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Ince C, Albertella L, Liu C, Tiego J, Fontenelle LF, Chamberlain SR, Yücel M, Rotaru K. Problematic pornography use and novel patterns of escalating use: A cross-sectional network analysis with two independent samples. Addict Behav 2024; 156:108048. [PMID: 38761685 PMCID: PMC7616041 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108048] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Modern internet pornography allows users to harness sexual novelty in numerous ways, which can be used to overcome desensitisation through increasing volume of use (quantitative tolerance), progressing to more stimulating genres (qualitative escalation), skipping between stimuli (tab-jumping), delaying orgasm ('edging'), and engaging in pornographic binges. However, existing research has not yet evaluated how these potentially reciprocal consumption patterns relate to problematic pornography use (PPU). To this end, we recruited two independent samples of male pornography users (N1 = 1,356, Mage = 36.86, SD = 11.26; N2 = 944, Mage = 38.69, SD = 12.26) and examined the relationships between these behavioural dimensions and self-reported difficulties in controlling one's pornography use. Data were analysed through the network analysis approach (using Gaussian graphical models). As hypothesised, i) quantitative tolerance was centrally placed within the overall network, and ii) acted as a statistical bridge node between other patterns of pornography use (e.g., pornographic binges), and all measured facets of PPU. Our results are consistent with other emerging literature suggesting that tolerance, pornographic binges, tab-jumping, and edging behaviours as relevant features ofPPU, and that upscaling overall usage may connect broader patterns of use with problematic engagement. Clinical and theoretical implications, as well as future research directions, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Campbell Ince
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia.
| | - Lucy Albertella
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia
| | - Jeggan Tiego
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia; Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, 770 Blackburn Rd, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Leonardo F Fontenelle
- Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia; Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Brazil
| | - Samuel R Chamberlain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Murat Yücel
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Kristian Rotaru
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Brain Park, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia; Monash Business School, Monash University, Australia
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN, Granero R, Uríszar JC, Tarragón E, Chiclana Actis C, Testa G, Fernández-Aranda F, Jiménez-Murcia S. Understanding the Co-occurrence of Gambling Disorder and Problematic Pornography Use: Exploring Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors. J Gambl Stud 2023:10.1007/s10899-023-10274-3. [PMID: 38151657 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10274-3] [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] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The co-occurrence between gambling disorder (GD) and problematic pornography use (PPU) has not yet been explored. Therefore, the present study compared (a) sociodemographic variables, (b) GD-related factors, (c) substance use, (d) psychopathology, (e) personality features, (f) impulsivity, and (g) emotion regulation between individuals with GD (GD group) and those with co-occurring GD and PPU (GD+PPU group). The sample consisted of 359 treatment-seeking individuals with GD: n = 332 individuals had GD only (GD group) and n = 37 individuals had GD and co-occurring PPU (GD+PPU group). GD severity, impulsivity, psychopathology, personality, emotion regulation, and other sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed. No between-group differences in sociodemographic measures were observed. The GD+PPU group demonstrated greater GD severity and a higher likelihood of substance use compared to those without PPU. Furthermore, the presence of PPU was associated with worse psychopathology, higher impulsivity (except for lack of premeditation and positive urgency), more difficulties in emotion regulation (except for non-acceptance of emotions and limited access to emotions), and a personality profile characterized by lower levels of self-directedness and cooperativeness. The co-occurrence of GD and PPU seems associated with a more dysfunctional clinical profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Roser Granero
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Uríszar
- Clinical Psychology Unit, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Sub-Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling, Directorate General for Taxation and Gambling, Secretariat of Finance, Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Chiclana Actis
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
- Unidad de Sexología Clínica y Salud Sexual, Consulta Dr. Carlos Chiclana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giulia Testa
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL and CIBERObn, c/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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Chen L, Wang D, Wang H, Zhang Y, Jiang X. Moderating Role of Sexual Attitudes in the Association between Online Sexual Activity and Problematic Pornography Use: Evidence from the Chinese Community and Help-Seeking Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:555-572. [PMID: 38601807 PMCID: PMC10903587 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2257688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of sexual attitudes in the association between online sexual activity (OSA) and problematic pornography use (PPU) in the Chinese context. Specifically, we examined whether incongruence stemming from attitudes (i.e., disapproval of nonmarital and casual sex but engaging in OSA) amplifies the perception of PPU. Methods We recruited two samples of Chinese men, one from the community (N1 = 525) and the other comprising help-seeking individuals (N2 = 578). Results Sexual attitudes moderate the relationship between OSA and PPU in both samples, with the predictive influence of OSA on PPU weakening among individuals with a relatively permissive attitude (scored one SD above the mean of sexual attitudes), and strengthened among individuals with a relatively conservative attitude (scored one SD below the mean of sexual attitudes). Conclusions In the conservative sexual cultural context of China, a relatively conservative sexual attitude might strengthen the association between OSA and PPU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chen
- Department of Psychology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dian Wang
- Department of Psychology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haihua Wang
- Department of Psychology, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Physical Education, Fuzhou University, 2 Wulongjiangbei Avenue, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350108, China
| | - Xiaoliu Jiang
- Department of Social Psychology, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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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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