Taylor Kohut

Catholic University of Louvain | UCLouvain · PSP / IPSY

Research on the use and effects of virtual reality (VR) has increased considerably over the past decade as technological advancements continued to enhance the accessibility of VR equipment and software. A significant amount of VR research has been conducted by psychologists examining a variety of topics such as developing unique VR experiences for...

Although content differences in pornography play an acknowledged role in many theories concerning the use and consequences of such material, relatively few studies have attempted to describe and understand the use of different types of pornography. To begin to address this gap, N = 367 participants who were in predominately mixed-sex relationships...

Background In many countries, sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) continue to be screened based on their sex or gender and the sex or gender of their sexual partner. However, there is growing support that screening based on specific sexual behaviors that pose risk of transfusion transmissible infection is a bet...

The current study aimed to extend existing research concerning HPV vaccination rates, sexual behaviour practices, and risk of HPV-related morbidity and mortality among Canadian university students. A survey research firm recruited an online sample of Canadian university students between 18 and 24 years of age and from across Canada for a study of s...

The Sexual Opinion Survey (SOS) has been one of the most widely used and influential measures in sexuality research cross-culturally since the 1980s. This scale is designed to measure individuals’ tendencies to avoid or approach sexual stimuli, also known as erotophobia-erotophilia. Although evidence of the scale’s validity has accumulated over the...

The current study aimed to extend existing research concerning HPV vaccination rates, sexual behaviour practices, and risk of HPV-related morbidity and mortality among Canadian university students. A survey research firm recruited an online sample of Canadian university students between 18 and 24 years of age and from across Canada, for a study of...

This research tested Confluence Model reasoning that pornography use should be related to sexual aggression among men who are high but not low in the predisposing risk factors of hostile masculinity (HM) and impersonal sexuality (IS). This hypothesis was examined with three online surveys of young adult males, including an American Mechanical Turk...

Background: Blood operators screen donors to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). Many are evolving screening procedures from those that defer all who have had a sexual interaction with gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) to an approach that assesses individual donors' recent sexual risk behavior with...

In this chapter, the authors critically review the body of research on adolescents’ and emerging adults’ pornography use and its consequences. We start with a number of theoretical concepts—including social learning and comparison theories, sexual scripting, self-objectification theory, the confluence model, the value congruence model, cultivation...

Background: Canadian Blood Services (CBS) screens donors based on group status (e.g., men who have sex with men, MSM) instead of specific, high-risk sexual practices (e.g., occurrence of condomless sex). The MSM screening question is embedded in a cluster of questions about stigmatized attributes such as history of imprisonment and illicit substan...

This commentary challenges some of the proposals made in the opinion paper entitled “The expanded interactional model of exercise addiction” by Dinardi, Egorov, and Szabo (2021). We first question the usefulness of the (expanded) interactional model of exercise addiction to determine the psychological processes underlying distress and functional im...

Background Blood operators are working to improve donor screening and eligibility for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), and trans and nonbinary donors. Many consider screening all donors for specific sexual risk behaviors to be a more equitable approach that maintains the safety of the blood supply. Feasibility consideratio...

Objective: Since women tend to use pornography less, they may enroll less in studies concerning it and/or those who do may be gender-atypical. Methods: One study plus replication, assessed proportion of participants reporting being women, responding to each of two, minimally different (one including the word “pornographic”) study advertisement vers...

It is commonly assumed that exposure to pornography harms relationships because pornography changes the way that individuals think, feel, and behave in problematic ways. In the current research, we contribute to a small but growing body of work that challenges this assumption by carefully scrutinizing the relational context of pornography use. In c...

In longitudinal studies of pornography use, selective loss of participants who may be more vulnerable to the effects of pornography than their peers is a serious concern. To explore the potential for such selective dropout, we used data from two independent large-scale panel studies of adolescents’ pornography use. Of the three types of attrition—e...

Emotional reactions to a partner’s extradyadic romantic interests are assumed to be negative and characterized by jealousy, an emotional state that arises over a perceived threat to one’s relationship. Yet, reactions may also be positive, and involve compersion, or taking joy in one’s partner’s pleasure in other sexual and relational encounters. Al...

Over the past decade, research has sought to understand sexting behaviour among adolescents and young adults. Much of this work is atheoretical and harm-focused, and little research has investigated these behaviors in the context of committed adult romantic relationships. The current study seeks to understand sexting behaviors of adult long distanc...

It is commonly assumed that pornography use harms relationships. In the current research, we contribute to a small but growing body of work that challenges this assumption by examining an alternative explanatory mechanism for the associations between pornography use and relationship dysfunction. In contrast to dominant exposure-based explanations i...

Despite the importance of sex for the maintenance of satisfying romantic relationships, our understanding of a person's sexual ideals-the traits and attributes a person desires in a sexual partner or experience-and what might buffer against lower satisfaction associated with unmet sexual ideals is limited. Across four studies including cross-sectio...

According to confluence model theorizing, pornography use contributes to sexual violence, but only among men who are predisposed to sexual aggression. Support for this assertion is limited to cross-sectional research, which cannot speak to the temporal ordering of assumed causes and consequences. To address this issue, we employed generalized linea...

Emotional reactions to a partner's extradyadic romantic interests are assumed to be negative and characterized by jealousy, an emotional state that arises over a perceived threat to one's relationship. Yet, reactions may also be positive, and involve compersion, or taking joy in one's partner's pleasure in other sexual and relational encounters. Al...

The connection between pornography use and sexual violence remains an ongoing concern within and outside academia. The current research sought to test Confluence Model reasoning that pornography use will be most strongly related to sexual aggression among men who are high in the predisposing risk factors of hostile masculinity and impersonal sexual...

There is growing public concern that sexually explicit material (SEM) negatively affects women, given that, more often than not, SEM promotes women’s sexual objectification, passivity and submission to male desire. Focusing on hyperfemininity and sexual agency, as possible respectively negative and positive outcomes of SEM use, using a sample of 55...

Despite increasing concerns that pornography decreases adolescents’ well-being, existing empirical support for this position is largely limited to cross-sectional studies. To explore possible links between adolescent pornography use and psychological well-being more systematically, this study focused on parallel dynamics in pornography use, self-es...

Introduction: With the emergence of rapidly expanding access to sexually explicit materials, research concerning pornography prevalence, pornography content, pornography users, and pornography effects has increased steadily among scientists and clinicians. Findings in this research area are often inconsistent and controversial. Aim: The current...

A great deal of pornography research is founded on dubious measurement practices. Measurement of pornography use has been highly variable across studies and existing measurement approaches have not been developed using standard measurement practices nor have they addressed construct validation or reliability. This state of affairs is problematic fo...

According to Confluence Model theorizing, pornography use contributes to sexual violence, but only among men who are predisposed to sexual aggression. Support for this assertion is limited to cross-sectional research, which cannot speak to the temporal ordering of assumed causes and consequences. To address this issue we employed generalized linear...

Ghosting is a romantic relationship breakup strategy that includes severing communication between partners. However, inconsistencies in existing conceptualizations of ghosting indicate a lack of agreement between scholars studying this phenomenon. Consequently, a need exists to establish an empirically derived definition and to explore the process...

Most couples view sexual satisfaction as crucial for the maintenance of romantic relationships, yet our understanding of a person’s sexual ideals (i.e., the traits and attributes a person desires in a sexual partner and the characteristics of a sexual experience a person finds to be ideal) and what might buffer against lower satisfaction associated...

This study applied a dyadic approach to condom-use research. Partners from 124 heterosexual couples independently completed a questionnaire assessing condom-related attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to use condoms. Results demonstrate the superiority of a dyadic approach to understanding couples’ condom-use i...

Polyamory is the practice of having multiple emotionally close relationships that may or may not be sexual. Research concerning polyamory has just begun to determine how relationships among partners in polyamorous arrangements may vary. Most of the research assessing perceptions of polyamorous partners has focused on primary–secondary configuration...

Ghosting, or avoiding technologically-mediated contact with a partner instead of providing an explanation for a breakup, has emerged as a relatively new breakup strategy in modern romantic relationships. The current study investigated differences in the process of relationship dissolution and post-breakup outcomes as a function of breakup role (dis...

The unprecedented accessibility and affordability of online sexually explicit material (SEM) has facilitated widespread use among adolescents and growing concerns over adverse reproductive health outcomes. Although SEM-induced risky sexual behavior is among key concerns, there is a paucity of longitudinal research addressing this issue. This study...

Romantic partners provide both erotic and nurturing experiences, though these may emerge more strongly in different phases of a relationship. Unlike individuals in monogamous relationships, those in polyamorous relationships can pursue multiple romantic relationships simultaneously, potentially allowing them to experience higher levels of eroticism...

Ghosting, or avoiding technologically-mediated contact with a partner instead of providing an explanation for a breakup, has emerged as a relatively new breakup strategy in modern romantic relationships. The current study investigated differences in the process of relationship dissolution and post-breakup outcomes as a function of breakup role (dis...

Romantic partners provide both erotic and nurturing experiences, though these may emerge more strongly in different phases of a relationship. Unlike individuals in monogamous relationships, those in polyamorous relationships can pursue multiple romantic relationships simultaneously, potentially allowing them to experience higher levels of eroticism...

Polyamory is the practice of having multiple emotionally-close relationships that may or may not be sexual. Research concerning polyamory has just begun to determine how relationships among partners in polyamorous arrangements may vary. Most of the research assessing perceptions of polyamorous partners has focused on primary-secondary configuration...

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is an overarching term for relationship orientations that differ based on the degree to which consensual sexual and emotional needs are fulfilled outside of a dyad. Despite the diversity of CNM relationship orientations and growing research examining CNM, it is unclear whether the sexual attitudes, inclination to approa...

The literature on relationship secrecy suggests that secrecy may have detrimental and beneficial effects on romantic relationships, such as lower relationship satisfaction but higher sexual attraction. Like secrecy, relationship acceptance appears to have inconsistent effects as well; for instance, while a lack of relationship acceptance can be a b...

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an overarching term for relationship orientations that differ based on the degree to which consensual sexual and emotional needs are fulfilled outside of a dyad. Despite the diversity of CNM relationship orientations and growing research examining CNM, it is unclear whether the sexual attitudes, inclination to appro...

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is an overarching term for relationship orientations that differ based on the degree to which consensual sexual and emotional needs are fulfilled outside of a dyad. Despite the diversity of CNM relationship orientations and growing research examining CNM, it is unclear whether the sexual attitudes, inclination to appro...

Cross-sectional evidence suggests that pornography use is related to lower mental well-being among adolescents but it remains unclear if changes in well-being are related to the dynamics of pornography use within this population. We examined the relationship between pornography use, subjective well-being, symptoms of depressions and anxiety, and se...

Longitudinal survey design is the preferred method for the robust assessment of outcomes associated with socially undesirable or potentially harmful sexual behaviors. However, repeated measurement may induce the question–behavior effect (QBE)—the phenomenon where asking about a behavior changes the probability of engaging in the behavior in the fut...

Previous research suggests that both monogamous and consensually non-monogamous (CNM) participants rate monogamous targets more positively. However, this pattern of stigma toward CNM relationships and the “halo effect” surrounding monogamy is at odds with the view that people typically favor members from their own groups over members of other group...

Previous research suggests that both monogamous and consensually non-monogamous (CNM) participants rate monogamous targets more positively. However, this pattern of stigma toward CNM relationships and the "halo effect" surrounding monogamy is at odds with the view that people typically favor members from their own groups over members of other group...

Previous research suggests that both monogamous and consensually non-monogamous (CNM) participants rate monogamous targets more positively. However, this pattern of stigma towards CNM relationships and the “halo effect” surrounding monogamy is at odds with the view that people typically favor members from their own groups over members of other grou...

Research on polyamorous relationships has increased substantially over the past decade. This work has documented how polyamory is practiced and why individuals might pursue such arrangements. However, there is a lack of a systematic investigation of who is in polyamorous relationships and how they might differ from individuals in monogamous relatio...

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience much higher rates of forced sexual interactions than non-disabled individuals, with incidence ranges from 44% in children (Ballan in J Autism Dev Disord 42:676–684, 2012; Kvam in Child Abuse Negl 24:1073–1084, 2000; van der Put et al. in J Intellect Disabil Res 58:979–991...

Couples who use pornography together (shared pornography use) and couples in which both members use pornography alone (concordant solitary pornography use) may have more sexual interests, preferences, and values in common than couples in which one couple member uses pornography and the other does not (discordant pornography use). From this perspect...

Despite increasing concerns that adolescent men are vulnerable to developing compulsive pornography use, little research has been done in this area. Given recent theorizing and research concerning moral incongruence, we hypothesized that symptoms of compulsive pornography use should generally be associated with higher levels of pornography use and...

This article provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the nature of sexually explicit materials and the effects of exposure to such material. It reviews both functional and structural definitions of pornography, illustrates the cultural and historical pervasiveness of sexual representations, and reviews research concerning the content of...

Objective: The current research focuses on sexual risk behaviour among young adult Canadians who have not been vaccinated against HPV. Methods: Six hundred and forty-six Canadian university undergraduates completed a self-administered survey assessing HPV vaccination status and sexual risk behaviour. Results: Five hundred and thirty-seven part...

Feminist theory and religious doctrines alike often suggest that pornography alters the attitudes of those who consume it, particularly with respect to how consumers view women. Many would assume that pornography would universally encourage sexism and female objectification, but recent evidence has linked pornography use with more gender egalitaria...

Despite strong claims about the benefits of sex positivity, the term “sex positive” lacks a widely agreed upon conceptual definition. The goal of this study was to identify and explore consistencies and differences in various definitions of sex positivity. Fifty-two experts in the field of human sexuality answered qualitative open-ended questions a...

In consensually non-monogamous relationships there is an open agreement that one, both, or all individuals involved in a romantic relationship may also have other sexual and/or romantic partners. Research concerning consensual non-monogamy has grown recently but has just begun to determine how relationships amongst partners in consensually non-mono...

Across three studies, Murray, Rose, Bellavia, Holmes, and Kusche (2002) found that low self-esteem individuals responded in a negative manner compared to those high in self-esteem in the face of relationship threat, perceiving their partners and relationships less positively. This was the first empirical support for the hypothesized dynamics of a d...

This brief was submitted to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in Regards to M-47, a Motion passed in December 2016 that instructs the Committee to investigate the "public health effects" of "violent and degrading" pornography. It discusses the lack of conclusive evidence for detrimental effects of pornography consumption an...

The current study adopted a participant-informed, “bottom-up,” qualitative approach to identifying perceived effects of pornography on the couple relationship. A large sample (N = 430) of men and women in heterosexual relationships in which pornography was used by at least one partner was recruited through online (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and...

The current study adopted a participant-informed, “bottom-up,” qualitative approach to identifying perceived effects of pornography on the couple relationship. A large sample (N = 430) of men and women in heterosexual relationships in which pornography was used by at least one partner was recruited through online (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and...

Across three studies, Murray et al. (2002) found that low self-esteem individuals responded in a negative manner compared to those high in self-esteem in the face of relationship threat, perceiving their partners and relationships less positively. This was the first empirical support for the hypothesized dynamics of a dependency regulation perspect...

Although correlates and predictors of sexual and relationship satisfaction are frequently investigated, few studies have systematically examined approaches that are designed to enhance such endpoints among couples. This study evaluated the impact of a six- to eight-week intervention consisting of prescribed sexual activity with and without a sex to...

In this article we discuss associations between pornography use by one or both romantic partners and the well-being of the relationship. We highlight several shortcomings of existing empirical research that limit conclusions that can be made about the negative, neutral or positive effects of pornography use on relationship processes. Lastly, we rev...

Pornography has been a major source of public concern for decades. In recent years, apprehension about the deleterious impact of pornography on romantic and marital relationships has joined a list of previously asserted harms, including claimed associations of pornography with communism, organized crime, aggression against women, and sex addiction....

According to radical feminist theory, pornography serves to further the subordination of women by training its users, males and females alike, to view women as little more than sex objects over whom men should have complete control. Composite variables from the General Social Survey were used to test the hypothesis that pornography users would hold...

This study examined the relationship between condom use motivation and condom use behavioural skills, and their direct and mediated influence on condom use consistency from the perspective of the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model of health behaviour. Participants were 149 currently sexually active heterosexual males aged 18–24 (...

The Confluence Model of sexual aggression (Malamuth, Addison, & Koss, 2000) states that pornography use, thought to promote sexual coercion of women through presentation of submissive female imagery, works in conjunction with sexual promiscuity (SP) and hostile masculinity (HM), proposed sexual aggression risk factors, to produce anti-woman sexual...

Aims We investigated the impact of using an integrated, strip-free system compared to the use of single-strip systems on testing frequency and glycemic control in individuals with insulin-treated diabetes. Methods This multinational, comparative, cluster-randomized, observational study included 311 patients with type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 d...

Objectives: Recent research has established that the information, motivation, and skills demands of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) represent significant challenges to patient adherence and achievement of glycemic control. Improved self-monitoring technology could be employed to lessen the demands of self-monitoring and achieve optimal pati...

Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an exceedingly prevalent sexually transmitted infection with serious medical, sexual, and relationship consequences. HPV vaccine protection is available but vaccine uptake is very inconsistent. Aims This research applies two major theories of health behavior uptake, the Theory of Reasoned Action and the T...

The current paper reviews research findings concerning the association of pornography with sexual violence and paraphilic interests. Little clarity concerning the causal impact of pornography on sexual aggression or child-oriented sexual behavior has been achieved in the scientific literature. Laboratory experimentation demonstrates that violent po...

Inconsistent coital orgasm is a common complaint among women presenting with sexual function concerns. While sex therapy interventions incorporating explicit instructions and specific models of direct clitoral stimulation have been used to improve coital orgasm consistency among women, it is unclear whether simple exposure to sexually explicit mode...

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) can be instrumental in achieving glycemic control in individuals with type 11, 2 or type 23–8 diabetes. SMBG can help people with diabetes understand the effects of food and exercise on blood glucose and assist them to make healthy choices; provide insights to patients and clinicians concerning the effecti...

S elf-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) can be instrumental in achieving glycemic control in individuals with type 11,2 or type 23–8 diabetes. SMBG can help people with diabetes understand the effects of food and exercise on blood glucose and assist them to make healthy choices; provide insights to patients and clinicians concerning the effectiven...

This article provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the nature of sexually explicit materials and the effects of exposure to such materials. It reviews both functional and content-based definitions of sexually explicit material, illustrates the cultural and historical ubiquity of sexual representations, and reviews research concerning...

Background: This study evaluated whether education and use of the advanced meter features of the CONTOUR(®) (Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diabetes Care, Tarrytown, NY) blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) affect the frequency and pattern of blood glucose testing in insulin-using subjects with diabetes who routinely perform self-monitoring of blood gluc...