated to desire. But under what conditions does sexual desire not lead to sex? We investigated reasons college students refrain from sex despite desire and having an attractive, willing partner and relationships between these reasons and other aspects of sexuality and personality. For item generation, 604 participants identified 109 reasons why individuals may refrain from sex despite desire. For construct validation, 712 participants reported the frequency they experienced these reasons on a novel measure. Every reason evidencing discernible gender differences was endorsed more by women. These items largely concentrated in factors of Personal Insecurities and Principled Concerns. No gender differences emerged on the Partner Issues factor. Factors differentially related to sexuality and personality variables. Principled Concerns related negatively to sociosexual behavior and attitudes and positively to sexual traditionalism across genders. Partner Issues positively correlated with sociosexual behavior and desire for women. Personal Insecurities negatively correlated with sociosexual attitudes for men. Principled Concerns related to sexual functioning issues for women. Personal Insecurities and Principled Concerns related to worse sexual functioning for men. Personal Insecurities related to Neuroticism across genders. These results suggest potential directions for therapeutic interventions and further research.
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Nolin MC, Bőthe B, Villeneuve E, Vaillancourt-Morel MP. Associations Between Pornography Use Through Different Media and Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction Among Cohabiting Couples. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024:10.1007/s10508-024-02899-1. [PMID: 38858232 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02899-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Pornography can be used through multiple media and its associations with couples' relationship and sexual satisfaction are mixed. The aims of this study were to examine the proportion of use of different pornographic media (i.e., videos, pictures, audio material, and written material), including different contents (i.e., sexual activities and nudity), gender-based differences in the frequency of use of these media, and the associations between an individual's frequency of use of different pornographic media and their own and their partner's sexual and relationship satisfaction, considering potential gender differences. A sample of 706 adult couples (1368 participants; Mage = 32.19 years) completed online self-report questionnaires. Results of actor-partner interdependence models indicated that video use was associated with lower relationship and sexual satisfaction, and partners' lower sexual satisfaction. Picture use was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and partners' lower sexual satisfaction. Written material use was associated with lower sexual satisfaction. Cisgender women's audio use was associated with their own higher sexual satisfaction, whereas cisgender men's audio use was associated with their partner's lower sexual satisfaction. These findings suggest different associations with sexual and relationship satisfaction depending on the pornographic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Chloé Nolin
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Pavillon Michel-Sarrazin, 3600, rue Sainte-Marguerite, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada
| | - Beáta Bőthe
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elsa Villeneuve
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Pavillon Michel-Sarrazin, 3600, rue Sainte-Marguerite, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada.
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Krikova K, Klein S, Kampa M, Walter B, Stark R, Klucken T. Appetitive conditioning with pornographic stimuli elicits stronger activation in reward regions than monetary and gaming-related stimuli. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26711. [PMID: 38798103 PMCID: PMC11128778 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Appetitive conditioning plays an important role in the development and maintenance of pornography-use and gaming disorders. It is assumed that primary and secondary reinforcers are involved in these processes. Despite the common use of pornography and gaming in the general population appetitive conditioning processes in this context are still not well studied. This study aims to compare appetitive conditioning processes using primary (pornographic) and secondary (monetary and gaming-related) rewards as unconditioned stimuli (UCS) in the general population. Additionally, it investigates the conditioning processes with gaming-related stimuli as this type of UCS was not used in previous studies. Thirty-one subjects participated in a differential conditioning procedure in which four geometric symbols were paired with either pornographic, monetary, or gaming-related rewards or with nothing to become conditioned stimuli (CS + porn, CS + game, CS + money, and CS-) in an functional magnetic resonance imaging study. We observed elevated arousal and valence ratings as well as skin conductance responses for each CS+ condition compared to the CS-. On the neural level, we found activations during the presentation of the CS + porn in the bilateral nucleus accumbens, right medial orbitofrontal cortex, and the right ventral anterior cingulate cortex compared to the CS-, but no significant activations during CS + money and CS + game compared to the CS-. These results indicate that different processes emerge depending on whether primary and secondary rewards are presented separately or together in the same experimental paradigm. Additionally, monetary and gaming-related stimuli seem to have a lower appetitive value than pornographic rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya Krikova
- Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyUniversity of SiegenSiegenGermany
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems NeuroscienceJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION)Justus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Sanja Klein
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems NeuroscienceJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION)Justus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Miriam Kampa
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems NeuroscienceJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION)Justus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Bertram Walter
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems NeuroscienceJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION)Justus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems NeuroscienceJustus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION)Justus Liebig University GiessenGiessenGermany
- Center for Mind, Brain and BehaviorUniversities of Marburg and GießenMarburgGermany
| | - Tim Klucken
- Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyUniversity of SiegenSiegenGermany
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Zhang X, Fu T, Yang J, Li R, Liu X, Zheng L. Association Between Pornography Use, Sexism, and Sexual Violence Myth Acceptance in Chinese Men: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Realism. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38693691 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2346675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Pornography is spreading more and more widely due to websites, applications, and social media. It has attracted the attention of a large number of researchers who are sometimes divided on the impact of pornography. However, the relationship between pornography and sexual violence myths has received little scholarly attention in China. Based on the 3AM model and previous research, the study examined hostile sexism (HS) as a mediator and perceived realism as a moderator in the links between pornography use frequency and sexual violence myths in a sample of Chinese men (N = 376). The results showed that although pornography use and sexual violence myths did not directly correlate with one another, there was an indirect correlation through HS. Further, perceived realism moderated the relationship between pornography use frequency and HS. When participants' perceived realism was high (i.e. +1 SD), the indirect effect of HS was strong; when participants' perceived realism was low (i.e. -1 SD), the indirect effect of HS was not significant. Taken together, the findings reveal the cross-cultural consistency of the 3AM theory in China, and the findings provide new insight into the potential impact of pornography on sexism. At the same time, the results suggest an increase in appropriate education and interventions to reduce the incidence of sexual violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
| | - Tianqi Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
| | - Jin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
| | - Rongrong Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University
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Sanz-Barbero B, Estévez-García JF, Madrona-Bonastre R, Vicens GR, Serra L, Vives-Cases C. Pornography, sexual orientation and ambivalent sexism in young adults in Spain. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:374. [PMID: 38317123 PMCID: PMC10840255 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17853-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND On line platforms offer access to an almost unlimited variety of pornographic material that shows high levels of sexism. Despite this fact, there are still few studies that assess the effect of pornography on sexism in young adults The aim of this study is to analyze the association of pornography consumption and sexual orientation with benevolent sexism (BS) and hostile sexism (HS) in young men and women. METHODS We surveyed 2,346 people aged 18-35 years old. Multiple regression models were carried out for BS and HS. The independent variables: current pornography consumption and sexual orientation. Covariates: socio-demographic variables -age, sex, level of education and place of birth-. RESULTS A) HS: Men who consumed pornography had higher median values of HS than those who did not [β(95%CI):2.39(0.67;4.10)]. Homosexual/ bisexual men displayed lower values of HS than heterosexual men [β(95%CI):-2.98(-4.52;-1.45)]. The increase in HS levels associated with pornography consumption was notably greater in homosexual and bisexual women relative to heterosexual women, where that pattern was not observed [β(95%CI for interaction): 2.27(0.11; 4.43)]. B) BS: Mean values of BS were observed to be lower for both women [β(95%CI):-2.16(-2.99;-1.32)] and men [β(95%CI):-4.30(-5.75;-2.86)] who consumed pornography compared to those who did not. Homosexual/bisexual men recorded mean values of BS lower than heterosexual men [β(95%CI):-3.10(-4.21;-1.99)]. CONCLUSIONS Pornography consumption is related to sexism and differs according to sex and sexual orientation. As sexism is the substratum of inequality between men and women, it is urgent to launch affective-sexual education programs for young people that take into account the determinants of sexism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sanz-Barbero
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Raquel Madrona-Bonastre
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Crta. San Vicente, S/N, 03690, Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain.
| | - Gemma Renart Vicens
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Serra
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Research Group On Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Crta. San Vicente, S/N, 03690, Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
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8
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Galper EF, Tindage MF. Let's Talk About Sex(ual Health): Young Adult Women's Disclosure of Their Pornography Use to Their Romantic Partners. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37772929 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2257687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Within romantic relationships, secret-keeping has been related to negative outcomes whereas self-disclosure has been related to positive outcomes. Exploring young adult women's pornography use disclosures to their romantic partners can provide further avenues for understanding aspects of sexual and relational health. Using an open-ended survey informed by the Revelation Risk Model (RRM), this study explored young adult women's reasons and perceived relational outcomes of disclosing their pornography use to their romantic partners. Data from 32 young adult women (M = 20.8 years old), were thematically analyzed. Women in our sample reported disclosing for three main reasons: disclosed to be close, disclosed because we are intimate, and speaking our minds. They also reported that their disclosures resulted in emotional, sexual, or no relational changes. Further, we found that women who engaged in more in-depth conversations following their pornography disclosures perceived there to be more positive relational changes in comparison to women who had surface-level conversations following their pornography disclosures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Galper
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina
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9
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Sanz-Barbero B, Pérez-Martínez V, Estévez-García JF, Vives-Cases C. Is sexual attraction and place of origin a moderator of sex in pornography consumption? Cross-sectional study on a representative sample of young adults. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1347. [PMID: 37442986 PMCID: PMC10339620 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16216-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pornography consumption is higher in men, but we do not know if this association can be modified by different variables, such as sexual attraction and place of origin. Given the impact pornography has on minors, there are limited studies that analyze the use of pornography in representative samples of the adult population. The aim was analyze the prevalence and factors associated with using pornography in young adult men and women, living in Spain, with different sexual attractions and different places of birth. METHODS Cross-sectional study with an online survey conducted with 2515 men and women aged between 18 and 35 years of age. The prevalence of pornography consumption is described and analyzed in the total sample and stratified by sex, according to socio-demographic and sexual attraction variables. The association between covariates and pornography consumption at some point in life was estimated with prevalence ratios (PR) obtained with the Poisson models of robust variance. DEPENDENT VARIABLE voluntarily using pornography at some point in life. Socio-demographic variables were included in the analysis: age, sex, level of education, place of birth. Sexual attraction was also analyzed. RESULTS In Spain, 94.7% of men between 18 and 34 years and 74.6% of women have voluntarily used pornography at some point in their life. The mean age to start using it is earlier in men [Mean:14.2; Standard Deviation (SD):2.3]. Bisexual/homosexual attraction (reference: heterosexual) increases the probability of using pornography in women [(PR (95%CI): 1.30 (1.22; 1.38)]. Yet this is not observed in men. In both sexes, the probability of using pornography increases with age [(PR (95%CI): 1.01(1.00; 1.01)] and coming from abroad (reference: native), being the effect of country of birth significantly higher in women [(PR (95%CI): 1.17 (1.09; 1.26)] than in men [(PR (95%CI): 1.04 (1.01; 1.07). CONCLUSIONS Public health programmes aimed at improving affective-sexual health should consider the high use of pornography among young adults in Spain, as well as those variables that increase its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sanz-Barbero
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Pérez-Martínez
- Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public health and History of Science Department, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | | | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public health and History of Science Department, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Irizarry R, Gallaher H, Samuel S, Soares J, Villela J. How the Rise of Problematic Pornography Consumption and the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Led to a Decrease in Physical Sexual Interactions and Relationships and an Increase in Addictive Behaviors and Cluster B Personality Traits: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2023; 15:e40539. [PMID: 37342297 PMCID: PMC10277752 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
On January 13, 2018, an alert was sent to Hawaii's people that a missile was heading toward them. People were in a state of alarm for 30 minutes before the government sent out a false alarm statement. Fifteen minutes after the message that told the people of Hawaii that they were not in danger went out, Pornhub's views spiked by 48%. On March 11, 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was designated a pandemic. By March 25, 2020, Pornhub's views had spiked to over 24%. We took the research available on problematic pornography consumption, also referred to as internet sex addiction, pornography addiction, and cybersex addiction, and compared that to the rise of pornography use since the year 2000 and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted pornography use and the effects it had on sexual and social relations. We also wanted to see if there is any association between pornography consumption and other addictive disorders and cluster B personality traits. There is currently no Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnosis for pornography addiction. We want to see if the data we gather can aid in identifying whether problematic pornography use has a place alongside other addictive disorders in the DSM-5. We hypothesize that inappropriate pornography consumption has increased since 2000, only to increase further during the pandemic. The null hypothesis, Ho, states there has been no change in the consumption of pornography since the 2000s. The alternative theory, Ha, says that the proportion of people who use pornography has increased over the past 23 years. As for other addictive disorders and cluster B personality traits, we hypothesize the research will show that greater than 50% of people exhibiting problematic pornography consumption will also have an additional addictive disorder and a cluster B personality trait. Our results support our hypothesis that during the COVID-19 pandemic, pornography consumption increased beyond the baseline. The results did not support our prediction of a significant association between other addictive disorders and cluster B personality traits with pornography consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haley Gallaher
- Medical School, Saint James School of Medicine, The Quarter, AIA
| | - Steven Samuel
- Medical School, Saint James School of Medicine, The Quarter, AIA
| | - Jason Soares
- Medical School, Saint James School of Medicine, The Quarter, AIA
| | - Julia Villela
- Medical School, Saint James School of Medicine, The Quarter, AIA
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11
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Lawless NJ, Karantzas GC, Knox L. The Development and Validation of the Pornography Use in Romantic Relationships Scale. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:1799-1818. [PMID: 36853349 PMCID: PMC10125950 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent reviews of the pornography literature have called for the development of valid and reliable measures that assess multiple facets of pornography use. Moreover, despite pornography use having important implications for romantic relationships, there are currently no self-report assessments of pornography use specifically within the context of romantic relationships. To address these limitations, the current paper reports on two studies regarding the development and psychometric evaluation of a 38-item multidimensional measure of pornography use within the context of romantic relationships: the Pornography Use in Romantic Relationships Scale (PURRS). Study 1 (n = 739) reports on an Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analytic approach to determine the factor structure of the PURRS. Study 2 (n = 765) reports on the cross-validation of the factor structure of the PURRS, before assessing the criterion validity of the measure. The PURRS exhibited good internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity. The findings suggest that the PURRS is best modeled by 13 first-order factors, though a higher-order factor structure comprising four broad factors may also be used. The PURRS significantly extends on past assessments of pornography use, and in particular, advances the assessment and study of pornography use within the context of romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Lawless
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Gery C Karantzas
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Laura Knox
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia
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12
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Su Y, Zheng L, Zheng Y. Pornography Use and Mental Health Problems in the Chinese Population: Examining the Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence Model. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37074351 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2201255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Pornography has become increasingly prevalent worldwide with the development of the Internet, and considerable research on the effects of pornography use has emerged. Based on existing research and the Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence (PPMI) model, we examined problematic pornography use (PPU) as a mediator and moral disapproval of pornography use as a moderator in the links between pornography use frequency and mental health problems in a Chinese sample (N = 833). Our results support the completely mediated effect of PPU (ab = 0.16) and the moderated effect of moral disapproval of pornography use on the association between pornography use frequency and PPU. Pornography use frequency was strongly associated with PPU when participants experienced high moral incongruence (MI), and the indirect effect of PPU was weaker (ab = 0.13) at the lower level of moderator (-1 SD), and stronger (ab = 0.23) at the higher level of moderator (+1 SD). However, the direct effect of MI on mental health problems was not supported. This study advances our understanding of the internal mechanism between pornography use and mental health and extends the PPMI model to the Chinese cultural context (characterized as low religiosity and sexually conservative). The findings confirm the cross-cultural consistency of the PPMI model in China and highlight another important source of MI besides religiosity: cultural characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchen Su
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
| | - Lijun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
| | - Yong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University
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Putkinen V, Nazari-Farsani S, Karjalainen T, Santavirta S, Hudson M, Seppälä K, Sun L, Karlsson HK, Hirvonen J, Nummenmaa L. Pattern recognition reveals sex-dependent neural substrates of sexual perception. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:2543-2556. [PMID: 36773282 PMCID: PMC10028630 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in brain activity evoked by sexual stimuli remain elusive despite robust evidence for stronger enjoyment of and interest toward sexual stimuli in men than in women. To test whether visual sexual stimuli evoke different brain activity patterns in men and women, we measured hemodynamic brain activity induced by visual sexual stimuli in two experiments with 91 subjects (46 males). In one experiment, the subjects viewed sexual and nonsexual film clips, and dynamic annotations for nudity in the clips were used to predict hemodynamic activity. In the second experiment, the subjects viewed sexual and nonsexual pictures in an event-related design. Men showed stronger activation than women in the visual and prefrontal cortices and dorsal attention network in both experiments. Furthermore, using multivariate pattern classification we could accurately predict the sex of the subject on the basis of the brain activity elicited by the sexual stimuli. The classification generalized across the experiments indicating that the sex differences were task-independent. Eye tracking data obtained from an independent sample of subjects (N = 110) showed that men looked longer than women at the chest area of the nude female actors in the film clips. These results indicate that visual sexual stimuli evoke discernible brain activity patterns in men and women which may reflect stronger attentional engagement with sexual stimuli in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesa Putkinen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Sanaz Nazari-Farsani
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Tomi Karjalainen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Severi Santavirta
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Matthew Hudson
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Kerttu Seppälä
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Lihua Sun
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Henry K Karlsson
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Hirvonen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Lauri Nummenmaa
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Maitland DWM, Neilson EC. 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. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2023; 49:739-754. [PMID: 36974348 PMCID: PMC10522785 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2023.2193182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Malaeb D, Hallit S, Obeid S. Pornography Use among Lebanese Adults: Association with Loneliness and Fear of Commitment. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060795. [PMID: 36981451 PMCID: PMC10048288 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Sexuality is a prohibited topic about which knowledge is highly lacking among Arabs compared to Westerners, due to religious restrictions. A majority of people believes that any use of pornography is a toxic conduct that will have negative repercussions; these beliefs only shame those who engage in this behavior. Consumption of pornography can be attributed to self-reported reasons such as loneliness and fear of commitment. To date, there has been a dearth of research in Lebanon concerning pornography use. Hence, this study aims to assess the correlation between loneliness, fear of commitment, and internet pornography use among Lebanese adults. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted between October and November 2020 assessed pornography use through the Cyber-Pornography Use Inventory, Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and Fear of commitment scale. It enrolled 653 adults from all Lebanese geographic areas. (3) Results: Women compared to men and Muslims compared to Christians were significantly associated with lower pornography addictive patterns scores, whereas more fear of commitment was significantly associated with higher pornography addictive patterns scores. More fear of commitment and more loneliness were significantly associated with higher having guilt regarding online porn use scores. Muslims compared to Christians had significantly lower online sexual behaviors scores. (4) Conclusions: Further research is recommended to properly assess internet pornography use and develop appropriate treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman P.O. Box 4184, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib P.O. Box 60096, Lebanon
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Department of Social and Education Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos 4504, Lebanon
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16
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN. Pornography Use, Problematic Pornography Use, and Potential Impacts on Partners and Relationships. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00468-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
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17
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Marino C, Melodia F, Pivetta E, Mansueto G, Palmieri S, Caselli G, Canale N, Vieno A, Conti F, Spada MM. Desire thinking and craving as predictors of problematic Internet pornography use in women and men. Addict Behav 2023; 136:107469. [PMID: 36055058 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION According to the recent adaptation of the I-PACE model, desire thinking and craving might be closely related to problematic Internet pornography use. The overall aim of the present study was to investigate the role of two components of desire thinking (imaginal prefiguration and verbal perseveration) and craving in problematic Internet pornography use. Furthermore, we examined gender differences in the underlying mechanism linking desire thinking to problematic Internet pornography use. METHOD A total of 414 Italian adults (mean age = 27.55 years, SD = 6.13; age range = 18-58; 53.6 % men) participated in this study. Participants completed an online survey to assess problematic Internet pornography use, pornography craving, desire thinking and problematic Internet use. Path analyses and a multi-group approach were used to test the relationships among variables and to explore gender differences. RESULTS Imaginal prefiguration was associated to pornography craving which, in turn, was associated to verbal perseveration as proximal antecedent of problematic Internet pornography use, above and beyond the effect of age, relationship status, and problematic Internet use. Two paths significantly differed between men and women: the path between verbal perseveration and problematic Internet pornography, which for women was weaker and did not reach significance; and the path between problematic Internet use and problematic Internet pornography use that was not significant for women. CONCLUSIONS In line with the I-PACE model, the present study provided support for the potential role of desire thinking in problematic Internet pornography use as a specific Internet-use disorder and expanded the literature in the field by testing unexplored gender differences. Preventive and clinical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marino
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.
| | - Fiordalisa Melodia
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Erika Pivetta
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Mansueto
- Studi Cognitivi, Cognitive Psychotherapy School and Research Center, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Sara Palmieri
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK; Studi Cognitivi, Cognitive Psychotherapy School and Research Center, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Caselli
- Studi Cognitivi, Cognitive Psychotherapy School and Research Center, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Natale Canale
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessio Vieno
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Francesca Conti
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Marcantonio M Spada
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.
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Busch TM, Penniston TL, Conrads GS, Dempsey MR, Wilson SM, Chivers ML. A Penny for Your (Sexual) Thoughts: Qualitative Analysis of Women's Self-Described Reactions to Sexual and Nonsexual Stimuli. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3749-3763. [PMID: 35978201 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02325-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Women display a wide range of subjective (self-reported), physiological (genital response), and emotional responses to sexual stimuli. Sexual responses are often assessed using quantitative methodologies; qualitative data can corroborate quantitative data and reveal novel information and avenues for discovery for understanding variations in patterns of sexual response. The current study examined women's (n = 148) responses to various sexual and non-sexual stimuli through open-ended, free response thought journals immediately after watching various neutral (nature themed) and sexually explicit video clips (e.g., solitary masturbation, intercourse). A qualitative content analysis of 842 responses was conducted by five independent coders to determine participants' thoughts immediately after viewing stimuli. Prominent themes included: (1) stimulus appraisals; (2) emotional expressions; and (3) self-reflections and disclosures, which further included participants' sexual-self-disclosures; (4) various degrees of sexual arousal (or lack thereof); and (5) sexual and non-sexual desires. Additional analyses include frequencies and comparisons of specific themes between stimulus types. Findings contribute to understanding cognitive and emotional components of sexual response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Busch
- Human Behavior Faculty, College of Southern Nevada, 700 College Dr., Building B #220, Henderson, NV, 89002, USA.
| | | | - Gretha S Conrads
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Mara R Dempsey
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sara M Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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19
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Sculley J, Watkins CD. The Great Porn Experiment V2.0: Sexual Arousal Reduces the Salience of Familiar Women When Heterosexual Men Judge Their Attractiveness. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3071-3082. [PMID: 35790609 PMCID: PMC9363392 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pornography has become widely accessible in recent years due to its integration with the Internet, generating social scientific and moralistic debate on potential "media effects," given correlations between consumption and various sexual traits and behaviors. One popular public debate (Wilson, 2012) claimed that exposure to Internet pornography has addictive qualities that could impact men's sexual relationships, underpinned by the "Coolidge effect," where males are sexually motivated by the presence of novel mates. As claims about Internet and sexual addictions are scientifically controversial, we provide a direct experimental test of his proposal. Adapting a paradigm used to examine "Coolidge-like" effects in men, we examined the extent to which exposure to images of pornographic actresses altered men's attractiveness ratings of (1) familiar faces/bodies on second viewing and (2) familiar versus novel women's faces/bodies. Independent of slideshow content (pornographic versus clothed versions of same actress), heterosexual men were less attracted to familiar bodies, and homosexual men were less attracted to familiar women (faces and bodies), suggesting that mere visual exposure to attractive women moderated men's preferences. However, consistent with one of our preregistered predictions, heterosexual but not homosexual men's preferences for familiar versus novel women were moderated by slideshow content such that familiar women were less salient on the attractiveness dimension compared to novel women when sexual arousal was greater (pornographic versus clothed slideshows). In sum, our findings demonstrate that visual exposure/sexual arousal moderates attractiveness perceptions, albeit that much greater nuance is required considering earlier claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Sculley
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee, DD11HG, UK
| | - Christopher D Watkins
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee, DD11HG, UK.
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21
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Klein S, Krikova K, Antons S, Brand M, Klucken T, Stark R. Reward Responsiveness, Learning, and Valuation Implicated in Problematic Pornography Use — a Research Domain Criteria Perspective. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00423-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Problematic pornography use (PPU) describes a pattern of behavior characterized by excessive time spent using or thinking about pornography and continued use despite negative consequences. To help advance the understanding of transdiagnostic underlying psychological and neurobiological mechanisms in PPU, we aim to review existing evidence on these mechanisms focusing on positive valence systems within the transdiagnostic Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework.
Recent Findings
Reward anticipation processes seem to be increased in individuals with PPU symptoms when they anticipate sexual stimuli compared with other rewards. Studies further suggest that the initial neural and attentional responses to sexual rewards compared with different control stimuli are also increased in individuals with PPU symptoms, as are conditioned responses in sexual reward learning paradigms. Sexual reward valuation studies point towards an increased neural value differentiation with increasing PPU symptoms.
Summary
The current state of evidence indicates that positive valence systems are altered in persons with PPU. This framework of organizing evidence may aid in elucidating PPU development and maintenance as well as planning future studies.
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22
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Internet Addiction and Polish Women’s Sexual Functioning: The Role of Social Media, Online Pornography, and Game Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Online Surveys Based on FSFI and BSMAS Questionnaires. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138193. [PMID: 35805852 PMCID: PMC9266178 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the relationship between social media use and women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected between April and November 2021. Online surveys including the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) questionnaires were distributed to young, sexually active women. Information was collected on their demographics, sexual life, and use of social media. We enrolled 546 women (mean age 23.07 ± 4.69). In general, 5.68% of the women were at high risk of social media addiction. Social media addiction had a negative impact on FSFI scores, while pornography use had a positive effect on women’s sexual functioning. Users of dating apps also obtained lower FSFI scores than non-users. No differences in FSFI scores were observed between gamers and non-gamers. The impact of time spent on social media on FSFI scores was not significant. We conclude that social media addiction negatively affected women’s sexual functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Biota I, Dosil-Santamaria M, Mondragon NI, Ozamiz-Etxebarria N. Analyzing University Students' Perceptions Regarding Mainstream Pornography and Its Link to SDG5. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:8055. [PMID: 35805712 PMCID: PMC9265877 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Violence against women and girls continues to be a widespread problem, and its elimination is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 5 toward achieving gender equality. One of the main causes of this violence is the structural sexism present in societies that continues to be perpetuated through pornography, especially among young people. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to analyze the consumption of pornography among young people, studying its effects and relationship with affective-sexual education. METHODS This study was carried out with a sample of 280 students in the north of Spain. The ages of the entire sample ranged from 18 to 37 years (M = 20.3, SD = 2.6). From the sample, 78.9% (n = 221) define their gender identity as women and 21.1% (n = 59) define their gender identity as men; no person within this research self-identify as non-binary. The instrument used was the Survey on Affective-sexual Education and Pornography (Ballester et al., 2019). The sample was recruited by snowball sampling. RESULTS The results of the present study show that the average age at which people start watching pornography is 10.4 years. The majority of young people consume it to satisfy their curiosity. In addition, with regard to gender, boys consume more pornography, especially for masturbation. Finally, 20.5% of the participants believe that the sexual education they have received has not been adequate, and most of them solve their sexual doubts by asking friends. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that it is necessary to improve the affective-sexual education provided in schools, since students consume pornography at a very early age, and young people have normalized its consumption to address their curiosity and satisfy their sexual needs. Finally, the impact of pornography consumption on SDG5 was reflected on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itsaso Biota
- Department of Education Sciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
| | - Maria Dosil-Santamaria
- Department of Research and Diagnostic Methods in Education, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
| | - Nahia Idoiaga Mondragon
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
| | - Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain;
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Stark R, Markert C, Kruse O, Walter B, Strahler J, Klein S. Individual cortisol response to acute stress influences neural processing of sexual cues. J Behav Addict 2022; 11:506-519. [PMID: 35895611 PMCID: PMC9295234 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Problematic pornography use can be conceptualized as an impulse control disorder or alternatively as a behavioral addiction. Stress is an important trigger in addiction, but less is known about the neural effect of stress in problematic pornography use. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the effect of stress during the anticipation and viewing of sexually explicit material while considering person characteristics related to potentially being at risk for developing problematic pornography use. METHODS In an fMRI study (n = 157 men, age: mean = 25.46, SD = 4.11) we used a sexual incentive delay task. A social stress test was used to induce stress in half of the participants. Salivary cortisol was repeatedly measured and person characteristics were considered moderating the effects of cortisol response. RESULTS We found no group differences in the neural responses during the anticipation phase, but a higher reactivity to sexual stimuli in the dACC in the stress group. Acute stress activated a pronounced cortisol response, which positively correlated with neural activations in the reward system (NAcc, dACC) to sexual cues. Further, the individual time spent on pornography use moderated the effect of cortisol in some regions of the reward system (dACC, mOFC). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that acute stress related increases in cortisol can enhance the incentive value of cues announcing sexual stimuli. This might explain why acute stress is considered a trigger of pornography use and relapse and why individual stress response might be a risk factor for developing a problematic pornography use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Charlotte Markert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
| | - Onno Kruse
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Bertram Walter
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- Sportpsychology, Institute of Sport and Sport Sciences, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanja Klein
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
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25
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Cardoso J, Ramos C, Brito J, Almeida TC. Predictors of Pornography Use: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Loneliness. J Sex Med 2022; 19:620-628. [PMID: 35165051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pleasure-seeking reasons are the main drivers of pornography use (PU), but the regulation of unpleasant states, namely distraction from or suppression of negative emotions and stress relief, are other potential predictors of this behavior. AIM Our main objective is to develop an explanatory model of problematic PU, assessing difficulties in emotion regulation, loneliness, perceived stress, as well as age and gender as predictors. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a total of 340 participants (M = 28.50 years, SD = 10.32). Self-report inventories were administered that measured problematic PU (PPCS), difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS-SF), loneliness (UCLALS-3), and perceived stress (PSS-10). RESULTS The findings were indicative of recreational PU, with only a small number of participants (4.6%) reporting a possible problematic PU. There were statistically significant gender differences (F(1,337) = 33.306, P ≤ .001), namely that men were more likely to report problematic PU (M = 36.03, SD = 21.30) than women (M = 25.32, SD = 9.24). Problematic PU was significantly and positively correlated either with difficulties in emotion regulation, loneliness, perceived stress and age. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that difficulties in emotion regulation (β = 0.259, P ≤ .001), loneliness (β = 0.209, P = .001), and gender (β = -0.377, P ≤ .001) define the best subset of predictors of problematic PU. Age and perceived stress were not selected as predictors in this subset. CLINICAL TRANSLATION The promotion of better emotion regulation abilities and strategies for adaptive coping with loneliness must be taken into consideration, namely in cases of problematic PU or compulsive sexual behavior disorder. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS Being a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample and the fact that these variables explain only a part of the explained variance of the problematic PU are the main limitations. Despite the limitations, the principal contribution of this study is the understanding that gender, difficulties in emotion regulation, and loneliness remain as main predictors of problematic PU, even when combined in the explanatory model. CONCLUSION The current study provides a better understanding of the predictors of problematic PU related with the reduction or avoidance of unpleasant states. Emotion regulation, loneliness, and perceived stress, studied simultaneously, provide a better understanding of the complex relationships between these factors and problematic PU. Difficulties in emotion regulation and loneliness are predictors of higher problematic PU, as well as the expected gender effect. Cardoso J, Ramos C, Brito J, et al. Predictors of Pornography Use: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Loneliness. J Sex Med 2022;19:620-628.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cardoso
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), LabPSI - Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Catarina Ramos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), LabPSI - Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Caparica, Portugal
| | - José Brito
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Telma C Almeida
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), LabPSI - Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Campus Universitário, Caparica, Portugal
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McVey L, Tyler M, Gurrieri L. ‘Care’ as camouflaging capitalism and obscuring harm: The user-generated pornography market and women's inequality. WOMENS STUDIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wsif.2022.102573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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27
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Do Pornography Use and Masturbation Frequency Play a Role in Delayed/Inhibited Ejaculation during Partnered Sex? A Comprehensive and Detailed Analysis. SEXES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sexes3010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of masturbation frequency and pornography use on sexual response during partnered sex has been controversial, the result of mixed and inconsistent findings. However, studies investigating this relationship have often suffered from methodological shortcomings. We investigated the role of masturbation frequency and pornography use on both the occurrence and severity of delayed/inhibited ejaculation (DE), an increasingly common sexual problem among men. We did so in a large (nonclinical) multinational sample of cisgender men (N = 2332; mean age = 40.3, SE = 0.31) within a multivariate context that relied on multiple (and, when possible, standardized) assessments of sexual dysfunctions while controlling for possible confounding variables. Results indicated a weak, inconsistent, and sometimes absent association between the frequency of pornography use and DE symptomology and/or severity. In contrast, both poorer erectile functioning and anxiety/depression represented consistent and strong predictors of DE and, to a lesser extent, DE severity. Other factors, including relationship satisfaction, sexual interest, and masturbation frequency, were significantly though moderately to weakly associated with DE. In conclusion, associations (or sometimes lack thereof) between masturbation frequency, pornography use, and delayed ejaculation are more clearly understood when analyzed in a multivariate context that controls for possible confounding effects.
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Komlenac N, Hochleitner M. Associations Between Pornography Consumption, Sexual Flexibility, and Sexual Functioning Among Austrian Adults. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:1323-1336. [PMID: 34984569 PMCID: PMC8888391 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02201-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
To date, only a few studies have examined the associations between pornography consumption and sexual functioning. The Acquisition, Activation, Application Model (3AM) indicates that the frequency of pornography consumption and the perceived realism of pornography may influence whether sexual scripts are acquired from viewed pornography. Having sexual scripts that are alternative to their preferred sexual behaviors may help people switch to alternative sexual behavior when sexual problems arise. The current study analyzed whether frequent pornography consumption was associated with greater sexual flexibility and greater sexual functioning. Additionally, the perceived realism of pornography consumption was tested as a moderator of those associations. At an Austrian medical university, an online cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 644 medical students (54% women and 46% men; Mage = 24.1 years, SD = 3.8). The participants were asked about their pornography consumption, partnered sexual activity, sexual flexibility, perceived realism of pornography, and sexual functioning. Manifest path analyses revealed direct and indirect associations between frequent pornography consumption and greater sexual functioning through greater sexual flexibility in women but not in men. Perceived realism did not moderate those associations. In conclusion, our study was in line with previous studies that found no significant associations between men's pornography consumption and sexual functioning in men. However, some women may expand their sexual scripts and learn new sexual behaviors from pornography consumption, which may help with their sexual functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Komlenac
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Fritz-Pregl Strasse 3, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Margarethe Hochleitner
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Fritz-Pregl Strasse 3, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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Tillman M, Wells BE. An Intersectional Feminist Analysis of Women's Experiences of Authenticity in Pornography. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2022:1-17. [PMID: 35041561 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.2024489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most pornography research has examined negative consequences of use among heterosexual men. Scant research has explored the benefits of using pornography among women, though research does indicate several potential benefits, including increased sexual self-esteem, sexual knowledge, and sexual communication. Research suggests that women may maximize these benefits when they perceive pornography to be authentic. To more fully understand the importance and perceptions of authenticity in pornography, we analyzed qualitative interviews with 24 women in the U.S. who reported recent pornography use. Ages ranged from 22 to 53 (M = 30.33, SD = 6.91), 62.5% were white, and most (79.2%) reported a sexual identity other than heterosexual. Thematic analyses indicated that authenticity was important for most women's enjoyment of pornography, partially via its utility in reducing guilt and emotional labor (i.e., the work needed to enjoy or believe the content). Furthermore, women's intersectional identities, such as race and sexual orientation, influenced their experiences of guilt and emotional labor. Finally, women determined authenticity within pornography in three primary ways: analyzing appearance, performance, and intimacy. Results suggest research, clinical, and educational opportunities to support women's sexual exploration and pleasure via engagement with pornography.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brooke E Wells
- Center for Human Sexuality Studies, Widener University
- Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative, Widener University
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Sex on the Screen: A Content Analysis of Free Internet Pornography Depicting Mixed-Sex Threesomes from 2012-2020. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2021; 11:1555-1570. [PMID: 34940388 PMCID: PMC8700214 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe11040110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viewing online pornography is common among US adults, with mixed-sex threesome (MST) videos being one of the top 10 most popular categories of pornography for both men and women. The current content analysis applied sexual script theory to understand the themes present in these mixed-sex threesome videos. Independent coders viewed a total of 50 videos (25 MMF and 25 FFM) at each timepoint (2012, 2015, 2020) and coded for different sexual behaviors and themes in each video. By examining both same-sex (female–female, male–male) and other-sex (female–male) behaviors, as well as themes of aggression and sexual initiation in different videos and across three timepoints, it was determined that other-sex behaviors are more common in MST videos than same-sex behaviors. Same-sex behaviors between two female actors were more common than same-sex behaviors between two male actors. Aggression was a common theme in videos, with male actors being more aggressive on average than female actors. Most of these trends did not change across 8 years, suggesting that the impacts of traditional sexual scripts are pervasive in pornography, even in current online content. Important implications for both researchers and clinical professionals are discussed.
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Mirzaei Y, Zare S, Morrison TG. Hijab Pornography: A Content Analysis of Internet Pornographic Videos. Violence Against Women 2021; 28:1420-1440. [PMID: 34156884 PMCID: PMC8941712 DOI: 10.1177/10778012211021125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A content analysis was conducted to explore sexual indicators of aggression,
objectification, exploitation, and agency in 50 “hijab” pornographic videos. Our
findings suggest that women were the target of aggressive acts in all videos,
with gagging (42%) and spanking (38%) being the most common. Also, in comparison
with men, women were more likely to be objectified and exploited, and less
likely to possess agency. Limitations of the current study and directions for
future research are detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaser Mirzaei
- University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Canada
- Yaser Mirzaei, Department of Psychology,
University of Saskatchewan, 9 Campus Drive, ARST 76A, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada S7N 5A5.
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Komlenac N, Hochleitner M. Heterosexual-identified men’s endorsement of masculinity ideologies moderates associations between pornography consumption, body satisfaction and sexual functioning. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.1936616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Komlenac
- Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Markert C, Klein S, Strahler J, Kruse O, Stark R. Sexual incentive delay in the scanner: Sexual cue and reward processing, and links to problematic porn consumption and sexual motivation. J Behav Addict 2021; 10:65-76. [PMID: 33822748 PMCID: PMC8969854 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2021.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The use of pornography, while unproblematic for the majority, can grow into addiction-like behavior which in its extreme form is labeled as compulsive sexual behavioral disorder in the ICD-11 (WHO, 2018). The aim of this study was to investigate the addiction-specific reactivity to cues in order to better understand underlying mechanisms in the development of this disorder. METHODS We have used an optimized Sexual Incentive Delay Task to study brain activity in reward associated brain areas during an anticipation phase (with cues predicting pornographic videos, control videos or no videos) and a corresponding delivery phase in healthy men. Correlations to indicators of problematic pornography use, the time spent on pornography use, and trait sexual motivation were analyzed. RESULTS The results of 74 men showed that reward-related brain areas (amygdala, dorsal cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, thalamus, putamen, caudate nucleus, and insula) were significantly more activated by both the pornographic videos and the pornographic cues than by control videos and control cues, respectively. However, we found no relationship between these activations and indicators of problematic pornography use, time spent on pornography use, or with trait sexual motivation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The activity in reward-related brain areas to both visual sexual stimuli as well as cues indicates that optimization of the Sexual Incentive Delay Task was successful. Presumably, associations between reward-related brain activity and indicators for problematic or pathological pornography use might only occur in samples with increased levels and not in a rather healthy sample used in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Markert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging (BION), University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany,Corresponding author E-mail:
| | - Sanja Klein
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging (BION), University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging (BION), University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Onno Kruse
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging (BION), University of Giessen, Germany,Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, University of Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging (BION), University of Giessen, Germany,Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, Germany
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Seehuus M, Handy AB, Stanton AM. Change in the Popularity of Transgressive Content in Written Erotica between 2000 and 2016. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2021; 58:314-321. [PMID: 32011176 PMCID: PMC8936191 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1716206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is a widely held belief that the amount and intensity of transgressive content in pornography have been rising. Reliably assessing for such an increase, however, is complicated by methodological factors including hand-coding content using conflicting a priori definitions of what constitutes transgressive content. In response to those limitations, the present study used the results of a published empirical content analysis of ~250,000 erotic stories written over 16 years to determine if the amount or popularity of transgressive content (stories high in the themes of violence, family (incest), or BDSM) has changed in that timeframe. Results from the present study indicated no meaningful increase in either the amount of content with those themes or popularity (as measured by story views per day) of any of the three transgressive themes within the erotic narratives over the 16-year period of analysis. These results, in addition to recent research presenting similar findings within pornographic video, do not support popular perceptions that erotic material is becoming increasingly transgressive. Rather, such content within internet-based erotic material, and particularly erotic narratives, appears to be relatively consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Seehuus
- Middlebury College, Psychology Department, Middlebury, Vermont
- University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Sciences, Vermont Psychological Services, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Ariel B. Handy
- The University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Department, Austin, Texas
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- The University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Department, Austin, Texas
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts
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Camilleri C, Perry JT, Sammut S. Compulsive Internet Pornography Use and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students in the United States. Front Psychol 2021; 11:613244. [PMID: 33510691 PMCID: PMC7835260 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sustained rise in negative mental health reports among university students is a source of continued global concern, and investigation continues into potential contributors to this rise. This includes the increased prevalence of risky sexual behaviors. Related is the increased prevalence of pornography use. Our study sought to explore the potential relationship between compulsive use of pornography and mental health in university students. Methods Our sample consisted of university students (N = 1031; 34% male, 66% female) from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio. An anonymous survey was sent to all students at the university over the age of 18. The survey was comprised of the following: (1) demographic questions, (2) questions on pornography use and perception, (3) a modified version of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (mCIUS) assessing various factors associated with compulsive internet pornography use, (4) questions assessing emotional and sexual states relative to pornography use (EmSS), and (5) the 21-question version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results Our results indicate that 56.6% of those surveyed reported lifetime pornography use, with a significantly higher proportion of males than females reporting such use. The majority of students reported accessing pornography through internet-related technologies. Additionally, 17.0, 20.4, and 13.5% of students reported severe or extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively, with compulsive pornography use significantly affecting all three mental health parameters in both sexes. Exploratory Factor Analysis identified three factors suggesting emotional coping, dependence and preoccupation for the mCIUS items and three factors reflecting interoceptive, impotent, and extrinsic characteristics for the EmSS items. Regression analysis indicated that various demographics, items pertaining to reduced control and social impairment, and other variables pertaining to pornography use predicted mental health outcomes. Faith, morals and personal motivation were the primary variables reported to help reduce pornography use. Conclusion Our analyses indicate a significant relationship between mental health and pornography use, including behaviors reflecting behavioral addictions, highlighting the necessity for a better understanding and consideration of the potential contribution of internet pornography to negative mental health among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Camilleri
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
| | - Justin T Perry
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
| | - Stephen Sammut
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
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Eljawad MA, Se'eda H, Ghozy S, El-Qushayri AE, Elsherif A, Elkassar AH, Atta-Allah MH, Ibrahim W, Elmahdy MA, Islam SMS. Pornography Use Prevalence and Associated Factors in Arab Countries: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study of 15,027 Individuals. J Sex Med 2021; 18:539-548. [PMID: 33526399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a tangible increase in pornography consumption during the past decade, with the absence of a large-scale study of Arab countries. AIM The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of pornography viewing and its associated risk factors in Arab countries. METHODS A large cross-sectional online survey was carried out recruiting participants without restrictions on the age, socioeconomic level, job, or educational level. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify possible risk factors for viewing porn and results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). OUTCOMES Main outcomes were pornography viewing (first exposure and frequency), the perceptions of this act, use of spare time, physical activity (exercising), and frequency of psychiatrist visits. RESULTS The final number of participants included in the study was 15027 participants with a mean age ± standard deviation of 23.82 years ± 24.99. Most of the participants were men (84.56%), living with parents (81.71%), and 60.51% university graduates. There were statistically significant differences (P < .001) in the attitude and practice of men compared with women throughout all tested variables. Frequent pornography viewing was associated with male gender (OR [95% CI] = 7.08 [6.43 to 7.81]; P < .001) and age group ≤15 years (OR [95% CI] = 1.33 [1.01 to 1.75]; P = .044). By contrast, higher education was inversely associated with viewing rates reaching the lowest level in PhD awardees (OR [95% CI] = 0.36 [0.26 to 0.51]; P = .003). It was also noted that regular exercising (OR [95% CI] = 0.66 [0.58 to 0.74]; P < .001) was associated with a reduction in pornography viewing rates. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Young age, male gender, and lower educational level are all predictors for higher pornography viewing and should be considered when designing public health intervention in a related context. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS This is the first large-scale multi-national survey to be conducted in Arab countries to investigate pornography viewing. The main limitations were the cross-sectional design (cannot indicate causality) and the self-report nature (liable to social desirability and recall bias). CONCLUSION Pornography viewing is common in Arab countries and associated with some personal and behavioral factors. Eljawad MA, Se'eda H, Ghozy S, et al. Pornography Use Prevalence and Associated Factors in Arab Countries: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Study of 15,027 Individuals. J Sex Med 2021;18:539-548.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abd Eljawad
- Internal Medicine Department, Jazan Armed Forces Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hussien Se'eda
- Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt; Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Sherief Ghozy
- Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | | | - Ahmed Elsherif
- Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt; Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hussein Elkassar
- Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt; Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mohammed H Atta-Allah
- Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt; Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael Ibrahim
- Academic Research Division, The Aware Academy, Cairo, Egypt; Student Counselor, Australian Islamic College, Kewdale, Australia
| | - Mohamed A Elmahdy
- Psychiatry Department, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar- University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
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The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pornography habits: a global analysis of Google Trends. Int J Impot Res 2020; 33:824-831. [PMID: 33249423 PMCID: PMC7699018 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-020-00380-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 spread globally, social distancing, self-isolation/quarantine, and national lockdowns have become crucial to control the pandemic. However, these measures may also lead to increases in social isolation, loneliness, and stress, which can alter the consumption of pornography habits. The aim of the study was thus to explore the interest pattern in pornography and coronavirus-themed pornography during the COVID-19 outbreak. Google Trends® was employed to determine the most popular porn websites (Porn, XNXX, PornHub, xVideos, and xHamster), and coronavirus-themed pornography worldwide and in six nations with different COVID-19 outbreak and self-isolation recommendations. We analyzed every search trend on Google® from January 9, 2020 to May 25, 2020 using “joint point regression analysis”. Comparisons of week relative search volume (WRSV) and temporal patterns were analyzed to assess the change of interest in search terms during nations lockdowns. Paired t-test was used to compare WRSV values among the porn websites during the national lockdowns and the equivalent timespan of the weeks in the previous 4 years. The research trend of almost every keyword increased with significant inflection points for those nations with a straight “stay at home orders” (China, Italy, Spain, and France). “PornHub” and “Porn” showed the highest increase of interest worldwide with an average weekend percentage change (AWPC) of 4.9 and 3.8, respectively. The mean WRSV for keywords in USA and Sweden did not show a similar increase as the other nations. The WRSV percentage change with the historical data had a peak during the straight nations’ lockdowns (p < 0.01). All the nations had a significant increase in WRSV coronavirus-themed pornography for each keyword (p < 0.01) with an AWPC, ranging worldwide between 18.5 and 61.8 (p < 0.01), after the beginning of self-quarantine. As strengths this study uses a big data technology to collect worldwide trend of interest, however, data are anonymous and do not allow analysis of subpopulation groups. In conclusion, we demonstrated an increased interest in pornography and coronavirus-themed pornography after the outbreak of COVID-19 in nations with a straight “stay at home orders”.
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Abstract
Technology is giving rise to artificial erotic agents, which we call erobots (erôs + bot). Erobots, such as virtual or augmented partners, erotic chatbots, and sex robots, increasingly expose humans to the possibility of intimacy and sexuality with artificial agents. Their advent has sparked academic and public debates: some denounce their risks (e.g., promotion of harmful sociosexual norms), while others defend their potential benefits (e.g., health, education, and research applications). Yet, the scientific study of human-machine erotic interaction is limited; no comprehensive theoretical models have been proposed and the empirical literature remains scarce. The current research programs investigating erotic technologies tend to focus on the risks and benefits of erobots, rather than providing solutions to resolve the former and enhance the latter. Moreover, we feel that these programs underestimate how humans and machines unpredictably interact and co-evolve, as well as the influence of sociocultural processes on technological development and meaning attribution. To comprehensively explore human-machine erotic interaction and co-evolution, we argue that we need a new unified transdisciplinary field of research-grounded in sexuality and technology positive frameworks-focusing on human-erobot interaction and co-evolution as well as guiding the development of beneficial erotic machines. We call this field Erobotics. As a first contribution to this new discipline, this article defines Erobotics and its related concepts; proposes a model of human-erobot interaction and co-evolution; and suggests a path to design beneficial erotic machines that could mitigate risks and enhance human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Dubé
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Dave Anctil
- Department of Philosophy, Jean-de-Brebeuf College, Montreal, QC Canada
- Observatoire sur les Impacts Sociétaux de l’Intelligence Artificielle et du Numérique, Laval University, Québec, QC Canada
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Klein S, Kruse O, Markert C, Tapia León I, Strahler J, Stark R. Subjective reward value of visual sexual stimuli is coded in human striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. Behav Brain Res 2020; 393:112792. [PMID: 32598998 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Human neuroimaging research suggests the existence of one core network for the subjective valuation of rewards, including the striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. However, there is little research on the neural representation of subjective reward values of visual sexual stimuli (VSS) and on the role of these subjective valuations in the development of related addictive behaviors. Here, we investigate how neural reactivity to VSS is connected to individual preference using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During the fMRI scan, 72 men viewed different VSS film clips. Ratings regarding valence and sexual arousal were collected and used as parametric modulators in the fMRI analysis. Subjects also filled out questionnaires on self-reported symptoms of problematic pornography use (PPU). Firstly, we found that neural reactivity towards VSS clips in the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus and orbitofrontal cortex was positively correlated with individual ratings of the respective VSS in all subjects. Second, the strength of the association between neural activity and sexual arousal ratings was positively correlated with self-reported symptoms of PPU. The first result suggests a precise appraisal of VSS according to individual preferences in established reward valuation regions. Secondly, stronger neural differentiation based on preference in participants with more PPU symptoms indicates an increased importance of VSS/preference fit in these individuals. This heightened correspondence between individual liking and neural activity may facilitate PPU development by increased signaling of incentive salience, thus boosting motivation to seek out and respond to these preferred stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Klein
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Onno Kruse
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Clinical Psychology, University Siegen, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Charlotte Markert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Isabell Tapia León
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Clinical Psychology, University Siegen, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Bender Institute for Neuroimaging (BION), Justus Liebig University, 35394 Giessen, Germany; Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior, Universities of Marburg and Giessen, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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Willis M, Canan SN, Jozkowski KN, Bridges AJ. Sexual Consent Communication in Best-Selling Pornography Films: A Content Analysis. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2020; 57:52-63. [PMID: 31483169 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1655522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Even though young people report learning about sex from pornography, most do not think this sexual medium teaches them about sexual consent communication. But research shows that people are also able to evaluate pornography as consensual or not. Therefore, we proposed that pornography depicts subtle sexual scripts regarding sexual consent communication. We conducted a content analysis of 50 20-minute segments within best-selling pornographic films from 2015. We systematically coded the presence of various consent communication cues in these films. Consent communication was often depicted; nonverbal cues were more frequent than verbal cues. We found that the films either directly or indirectly supported several sexual scripts: Explicit Verbal Consent Isn't Natural, Women are Indirect/Men are Direct, Sex Can Happen Without Ongoing Communication, Lower-Order Behaviors Don't Need Explicit Consent, and People Receiving Sexual Behaviors Can Consent by Doing Nothing. Further research is needed to examine whether viewers are acquiring, activating, or applying these scripts. Sex education programs could benefit from acknowledging how consent communication is modeled in pornography and by teaching about pornography literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malachi Willis
- Department of Health, Human Performance, & Recreation, University of Arkansas
| | - Sasha N Canan
- Department of Health and Physical Education, Monmouth University
| | - Kristen N Jozkowski
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Ana J Bridges
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas
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Grubbs JB, Wright PJ, Braden AL, Wilt JA, Kraus SW. Internet pornography use and sexual motivation: a systematic review and integration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23808985.2019.1584045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B. Grubbs
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, USA
| | - Paul J. Wright
- The Media School, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Abby L. Braden
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, USA
| | - Joshua A. Wilt
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Shane W. Kraus
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1 New England MIRECC, Bedford VAMC, Bedford, USA
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