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How Much More XXX is Generation X Consuming? Evidence of Changing Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Pornography Since 1973
The Journal of Sex Research
Abstract
We use data from the General Social Survey (GSS) over a 40-year period (1973-2012) to evaluate changes in attitudes about pornography and pornography consumption among American young adults. One of the major challenges in making comparisons across birth generations is separating the effect of birth cohort from age and period effects. We use an intrinsic estimator to separately identify the effects of age, birth cohort, and time period using 40 years of repeated cross-section data. We find that, relative to the general population, young people's beliefs about whether pornography should be illegal have stayed relatively constant over this 40-year period and, if anything, have slightly increased. We also find that pornography consumption has been increasing across birth generations, though this increase has been smaller than would be inferred based on differences across generations at a single point in time, due to a strong age component in consumption patterns.
... Pornography remains one of the most popular genres in the media landscape (Wright et al., 2023b) and pornography research is prevalent in high-impact (Zucker, 2021) sexological journals (Bothe et al., 2020;Dover & Willoughby, 2024;Hutul & Karner-Huțuleac, 2024;Lebedíková, 2023;Leonhardt et al., 2019;Maas et al., 2023;Perry, 2017). Data from the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded General Social Survey (GSS) have been an important contributor to the literature on pornography use, perceptions, predictors, and potential effects among adults in the United States (U.S.) (Doran & Price, 2014;Droubay et al., 2021;Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Holbert et al., 2023;Kohut et al., 2016;Lykke & Cohen, 2015;Marsden et al., 2020;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry, 2020;Perry & Schleifer, 2018Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Regnerus et al., 2016;Speed et al., 2021;Stack et al., 2004;Tokunaga et al., 2015;Wright, 2018;Yang, 2016). Wright et al.'s (2013) study of U.S. women was one of the first studies to systematically utilize GSS pornography data. ...
... Participants may respond "No" or "Yes" in response to this question. Multiple reservations have been raised about this assessment (Buzzell, 2005;Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry & Schleifer, 2018;Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Speed et al., 2021;. ...
... Pornography continues to be a focal scholarly interest for many sexologists (Bothe et al., 2020;Dover & Willoughby, 2024;Hutul & Karner-Huțuleac, 2024;Lebedíková, 2023;Leonhardt et al., 2019;Maas et al., 2023;Perry, 2017). Given that the data it generates are nationally representative and can be compared to historical data spanning as far back as the 1970s, it seems likely that the GSS will continue to be an important resource for sexological inquiries into U.S. adults' pornography use, predictors, and sociosexual correlates (Doran & Price, 2014;Droubay et al., 2021;Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Holbert et al., 2023;Kohut et al., 2016;Lykke & Cohen, 2015;Marsden et al., 2020;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry, 2020;Perry & Schleifer, 2018Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Regnerus et al., 2016;Speed et al., 2021;Stack et al., 2004;Tokunaga et al., 2015;Wright, 2018;Yang, 2016). ...
Pornography is one of the most popular forms of media and pornography research is common in high impact sexological journals. Many studies on U.S. adults’ pornography consumption have utilized the National Science Foundation funded General Social Survey (GSS), which has provided nationally representative publicly available data since the early 1970s; however, there are multiple reasons to question the validity and predictive capacity of the GSS’s traditional pornography measure. The present study compared the traditional GSS pornography measure with a new, experimental GSS pornography measure following the methodology of an early study of adult U.S. women’s pornography use published in this journal. The results supported the validity and predictive capacity of the traditional GSS measure while simultaneously suggesting the superiority of the GSS’s new measure. Implications for the GSS and pornography measurement beyond the GSS are discussed.
... The nature and reach of pornography have undergone significant transformations in recent decades, evolving from images in magazines to videos shown in movie theaters, on home videos, television, computers, and now personal handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets (Price et al., 2016). Each technological shift has rendered pornography more accessible, affordable, and discreet to use than ever before (Price et al., 2016;Wright, 2014). ...
... The nature and reach of pornography have undergone significant transformations in recent decades, evolving from images in magazines to videos shown in movie theaters, on home videos, television, computers, and now personal handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets (Price et al., 2016). Each technological shift has rendered pornography more accessible, affordable, and discreet to use than ever before (Price et al., 2016;Wright, 2014). The nature of pornography use has also evolved from paid content in the early 2000s to the present-day prevalence of "tube sites" enabling free access to "all possible content within one interface" (Paasonen, 2019, p. 559). ...
... Our findings reveal that girls' and boys' attitudes also converged across cohorts. By 2020-21, they were more tolerant of pornography's presence and availability in society, diverging from an earlier U.S. study which suggested that recent cohorts of young men are more inclined to support legal restrictions of pornography (Price et al., 2016). However, this increased tolerance did not translate to a greater endorsement of pornography's content and purported benefits. ...
Pornography has become increasingly prevalent and normalized within society, raising questions about how today's adolescents might differ in their responses to and attitudes toward pornography compared to earlier generations. This study begins to fill this gap by comparing cross-sectional data from two cohorts of high school students in Sweden in 2004 (n = 4,266, mean age = 18.15, SD = 0.74, 53.9% girls) and 2020-21 (n = 3,256, mean age = 18.20, SD = 0.61, 55.4% girls). Gender-stratified bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were performed to examine the impact of survey year on outcomes. Results reveal an increase in frequent pornography use among both genders and a narrowing of the gender gap in responses and attitudes by 2020-21. Boys reported decreased arousal responses, fewer positive emotional responses, and were less inclined to imitate the behaviors seen in pornography. Girls were less averse to and upset by the pornography they encountered. Both genders became more tolerant of pornography, yet more critical of its purported benefits. Notable gender differences remain, especially with girls being more likely to recognize pornography as degrading and exploitative. These findings underscore the need for educational strategies that foster critical understandings of pornography and its societal impact.
... Response options are a simple No or Yes. Four fundamental concerns have been raised about this measure (Buzzell, 2005;Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry & Schleifer, 2018;Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Speed et al., 2021). ...
... Efforts to address these concerns are vital, for several reasons. First, since P. J. Wright (2013), numerous pornography studies have been published using the GSS (e.g., Doran & Price, 2014;Droubay et al., 2021;Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Kohut et al., 2016;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry, 2020;Perry & Schleifer, 2018;Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Regnerus et al., 2016;Speed et al., 2021;Tokunaga et al., 2015;P. J. Wright, 2018;P. ...
... This study of U.S. men's pornography use, predictors, and correlates provided the field with novel empirical findings (e.g., nationally representative data points on variables of sociological and public health import spanning from 1973 to 2010) as well as the first evaluation of the sexual script acquisition, activation, application model's utility ( 3 AM) in the context of adults' pornography use. However, as P. J. Wright (2013) noted and others subsequently echoed or elaborated on (Frutos & Merrill, 2017;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry & Schleifer, 2018;Price et al., 2016;Rasmussen & Kohut, 2019;Speed et al., 2021), the GSS's pornography consumption measure has several potentially critical limitations. The overarching goal of the present study was to provide empirical input on these potential limitations via a replication of P. J. Wright's (2013) analyses in the context of a recently released GSS measurement experiment. ...
... Existing research on the use of pornography suggests that consumption has increased steadily over the last few generations and is now widespread, particularly among young men (Ballester-Arnal et al.,2021, 2022Huppin & Malamuth, 2022). The spread of the Internet and the easy, inexpensive, and anonymous accessibility of online pornography are understood to be contributory factors to the rise of pornography consumption (Cooper et al., 2000;Lewczuk et al., 2021;Potenza, 2018;Price et al., 2016). A study using data from the General Social Survey in the United States found that the proportion of young men using pornography had risen from 45% in the 1970s to over 61% since 1999 (Price et al., 2016). ...
... The spread of the Internet and the easy, inexpensive, and anonymous accessibility of online pornography are understood to be contributory factors to the rise of pornography consumption (Cooper et al., 2000;Lewczuk et al., 2021;Potenza, 2018;Price et al., 2016). A study using data from the General Social Survey in the United States found that the proportion of young men using pornography had risen from 45% in the 1970s to over 61% since 1999 (Price et al., 2016). Richters et al.'s (2014) analysis of the second Australian Study of Health and Relationships (ASHR2), a nationally representative survey conducted once a decade, reported that nearly twothirds of all men (63%) had looked at pornographic material in the past year, compared to 20% of women. ...
... In terms of the background characteristics of those using pornography, this study corroborates previous research in the area. In line with existing research (e.g., Carroll et al., 2008;Peter & Valkenburg, 2016;Price et al., 2016;Richters et al., 2014), the analysis showed that using pornography was associated with gender: specifically, men were significantly more likely to use online pornography than women. The overall frequencies of using online pornography were 68.9% for men, compared to 16.5% for women. ...
... Existing research on the use of pornography suggests that consumption has increased steadily over the last few generations and is now widespread, particularly among young men (Ballester-Arnal et al.,2021, 2022Huppin & Malamuth, 2022). The spread of the Internet and the easy, inexpensive, and anonymous accessibility of online pornography are understood to be contributory factors to the rise of pornography consumption (Cooper et al., 2000;Lewczuk et al., 2021;Potenza, 2018;Price et al., 2016). A study using data from the General Social Survey in the United States found that the proportion of young men using pornography had risen from 45% in the 1970s to over 61% since 1999 (Price et al., 2016). ...
... The spread of the Internet and the easy, inexpensive, and anonymous accessibility of online pornography are understood to be contributory factors to the rise of pornography consumption (Cooper et al., 2000;Lewczuk et al., 2021;Potenza, 2018;Price et al., 2016). A study using data from the General Social Survey in the United States found that the proportion of young men using pornography had risen from 45% in the 1970s to over 61% since 1999 (Price et al., 2016). Richters et al.'s (2014) analysis of the second Australian Study of Health and Relationships (ASHR2), a nationally representative survey conducted once a decade, reported that nearly twothirds of all men (63%) had looked at pornographic material in the past year, compared to 20% of women. ...
... In terms of the background characteristics of those using pornography, this study corroborates previous research in the area. In line with existing research (e.g., Carroll et al., 2008;Peter & Valkenburg, 2016;Price et al., 2016;Richters et al., 2014), the analysis showed that using pornography was associated with gender: specifically, men were significantly more likely to use online pornography than women. The overall frequencies of using online pornography were 68.9% for men, compared to 16.5% for women. ...
Only a few national cohort studies on using online pornography and buying sex have been published. The overall aim of this study, which analyzed data from a representative Danish national survey, was to provide an overview of incidence and associated population characteristics. The key aims were: first, to analyze frequencies of using online pornography and buying sex stratified by gender and other background characteristics; and, second, to investigate if and how using online pornography and buying sex were associated with sexual satisfaction, sexual activity, and violence. The findings revealed that having ever paid for sex and higher use of pornography were each associated with being male, younger, and not being in a relationship. Further, among men, having ever paid for sex and higher use of pornography were associated with not being sexually satisfied and, in part of the analysis, having committed violence to another person in the last year; however, these particular relationships were not statistically significant in the appropriately controlled regression analysis. We discuss gender, age, sexual aggression, and sexual satisfaction as factors associated with higher pornography use and buying sex.
... showing late night porn [35,36]. ...
... Between the 90s and early 2000s internet at home was introduced making it even more accessible for users to watch porn anonymously [36]. Fetishes and every imaginable position were now at the fingertips of users anonymously and at prices that were affordable [37]. ...
... Sexuality drifted more into the film and music industry and flooded our current society [35]. Between then and now the paying for a single time viewing of images or videos has become an advertisement platform and viewers can access many sites with no charge [35][36][37]. ...
... Pornography use is an almost ubiquitous part of many lives and is being increasingly accessed and viewed across most demographic segments of the population (Carroll et al., 2008;Mestre-Bach, Blycker, & Potenza, 2020). In addition to pornography use being increasingly common, people's attitudes toward pornography use are also becoming more accepting, suggesting that pornography use is now a normative aspect of both individual and couple sexuality (Carroll et al., 2008;Price, Patterson, Regnerus, & Walley, 2016;Willoughby, Rhoades, & Carroll, 2021). Due to this normative element of pornography use, it is crucial for scholars to understand behavioral trends and attitudes related to how both individuals and couples decide to engage with sexually explicit content. ...
... Pornography use is an increasingly common part of many lives (Carroll et al., 2008;Mestre-Bach et al., 2020;Price et al., 2016). Price et al. (2016) found that pornography use has increased for both men and women since the 1970's to the 2000's. ...
... Pornography use is an increasingly common part of many lives (Carroll et al., 2008;Mestre-Bach et al., 2020;Price et al., 2016). Price et al. (2016) found that pornography use has increased for both men and women since the 1970's to the 2000's. In a sample of men, Carvalheira, Traeen, and Š tulhofer (2015) found that for men who report masturbating at least once per week, 70% of them reported a similar frequency of using pornography. ...
While an increasing amount of scholarship has focused on the relationships between pornography use and well-being, most of this research has conceptualized and measured the frequency of pornography use as a single continuum ranging from no use to compulsive use without considering how other contextual factors may impact patterns of use and associations with well-being. Using a sample of 3710 individuals in committed relationships, we explored how various components of pornography use and attitudes toward pornography might be used to create unique profiles of pornography users. We found evidence of six different profiles of users, primarily distinguished based on the frequency of pornography use across varying content types and the configuration of pornography use within their romantic partnership. An exploration of demographic differences between profiles suggested that those who generally abstained from pornography were often older and in longer relationships than those in other profiles. In addition, those who abstained from pornography use both individually and with their romantic partner generally reported the best individual and relational well-being after controlling for a wide range of potentially confounding factors. Those in the Partner Use profile, a group characterized by individuals who generally avoided pornography but had romantic partners who regularly used pornography, were the most likely to report the lowest individual well-being and relationship quality.
... Research suggests that the spread of high-speed internet connections is associated with increased pornography use (e.g., Lewczuk et al., 2022). According to data from the US General Social Survey (Price et al., 2016), for instance, the relative share of users within the population of young men aged 18-26 rose from 51.8 to 61.1% between 1998 and 2007, which marks an increase of 9.3% points. For young women of the same age, a 6.9% point increase, from 29.2 to 36.1%, occurred within the same time frame (Price et al., 2016, p. 5). ...
... Another area for improvement of many studies on PU is that they are based on cross-sectional data, which does not allow for the analysis of longer-time trends. The relatively few existing longitudinal studies typically only include a small number of survey waves (Grubbs et al., 2022;Martyniuk & Dekker, 2018;Price et al., 2016). Because of these limitations of existing PU research, Grubbs and Kraus (2021) have recently called for replicating and extending existing questionnaire-based findings with alternative/additional data types. ...
... In the second part, we present a theory-guided correlational analysis of different (types) of predictors of OPU. More specifically, based on existing studies that have identified critical correlates of (O)PU, we look at the role of sex and age (e.g., Martyniuk & Dekker, 2018;Price et al., 2016), relationship status (Morgan, 2011), religiosity (Grubbs et al., 2019;Short et al., 2015;Willoughby & Busby, 2016;Štulhofer et al., 2022), as well as (possibly) relevant attitudinal dimensions, such as sexism (Kohut et al., 2016;Speed et al., 2021). Again, the fundamental research interest is to assess to what degree survey-based results can be replicated with web tracking data combined with survey data. ...
Several researchers have questioned the reliability of pornography research's findings. Following a recent call to use more reliable data sources, we conducted two analyses to investigate patterns and predictors of online pornography use (OPU). Our analyses were based on data from a large-scale German online web tracking panel (N = 3018) gathered from June 2018 to June 2019. The study we present here has two parts: In the first part, we looked at group differences (gender and age) in tracked OPU. Overall, this part's results confirm questionnaire-based research findings regarding sex and age differences. In the second part of our study, we combined the web tracking data with data from an online survey which was answered by a subset of the tracking participants (n = 1315) to assess the relevance of various predictors of OPU that have been identified in previous research. Again, our results mostly echoed previous findings based on self-reports. Online pornography was used more by males and younger individuals, while relationship status, sexist attitudes, and social dominance orientation were not associated with OPU. However, we did find differences in OPU between members of different religious communities. Our study confirms some critical findings on OPU from previous questionnaire-based research while extending existing research by providing a more fine-grained analysis of usage patterns based on web tracking data.
... R ecent research focused on pornography addiction indicates that the gradual increase of Internet availability, as well as anonymity and privacy of its using, significantly increased pornography consumption mainly in male population (Burtăverde et al., 2021;Griffiths, 2012;Mauer-Vakil and Bahji, 2020;Pizzol et al., 2016;Price et al., 2016;Ross et al., 2012;Wright, 2013). This increased Internet availability also plays a significant role in the process of losing self-control, which increases the risk of misusing Internet pornography and related addictive behavior (Block, 2008;Daneback et al., 2006Daneback et al., , 2012Ross et al., 2012). ...
... This increased Internet availability also plays a significant role in the process of losing self-control, which increases the risk of misusing Internet pornography and related addictive behavior (Block, 2008;Daneback et al., 2006Daneback et al., , 2012Ross et al., 2012). For example, recent findings indicate that three of five respondents included in a selected research sample have a problem with Internet pornography addiction , and it is most prevalent in men who live alone or with their parents Mauer-Vakil and Bahji, 2020;Price et al., 2016;Ross et al., 2012;Wright, 2013). In addition, recent findings show that Internet pornography consumption is highest in young adult men (Leiblum, 1997;Price et al., 2016;O'Sullivan et al., 2014;Shapiro, 2005;Štulhofer et al., 2016;Wright, 2013). ...
... For example, recent findings indicate that three of five respondents included in a selected research sample have a problem with Internet pornography addiction , and it is most prevalent in men who live alone or with their parents Mauer-Vakil and Bahji, 2020;Price et al., 2016;Ross et al., 2012;Wright, 2013). In addition, recent findings show that Internet pornography consumption is highest in young adult men (Leiblum, 1997;Price et al., 2016;O'Sullivan et al., 2014;Shapiro, 2005;Štulhofer et al., 2016;Wright, 2013). ...
According to recent studies, the growing consumption of Internet pornography mainly in male population becomes an increasing problem, which is closely linked to compulsive sexual behavior. Some findings also suggest that Internet pornography consumption might represent a defense mechanism against excessive stress, which enables to cope with stressful events, helps in mood regulation, and decreases depression and anxiety. Users of online pornography involved in these activities also reported that their self-exposition to pornographic material may create guilty feelings and internal conflict in themselves with respect to their own "involuntary" sexual behavior, which suggest that psychosocial stress and possibly traumatic experiences may play a significant role in Internet pornography addiction. Taken together, these findings show that stressful experiences, anxiety, and depression are strongly related to pornography consumption. In addition, conflicting emotional experiences as well as identity problems significantly increase vulnerability to addictive sexual behavior and pornography consumption.
... A body of research has sought to measure the frequency with which adults view sexually explicit media or "pornography" in the modern era of Internet and smartphones (Carroll et al., 2017;Price et al., 2016;Regnerus et al., 2016), as well as the social antecedents and correlates of that use Grubbs, Wright et al., 2019;Perry & Schleifer, 2019;Wright, 2013;Wright et al., 2013). Many of these studies have noted that there is at least some evidence that pornography use is more common now than in generations past . ...
... Though numerous studies have sought to understand the frequency of pornography use in national samples as well as the social antecedents and correlates of that use (Carroll et al., 2017;Grubbs et al., 2018;Grubbs, Wright et al., 2019;Perry & Schleifer, 2019;Price et al., 2016;Regnerus et al., 2016;Wright, 2013;Wright et al., 2013), the current study represents the first to use nationally representative data to understand how frequently Americans think the "average man" or "average woman" views pornography. Findings are consistent with several expectations drawn from theories of interpersonal perception, including consensus bias, the third-person effect, and the better-than-average effect. ...
... This suggests perceptions about the standard rate of pornography use vary not only by use patterns consistent with age but are again based on reference group and culture. In other words, older Americans estimate lower average pornography use, not only because of their own lower use, but because they came of age at a time when pornography was more stigmatized, less available, and less commonly used (Perry, 2019;Price et al., 2016). ...
Though research has examined pornography viewing frequency and its correlates in national samples, researchers have yet to assess how much pornography use the general population thinks is "average" for men and women. Drawing on data from a nationally representative sample of American adults (Men: N = 1,127; Women = 1,382; total mean age = 50.0, SD = 17.4), it was hypothesized that Americans' estimations of how much pornography use is average for men and women would be shaped by perceptual mechanisms as well as the influence of religious subculture. Results show that age, personal pornography use, self-reported addiction to pornography, and religiosity (for men), were associated with Americans' perceptions of what is average for others. The association with personal pornography use was amplified for same-gender estimations, and Americans estimated the average man views pornography more frequently than the average woman. Americans rarely reported viewing pornography at higher rates than what they estimated for others. This study provides initial steps toward understanding gendered impressions of average pornography use and provides recommendations for how future research could explore differing mechanisms of same-gender and cross-gender perceptions.
... Avoiding exposure to such material can be challenging, particularly as it is estimated that between 0.8% and 8% of pornography users exhibit signs and symptoms of problematic use (Twohig et al., 2009;Flood, 2007). The internet has become the primary way people access pornography due to its convenience and the anonymity it offers (D'Orlando, 2009;Fisher & Barak, 2001;Price et al., 2015;Cooper et al., 2000;Hearn, 2008). The sexual drives and desires of individuals can exhibit substantial variations, which are deemed normal as long as such behaviors do not result in harm or functional issues for the individuals involved (Lykke & Cohen, 2015;Klaassen & Peter, 2015;Gorman et al., 2010;Stark et al., 2018). ...
... One of the most significant findings in this study is the association between problematic internet pornography use and sexist attitudes, with higher levels of problematic internet pornography use indicating higher levels of sexist attitudes. However, these findings do not imply causation and future research is The delineation for categorizing individuals as "problematic users" is set at a cutoff point of scoring 76 points or higher out of a total of 126 points explicit and implicit gender stereotypes (Price et al., 2015;Najavits et al., 2014;Borgogna et al., 2020;Carroll et al., 2008;Hald, 2006). Moreover, age and rural residence were correlated with higher levels of sexism, possibly indicating the influence of cultural factors. ...
The study of online pornography use and its correlation with sexist attitudes has long intrigued the global scientific community. Despite diverse perspectives, opinions regarding the impact of pornography on an individual’s psychology and sexuality vary. In Greece, there is also a lack of research exploring the possible relationship between these two phenomena. This study aims to investigate the relationship between problematic internet pornography use, sexism, and other related factors like viewing frequency, preferred type of pornographic material, and sexist attitudes. An online, synchronous study was conducted with a sample of 535 adult individuals (350 males, 178 females, 7 identified as “other”) with an average age of 38.9 years (SD = ± 13.5) from the general population on the most popular social media platforms. The Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS) and Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) measured problematic pornography use and sexism. In comparison to women and individuals of “other” genders, men exhibited significantly higher levels of both hostile sexism (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively) and benevolent sexism (p < 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). Age and rural residence correlated with higher sexism levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). Higher levels of education were associated with lower levels of benevolent sexism, emphasizing education’s positive impact (p < 0.001). Problematic internet pornography use was significantly correlated with higher levels of sexism (p < 0.001). The Greek scientific community should focus on monitoring and investigating problematic internet pornography use to better understand its potential associations and implications.
... The literature consistently demonstrates that men have been found to have higher rates of approval for pornography use than women (O'Reilly et al., 2007;Carroll et al., 2008;Price et al., 2015) and that men consume pornography at a higher frequency than women (Carroll et al., 2008;Price et al., 2015;Solano et al., 2018). Given these findings, it is plausible that customizable pornography users would theoretically be found to have higher rates of pornography use and acceptance among men who also display higher levels of sexual permissiveness than those with more restrictive beliefs. ...
... The literature consistently demonstrates that men have been found to have higher rates of approval for pornography use than women (O'Reilly et al., 2007;Carroll et al., 2008;Price et al., 2015) and that men consume pornography at a higher frequency than women (Carroll et al., 2008;Price et al., 2015;Solano et al., 2018). Given these findings, it is plausible that customizable pornography users would theoretically be found to have higher rates of pornography use and acceptance among men who also display higher levels of sexual permissiveness than those with more restrictive beliefs. ...
Research has demonstrated that pornography use has an impact on sexual attitudes, behaviors, and expectations. With advances in technology, pornography consumption has changed significantly. With the advent of the Internet and smart devices, pornography is readily available, accessible, and now can be customized to a user's preferences through websites such as OnlyFans. The ability to pay a nominal fee to follow specific pornography creators or receive pornography that is custom made to a user's preferences has the potential to impact a user's sexual expectations, attitudes, and behaviors. The impact of this emerging domain of the pornography industry is unknown. This study seeks to provide descriptive data about customizable pornography users and to examine potential differences in sexual attitudes, behaviors, and expectations of no pornography users, low to medium pornography users, high pornography users, and those who view customizable pornography. The present study found significant differences between sexual attitudes, behaviors and expectations across varying frequencies of pornography use and among those who view customizable pornography.
... Regarding social factors, social desirability [5], culture, ethnicity [5,8] and loneliness [11,12] can be mentioned. Certain groups are more prone to use pornography [13,14]. Young people, in particular, are considered an important group in the phenomenon of pornography use due to their increased use of the Internet and social networks, as well as their greater sexual curiosity [15]. ...
... Concerning demographic characteristics, significant differences were observed between non-users and PUs in all assessed variables, except for economic conditions. Consistent with previous studies [7,8], younger students tended to watch more pornography, likely because of their increased access to the Internet and digital devices [13]. Similarly, those with shorter marriages also shared a similar inclination, possibly influenced by curiosity and heightened sexual excitement [48] or gaining sexual knowledge. ...
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.
... The relationships of age, gender, and education with attitudes toward censorship have been very complex and contextual. However, the general trends (Droubay et al., 2021;Fisher et al., 1994;Lambe, 2004;Lim et al., 2021;Price et al., 2016) reveal that older generations may tend to embrace more conventional and conservative beliefs, potentially impacting their endorsement of censorship, while younger generations might exhibit a greater inclination toward freedom of expression and mostly reject overt censorship. Furthermore, the evidence (e.g. ...
This study explores the complex dynamics of online censorship endorsements within a national context. We examined the impact of some of the influential psychological and demographic factors contributing to online censorship endorsement of Iranian Telegram users. Through the analysis of 517 responses to an online questionnaire, we investigated the influence of variables such as age, education level, gender, the use of state-controlled media, political interests, personal trust, religiosity, perceived similarity, and motivated resistance to censorship on individuals' attitudes toward censorship. Our findings reveal that education level, state-controlled media usage, religiosity, perceived similarity, and motivated resistance to censorship significantly shape censorship endorsements in the Iranian Telegram users. The implications of these findings and avenues for further research are highlighted.
... Pornography use is becoming increasingly prevalent across the world [1][2][3][4]. Although most pornography users do not report problems, pornography use can evolve into problematic behavior for a subset of individuals [5,6]. ...
Purpose of the Review
Four years after the publication of the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS), this review was undertaken to identify the scope of validation research on this brief assessment tool for problematic pornography use (PPU) as well as to identify trends and current gaps in the literature.
Recent Findings
A total of 33 studies, including 95 samples from 43 countries and 21 languages with potential BPS validation data were identified. These studies included data, which we analyzed according to gender identities, sexual orientations, and further demographic groups, as well as clinical, subclinical, and non-clinical groups.
Summary
Overall, results from 33 studies confirm the BPS as a valid and reliable assessment tool to identify PPU in clinical and non-clinical populations. Additional research evaluating the proposed clinical cut-off scores, test retest-reliability, as well as further psychometric testing in diverse clinical and subclinical samples from a variety of countries is warranted.
... These revelations not only challenged prevailing assumptions but also played a pivotal role in shaping public perception and fostering the expansion of Internet pornography (IP), particularly among younger generations. Price et al. (2016) documented a significant shift in engagement with pornographic material among young Americans, who, having had lifelong access to online content, exhibited a higher frequency of consumption compared to previous generations. Notably, 62% of men and 36% of women aged 18-26 reported watching an X-rated movie in the last year between 2008 and 2012, in contrast to 45% of men and 28% of women in the same age group between 1973 and 1980. ...
... Given that pornography is primarily marketed to male audiences (Noll et al., 2022), gender differences in its consumption have been explored. Using data from the General Social Survey in the US, Price et al. (2016) found that while pornography consumption has increased among both men and women in recent decades, it remains higher among men. Similar findings have been reported in other studies (Emmers-Sommer, 2018;Solano et al., 2018;Willis et al., 2022). ...
Sexual Objectification Theory posits that exposure to objectifying content, such as pornography, the purchase of sexual services, and adherence to traditional masculinity, can contribute to the acceptance of harmful beliefs about sexual violence. This study examined the relationship between rape myth acceptance and a range of attitudinal and personal factors using a sample of 1,603 internet users in Spain (51.6% women, M = 45.7 years old). The outcome variable was rape myth acceptance (α = .79), and the correlates included various forms of pornography consumption, purchasing sexual services, ambivalent sexism, comfort with sexuality, gender identification, and sociodemographic characteristics. The results indicate that rape myth acceptance was generally low (M = 2.03, range 1–5) and was associated with some sociodemographic characteristics, pornography consumption, ambivalent sexism, and comfort with sexuality. Ambivalent sexism, comfort with sexuality, and gender were the strongest predictors of rape myth acceptance, while pornography consumption had a limited impact on endorsing such beliefs. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing rape myth acceptance and offer guidance for developing policies to combat rape culture.
... In this context, age, gender, and sexual orientation emerge as crucial elements deserving attention. The control for participants' age is based on findings that indicate that the consumption of SEM decreases with age (Ballester-Arnal et al., 2023;Price et al., 2016). Gender relevance arises as women perceive potential misconduct in the production of SEM (Grudzen et al., 2009;Parvez, 2006), while some men adopt a strategy to dehumanize performers, especially in rough scenes (Antevska & Gavey, 2015;Taylor, 2022). ...
Computer-generated sexually explicit media is on the rise. While previous studies suggest that human sexualized stimuli are preferred compared to artificial ones, these studies did not consider the depicted sexual behavior as an influential factor. This, however, could be crucial because when individuals consume rough sexualized behavior, some tend to detach the humanity of the performers anyhow, raising the question about the significance of humanity within such sexualized entertainment media. To determine whether the explicitly stated interest in artificial and human sexualized stimuli depends on the displayed sexual behavior, a within-subject online experiment was conducted in the summer of 2022 with 274 heterosexual participants (152 men, 122 women). Further analyses with N = 68 individuals identifying as homosexual (N = 39 male and N = 29 female) are included. A key finding from the research indicates that heterosexual individuals show a preference for computer-generated rough SEM compared to depictions involving humans. This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that the portrayal of sexual behavior is pivotal in the acceptance of artificial sexual stimuli. It also delves into the potential of these materials as an extension for sexual satisfaction, yet it raises new questions that warrant further exploration.
... The relationships of age, gender, and education with attitudes toward censorship have been very complex and contextual. However, the general trends (Droubay et al., 2021;Fisher et al., 1994;Lambe, 2004;Lim et al., 2021;Price et al., 2016) reveal that older generations may tend to embrace more conventional and conservative beliefs, potentially impacting their endorsement of censorship, while younger generations might exhibit a greater inclination toward freedom of expression and mostly reject overt censorship. Furthermore, the evidence (e.g. ...
We examined the impact of some of the influential psychological and demographic factors contributing to onlinecensorship endorsement of Iranian Telegram users. Through the analysis of 517 responses to an online ques-tionnaire, we investigated the influence of variables such as age, education level, gender, the use of state-controlled media, political interests, personal trust, religiosity, perceived similarity, and motivated resistanceto censorship on individuals’ attitudes toward censorship. Our findings reveal that education level, state-controlled media usage, religiosity, perceived similarity, and motivated resistance to censorship significantlyshape censorship endorsements in the Iranian Telegram users. The implications of these findings and avenues forfurther research are highlighted.
... Uno de los factores que se plantea como posible predisponente de este aumento de agresiones es el contenido sexual disponible en medios de comunicación y, específicamente, en la pornografía. Los jóvenes de hoy en día tienen un mayor acceso a la pornografía que las generaciones previas (Donevan et al. 2022;Price et al. 2016). Además, su consumo se inicia cada vez en edades más tempranas. ...
... Selain sexting, aktifitas lainnya yang dilakukan oleh role player terkait perilaku seks daring adalah mengakses konten pornografi. Penelitian oleh Price et al. (2016) mengungkapkan bahwa sekitar 60% laki-laki dan 35% perempuan pernah melihat konten pornografi. Beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhi seseorang mengakses pornografi, salah satunya kemudahan untuk mengakses konten yang bersifat pornografi, hal ini membuat beberapa negara termasuk Indonesia membatasi akses pornografi, namun terdapat berbagai cara untuk mengakses konten pornografi tersebut salah satunya menggunakan VPN. ...
The increasing use of social media in Indonesia has triggered various social problems, including social media addiction. One of the growing communities is roleplayers, who use pseudo-identities to play idols or celebrities. The study analyzed the relationship between loneliness and online sex behavior in 209 roleplayers on social media. The research method used was quantitative correlation with purposive sampling, using two measuring tools, namely the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST) by Delmonico and Miller (2003) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale Ver.3 by Russell (1996) with reliability results of 0.875 and 0.859. Data analysis using product moment correlation assisted by IBM SPSS ver. 22 for Windows which obtained the results of a positive relationship between loneliness and online sexual behavior in the roleplayer community on social media with the results of a hypothesis test with a value of r = 0.596 with a significance value of p = 0.00. This means that the higher the level of loneliness felt by the roleplayer community, the higher the tendency to behave in online sex carried out by the roleplayer community.
... 3 Studies indicate that over one-third of Americans consume pornographic content at least once a month, 4 and approximately 42% of internet users view pornographic material. 5 Factors contributing to pornography consumption include younger age, 6,7 increased access to digital media and the internet, 8 lower educational attainment, 9 weaker religious beliefs, 10 higher sexual desire 11 and the length of cohabitation. [11][12][13] Individuals who abstain from watching pornographic content tend to exhibit greater commitment to their partners. ...
... Internet pornography is easily accessible while affordable and providing perceived anonymity for users. These conditions and the inherent reward potential of pornography contribute to its addictive potential (Alarcón, La Iglesia, Casado, & Montejo, 2019;Chen et al., 2022;Price, Patterson, Regnerus, & Walley, 2016). While problematic sexual behavior has already been observed and described in 1890 (Krafft-Ebing, 1893), the phenomenon of problematic pornography use became more prevalent in the last two decades with technological advancements such as the Internet and smartphones (Cooper, 1998;Doering, 2009;Lewczuk, Wójcik, & Gola, 2022). ...
Background
The introduction of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) into the 11th International Classification of Diseases has raised expectations for better treatment options for CSBD. Furthermore, the treatment demand has increased, particularly for pornography use disorder (PUD), a subtype of CSBD. Presumably due to the easy access to Internet pornography an increasing prevalence of PUD is observed. Consequently, providing tailored and effective treatment is essential.
Methods
This article provides an overview of the manualized short-term PornLoS Treatment Program ( Porn ografienutzungsstörung effektiv behandeln– L eben o hne S uchtdruck; translation: Treating pornography use disorder effectively - life without craving). The program combines 24 individual and 6 group psychotherapy sessions with an interdisciplinary approach by offering a novel treatment framework. This includes, e.g., a mobile app, establishment of self-help groups, and access to other social services such as couple counseling. The cognitive-behavioral treatment program contains interventions addressing psychoeducation, cue exposure, impulse control, cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and relapse management.
We here also describe the study protocol of an ongoing four-arm randomized controlled trial. The aim is to test two variants of the PornLoS Treatment Program differing with respect to their treatment goal (abstinence or reduced pornography use) against cognitive-behavioral treatment as usual and against a waitlist control group. The primary outcome is the absence of a PUD diagnosis at the end of therapy. The total target sample size will comprise n = 316 patients with PUD across eight study sites.
Results
The results will be presented at international conferences and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal.
... There is evidence suggesting that gender significantly influences the use of pornography. Men are more likely to consume pornographic content than women, and do so more frequently (6,(23)(24)(25). While studies have demonstrated no meaningful difference in sexual desire between men and women (26), a substantial portion of this gender disparity can be attributed to internalized expectations and societal norms regarding "acceptable" sexual desires and behaviors for both genders (27,28). ...
Background: Pornography, encompassing explicit images, videos, audio, and written content, has adverse impacts on individuals' well-being. We aimed to explore the relationship between mental health and communication quality with parents and the use of pornography, considering the moderating effect of gender. Methods: Quantitative data collection and descriptive-correlation analysis were employed. The study included university students in Tehran, Iran during the 2021-2022 academic year. Through purposive sampling, 210 participants completed an online questionnaire on Porsline. The survey assessed pornography use, quality of communication with parents, and general health. SPSS 23 software facilitated correlation and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Gender significantly influenced pornography use (β=0.557). Anxiety symptoms (β=0.45) and social dysfunction (β=0.351) had significant positive effects on pornography use. Moreover, quality of relationships with parents, both mother (β=-0.47) and father (β=-0.27), exhibited negative associations with pornography use (P=0.01). Conclusion: High quality relationships with parents, lower anxiety and social dysfunction could potentially decrease the likelihood of pornography use on the internet. It is recommended that educational efforts and cultural interventions focus on protecting young adults from the negative effects of pornography use. Such interventions may include psychoeducational training on effective communication skills, mental health literacy, and stress management skills.
... For example, using a large nationally representative sample, Herbenick et al. (2020) found that approximately 94% of men and 87% of women living in the US report lifetime pornography use. Similarly, Price et al. (2015) found that as many as 61.5% of men and 35.7% of women in a nationally representative sample had viewed an X-rated movie in the past year (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012). Despite such prevalence, there is still some debate on the psychological and relational influence of pornography use. ...
Pornography viewers often report being addicted to pornography even if their behavior does not indicate such addiction. In this study with 1099 participants (52% male), we explored how the specific belief in being addicted to pornography could predict both individual and relational outcomes beyond actual pornography use and reported compulsive pornography use (i.e., considering one’s use to be out of control). Using a structural equation model, our results showed that higher agreement with the pornography addiction label, without accounting for compulsivity, was associated with higher depression, suicide ideation, communication discomfort about pornography, and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. After accounting for compulsivity, higher agreement with the pornography addiction label was only associated with higher communication discomfort about pornography and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. This study highlights that identifying as addicted to pornography may include a stigma that is particularly detrimental to relationship outcomes.
... Very few studies utilized country-level representative dataset on this topic (e.g. Price, Patterson, Regnerus, & Walley, 2016;Wright, 2013). Therefore, we think using people's search data about pornography can give a more accurate picture of reality. ...
This study examines the impact of religiosity on online pornography use in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country. Ramadan, a holy month of fasting for Muslims, provides a unique opportunity to examine the impact of religiosity. To measure online pornography use, the Google Trends dataset between 2013 and 2023 was used and regression analysis was utilized. Online searches for pornography decreased by approximately 11% to 15% during Ramadan. Moreover, the impact of Ramadan is more pronounced in more religious provinces. This finding suggests that religiosity may be limiting online pornography use in the short term. The strength of this study comes from using a novel dataset from a country where research is scarce on this topic.
... Limited sexuality education pushes some young adults toward alternative means of learning about sexuality; pornography was highlighted as a very powerful source of sexuality information by some participants. Nowadays, young people have very easy, often free access to uncensored images of different sexual acts including violent and risky forms of sex via the internet [82][83][84]. Massey et al. [18] found that 80% of individuals by the age of 19 years had watched online pornography, while Martellozzo et al. [85] suggested that 94% of young adults (aged: 11-16 years) by the age of 14 years had watched online pornography. Viewing pornography may affect young people's sexual attitudes and behaviors (e.g., casual attitudes to consent, and sexual coercion) [86,87] and sometimes lead to legal consequences (e.g., sexual offences [often unintentionally] and indecent images of children) in ND individuals [88,89]. ...
Purpose The literature indicates that sexuality education provided in schools/colleges in the United Kingdom (UK) may not be appropriate for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There appears to be a lack of understanding of the subject regarding young people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a dual diagnosis (ASD co-occurring with ADHD). Research also suggests that compared to neurotypical peers, young people with ASD tend to receive less support on sexuality from their parents, who often feel that they lack the appropriate skills to help their children with some sex-related issues. Some young people with ASD and ADHD also report lacking an understanding of the social nuances of dating and intimacy, which is crucial for navigating romantic relationships. Design/methodology/approach This study explored sexuality education and romantic relationships in young people based on a semi-structured interview approach to the topic. Thematic Analysis (TA) was employed to analyze the data. Findings Six themes were developed from the participants’ narratives: Societal ideology about sexuality; Substandard school-based sexuality education; The role of adults in sexuality education; Pornography, as a very powerful alternative means of sexuality education; Young people and romance—a complicated world to navigate; Experience of abuse in the young neurodivergent population is a serious matter. Findings revealed that many neurodivergent and neurotypical young people received basic sex education in their schools/colleges and homes and encountered challenges navigating romantic relationships. Neurodivergent young people reported experiencing greater challenges related to their understanding of and building romantic relationships than their neurotypical peers. Originality/value To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first exploration of romantic relationships and sexuality education in neurotypical young people as well as three groups of neurodivergent young people (with ASD, ADHD, and ASD co-occurring with ADHD).
... It would be remiss to investigate the relationship between loneliness and pornography use without considering the nature of pornography consumption in the modern era, given pornography use has become more acceptable over time (Price et al., 2016), to the extent that online pornography use is now considered an element of online sexual activity more broadly (Ballester-Arnal et al., 2021). Notably, the explosion of online pornographic content platforms that include paid and free subscriptions (e.g., OnlyFans, JustForFans, FanCentro, fansly and ismygirl.) ...
Problematic pornography use is a growing area of interest necessitating a deeper understanding of its contributing factors. Loneliness and emotion regulation difficulties have been advanced as factors that may exacerbate or perpetuate PPU, however, to date, researchers typically consider these factors in isolation. In addition, the evolving landscape of problematic pornography is further shaped by the emergence of pornography content creators. This study explores the relationships between loneliness, emotion regulation difficulties and problematic pornography use and individuals’ interactions with pornography content creators. Specifically, we examine whether emotion regulation difficulties mediate the relationship between loneliness and PPU and whether this mediation is contingent on interactions with content creators. A total of 213 adults (Mage = 35.57 years, SD = 16.90; 77.50 % men) participants completed an online questionnaire assessing PPU, emotion regulation difficulties and loneliness. Results revealed loneliness is associated with increased PPU and emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation difficulties, in turn, relate to PPU. Though interaction with pornographic content creators was associated with reduced PPU, interacting with content creators did not moderate the effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between loneliness and PPU. Our findings support the hypothesised model, suggesting that emotion regulation difficulties mediate the relationship between loneliness and PPU. The identified mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties provides a foundation for further investigations into the underlying mechanisms connecting emotional well-being and problematic pornography use, offering potential directions for future research.
... For comparative purposes, turning to other sex crimes, there are reasons to suspect that changes in prosecutorial success (i.e., guilty outcomes) may also have emerged over time, particularly for child pornography cases. With child pornography, as mentioned, the overall number of cases accepted for prosecution likely increased as a function of the dramatic rise in the use of the internet, which significantly facilitated cross-state and national distribution of sexually explicit material of children (Kloess et al., 2014;Mitchell et al., 2007;Price et al., 2016). At the same time, the internet also likely provided prosecutors with rich sets of physical evidence of the crime (i.e., images, videos), thereby increasing the likelihood of a conviction. ...
... In nationally representative and large-scale studies, 63% to 68% of adolescents (Bőthe et al., 2020;Wright et al., 2020) and 70% to 94% of adults (Grubbs, Kraus, et al., 2019;Herbenick et al., 2020;Lewczuk et al., 2020;Rissel et al., 2017) reported lifetime pornography use, while 23% to 40% of adolescents (Lobe et al., 2011;Wolak et al., 2007) and 33% to 63% of young adults reported past-year use . Pornography users steadily increased in number during the past decades (Perry & Schleifer, 2019;Price et al., 2016) and are over-represented by young male adults who report using it at least once a month . Women also report using pornography, although at lower rates and frequency than men (Carroll et al., 2017;Poulsen et al., 2013). ...
Pornography offers a wide variety of sexual contents and has documented potential positive (e.g., higher sexual satisfaction) and negative associations (e.g., lower sexual function) with sexuality. The aims of this study were to describe the proportion of use of five different contents of pornography (i.e. group sex, passion and romance, gender-bending, taboo transgression and forbidden sex, power, control, and rough sex pornography), to examine gender-based differences in the frequency of use of these contents, and to examine the associations between the frequency of use of these contents and sexual satisfaction and function, considering potential differences among genders and individuals with and without a romantic or sexual partner, and controlling for frequency of masturbation. A sample of 827 young adults (503 women; Mage = 23.44) completed online self-report questionnaires. Results of path analysis indicated that, controlling for frequency of masturbation, the use of passion and romance pornography was associated with higher sexual satisfaction, whereas the use of power, control, and rough sex pornography was associated with lower sexual satisfaction. Cisgender men's use of power, control, and rough sex pornography was also associated with lower sexual function. These findings suggest different associations between pornography use and sexual satisfaction and function depending on the pornographic contents used.
... As a result of the anonymity, accessibility, and cost offered by the internet, pornography is now more readily available than it has ever been before [10]. The widespread use of mobile devices among young adults [11] has also contributed to an even higher increase in the availability of pornographic content [12]. These behaviors have also been linked to concerns with mental health [13] [14]. ...
Background: Pornographic use has been associated with poor mental health consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between problematic pornography use and mental health issues among adolescents in Bangladesh.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the relationship between problematic pornography uses with mental health status of adolescents in Bangladesh. The survey, which involved demographic questions and scales like the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the General Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Brief Pornography Screen, included a sample of 601 teenagers. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models after the scales underwent step-by-step validation.
Results: It was discovered that boys scored higher (6.71) than girls (3.16), with the mean score for problematic pornography use (PPU) being 5.13. The Brief Pornography Scale revealed substantial relationships with anxiety (r=0.358), loneliness (r=0.382), and perceived social support (r=0.276). The structural modeling equation and hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that problematic use of pornography was associated with being male (r=0.26 to 0.45, p=0.001), higher monthly family cost (r=0.12 to 0.33, p=0.05), accessing pornography online (r=-0.14 to -0.27, p=0.05), consuming pornography through TV/DVD/downloaded videos (r=-0.44 to -0.55). However, the RSES scale did not reveal any correlation between problematic pornography consumption and self-esteem.
Conclusion: This study found significant relationship with problematic pornography use and mental health status of Bangladeshi adolescent. It emphasizes the significance of raising awareness about the danger of problematic pornography use. The results of this study highlight the necessity for focused interventions and educational initiatives addressing the possible hazards connected to this population's pornographic use.
... A report from Wright & Donnerstein (2014) shows that hundreds of adolescents have been exposed to pornography in the past ten years old. A report from Price et al., (2016) shows that hundreds of children, boys or girls have exposed to pornography. A report from Murni et al., (2018) also shows that hundreds of primary school students have been exposed to pornography, with more of them exposed since in 1 st grade. ...
In the current electronic age, the trend of pornography exposure to Primary School Students is massively happening. Pornography exposure becomes an important issue to study because it concerns the self-development of tens of millions of Primary School Students in Indonesia. This phenomenon cannot be separated from environmental factors. Environmental factors around Primary School Students in pornography exposure become a focus of this study. Specifically, about kinds of environmental factors, environmental role, dan the process of pornography exposure facilitated by the environment. This study was conducted qualitatively with the use of observation, in-depth interviews, and field notes to collect data. This study finds that there are three kinds of environments around primary school students now. All of these have an important role in causing pornography exposure. Interaction with two or three kinds of environments at the same time by involving a virtual environment ends in pornography exposure. Associated with it, this interaction needs to be attention because interaction with a virtual environment cannot happen without physical environment and or social environment interaction. In response to these findings, stakeholders should reduce pornography exposure to Primary School Students simultaneously maximizing their role in changing Primary School Student’s behaviour.
... Several studies indicate that most people will have some degree of exposure to pornography (Albright, 2008;Miller et al., 2020;Price et al., 2016;Sabina et al., 2008). PU frequencies tend to be reported quite heterogeneously across studies. ...
The pornography problems due to moral incongruence (PPMI) model is a premier framework for understanding problematic pornography use (PPU). However, past studies have generally examined men or entered gender as a covariate in primary analyses. Such approaches mask between-gender differences. Additionally, dysregulation constructs are also thought to be relevant to PPU, yet it is unclear the degree to which they incrementally predict PPU beyond moral incongruence constructs in non-pathological populations. We addressed these gaps by gathering a large sample of college students (n = 295 men, n = 838 women). Analyses with pornography users (n = 251 men, n = 407 women) were consistent with the PPMI model, adjusted for pornography use frequency. Findings did not change when dysregulation constructs of impulsivity and emotional resilience were added to the model. No paths significantly differed between genders. Altogether, among college student pornography users, religiosity was strongly positively correlated with moral disapproval (β = .65 men, β = .62 women), moral disapproval was moderately positively correlated with PPU (β = .41 men, β = .29 women), religiosity was initially moderately positively correlated with PPU (r = .21 men, r = .22 women), but became non-significant in the full model (β = − .21 men, β = − .04 women), and indirect effects of religiosity to PPU through moral disapproval were significant (indirect β = .27 men, β = .18 women). None of the dysregulation constructs significantly predicted PPU. The full model accounted for 23-22% of the PPU variance in men and women, respectively. Implications, future directions, and limitations are discussed.
... We framed the analysis through the lens of behavioral intimacy theory because we expected discussing pornography use to be a potentially vulnerable behavior, given the wide range of pornography acceptance (Price, Patterson, Regnerus, & Walley, 2016); social, cultural, and religious forces that discourage pornography use (Abbas & Fadhli, 2008;Lykke & Cohen, 2015;Sumerau & Cragun, 2015); and the inherent vulnerability of sexual behaviors. Where there is vulnerability, there is an opportunity for intimacy, so we investigated the nature of couples' conversations about pornography use as they relate to intimate and suppressive events. ...
... Pornography use has become a normal part of many lives in recent years, and thus, scholars have been interested in patterns of use (Carroll et al., 2008;Regnerus et al., 2016). Although there exist some differences in pornography use based on demographic characteristics such as age and biological sex (Poulsen et al., 2013;Price et al., 2016), research tends to show that using pornography is not limited to any one group of people. Because of how widespread pornography use has become, scholars have sought to understand more about how it affects individuals (Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry, 2018;Willoughby et al., 2019) and how it affects relationships (Leonhardt & Willoughby, 2019;Maas et al., 2018;Poulsen et al., 2013;. ...
This study seeks to build on previous research about how pornography use is associated with relationship outcomes. Using the 3AM model (Wright, 2011) as a theoretical guide, sexual behaviors were tested as a possible mediator of the association between pornography use and relationship well-being. Using a national data set of individuals in heterosexual relationships (n = 2519), associations between different types of pornography use (alone use vs. joint use), sexual behaviors, and relationship outcomes were analyzed. Results showed that pornography use with a partner is a distinct activity when compared to pornography use alone. Additionally, significant indirect relationships between pornography use and relationship outcomes were found through sexual behaviors. Both vaginal sex and oral sex had positive effects, while anal sex had a unique, negative effect (use of sex toys was not significantly related). Future research should continue to examine the context of pornography use and how it is related to behaviors and outcomes in relationships.
... Pornography is defined as "media intended to sexually arouse consumers through the depiction of nudity or explicit sexual behavior" (Wright et al., 2017, p. 317). With the proliferation of high-speed Internet and smartphone devices, the digital age has allowed for pornographic content to be more readily accessible, private, anonymous, and culturally acceptable compared to previous generations (Price et al., 2016), particularly among men (e.g., Carroll et al., 2017). Against this backdrop, a large body of literature links pornography use to negative relational outcomes in heterosexual romantic relationships, particularly to decreased sexual and relational satisfaction (Bennett-Brown & Wright, 2022). ...
An online experiment investigated heterosexual women’s responses to their romantic partners’ pornography use. Specifically, we examined how a perceived parasocial (i.e., entirely fanciful, one-sided) versus social (i.e., reciprocal) interaction with a porn actress, as well as a perceived parasocial romantic attachment to a porn actress, may pose a relational threat to one’s actual romantic relationship. Results revealed that perceptions of infidelity and jealousy were dampened by women’s belief that their romantic partner had a weak (vs. stronger) parasocial romantic attachment to and parasocial (vs. social) interaction with a porn actress. These findings advance our understanding of the effects of pornography use within romantic relationships and highlight how parasocial relationships can affect romance.
... The prevalence rate of PPU is on the increase across different sexes, age groups, cultures, and countries due to factors such as "triple A" (i.e. accessibility, affordability, and anonymity) [14][15][16][17]. A cross-sectional study among adolescents across six countries in Europe revealed that overall, 59% of participants have been exposed to pornography in the past year with Poland having 67.3%, Iceland having 65%, Greece having 57.2%, Netherlands having 57%, Spain having 53.5%, and Romania having 51.5% [18••]. ...
Purpose of Review
The proliferation of the internet and technological devices have enabled the upsurge of pornography use, especially during this coronavirus 2019 pandemic period worldwide. As there is a dearth of knowledge regarding pornography use across cultures, this brief review aimed to understand the problematic pornography use (PPU) situation across cultures (i.e., the five continents). Therefore, this review paper intends to provide an enhanced understanding of the PPU situation across cultures so as to get a holistic view of PPU throughout the world.
Recent Findings
European, American, and Oceanian countries seem to have deep literature on pornography, liberal beliefs, and attitudes towards pornography, as well as specialised treatment protocols and facilities. Asian countries are next in terms of literature although they are conservative in their beliefs and attitudes towards pornography which has limited the specialised treatment options and facilities for people with PPU. African countries share similarities with Asian countries except that there is a dearth of literature on pornography in Africa. All cultures revealed that PPU likely leads to aggressive sexual behaviours which may have a mental health impact on the victims. Nonetheless, European, American, and Oceanian countries strongly believe that pornography helps with sexual education.
Summary
The use of pornography has increased across cultures even in very conservative countries which has consequently led to an increase in PPU. Therefore, there is a need for further studies in each of these cultures in order to design bespoke treatment protocols for people with PPU.
... The choice to focus on adolescence stems from the fact that it is a crucial phase of life in terms of the development of social and sexual identity, whose structure determines the perception of the Self in relation to others, influencing intersubjective behaviours that are linked to social roles, especially gender roles [5]. It should also be considered that today, the psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have added to the increase in exposure to pornography among adolescents compared to the past [6]. Starting from 2020, there has been a further increase in access to the most popular porn websites, especially among the youngest [7,8]. ...
Due to the increasing trend in the use of pornography recorded in recent years, along with the decreasing age of its consumers, many studies have investigated its potential negative effects on adolescents, who are developing their social and sexual identity, often producing inconsistent results. With the present study, which is based on a large representative sample of Italian students attending public upper secondary schools, predictors as well as negative and positive effects of pornography use on adolescents’ attitudes, beliefs and well-being have been identified through a psychosocial approach. To achieve these results, the study involved a two-step analysis: first, the decision tree method for classification was applied to identify the main predictors of different frequencies in pornography consumption; subsequently, multinomial logistic regressions were carried out to detect the effects of pornography use. The results show a large difference between boys and girls in terms of frequency of pornography use, but also in the effects on adherence to gender roles, which is related to a still strongly stereotyped socialisation. Instead, similar negative effects on both girls and boys were found on self-esteem, body satisfaction, negative primary emotions and distress, suggesting the need for adequate sex education provided by both parents and schools to counteract taboos and blind internalisation of models of beauty and sexual behaviours provided by pornography
In recent years, South Africa has featured among the countries with the highest traffic on Pornhub. In 2018, the country was ranked 20th in the world by traffic on Pornhub and second for most time spent per visit, ahead of the more technologically connected countries. The insights from Pornhub suggest that South Africans are big consumers of porn, possibly even problematically consuming it. It is important to underline that there are differing opinions in the literature relating to problematic pornography use as an addiction. As such, in this chapter, we shall refer primarily to problematic porn consumption, but we will also refer to pornography addiction in line with the components model of addiction. We will discuss the impact these behaviors might have on quality of life (QoL). While there is a small body of work on pornography, and a comparatively larger body of work on QoL, there is not much scholarship on pornography and QoL. The chapter explores the possibility that pornography use could have improved QoL for some South Africans, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. The main objective in this chapter is to expand on an African feminist psychological perspective on QoL with a focus on pornography as an example of compulsive behavior/addiction. The contribution of this chapter is to offer a theoretical lens on the potential impact of pornography consumption on QoL from an African feminist psychological perspective, highlighting the different ways of maintaining human connection and the effects thereof on the individual’s QoL.
There are common elements of change across all models of treatment that make them effective. Using the common factors of change framework, this article reviews and organizes the current treatment literature regarding problematic pornography use (PPU). PPU continues to be a common presenting problem, particularly in relationship therapy, as pornography use gains further political attention and accessibility. Despite the recent addition of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in the ICD-11, literature focused on effective treatment for PPU continues to be sparse. While common factors for PPU treatment are still in the initial stages of identification and research, this article will highlight the factors that have been initially investigated in the process of treating individuals and couples struggling with PPU. Clinical and research implications will then be discussed continuing to incorporate a common factors framework as our field strives to discover how to facilitate change in treating PPU within family and couple relationships.
This report draws on the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study to look at pornography
use among over 4,500 young adults at 20 years of age. It examines the individual, family and school factors associated with use and the consequences for wellbeing and sexual behaviour.
Adult webcam sites with live performers who provide viewer interactive experiences are a rapidly increasing form of sexual entertainment or "sextech." The opportunity to engage with performers during synchronous contact without health risks represents a novel form of transactional sex. This study sought to understand viewer preferences in performers, and how viewers perceive webcam use is affecting their sex lives and their mood. Participants (N = 10,570) responded to a link on the adult webcam platform Chaturbate.com and completed a 93-item survey. Simple frequencies and descriptive statistics were used to characterize responses. Most viewers identified as heterosexual (75.1%) men (94.2%). Two-fifths (40.3%) had no sexual partners over the past 12 months. Exploratory factor analysis showed that respondents' preferred qualities in performers clustered around an ideal sexual partner, an emotional connection, power dynamics, and compliance with viewers' wishes. Respondents generally agreed that webcam use made them better educated about sex (66.0%) and feel better about their sex lives (54.6%), though about one-fourth reported less positive experiences. The majority (72.2%) felt watching cams was less satisfying than sex away from screen and only 19.1% defined watching cams as "real sex." Over half (64.0%) perceived their webcam use as having positive effects on their mood, while a moderate proportion perceived negative emotional consequences. Findings suggest that a majority of viewers experience their webcam activities as a means of obtaining sexual release, but that this is not considered actual sex. Future research should explore additional consequences of long-term use of transactional webcam sex.
Evidence-based treatments for problematic pornography use
(PPU) are missing, so users seek help through online communities
formed around their concerns. This study investigated the
effectiveness of brief interventions in (I) reducing desire for pornography use and (II) increasing self-efficacy regarding pornography use, in a non-clinical online sample (n = 711). Participants’ craving for pornography was activated and then they were randomly assigned to one of the intervention conditions: life
meaning, willpower, mindfulness, awe, or active control. The
results indicated that life meaning could be effective in reducing
craving for pornography. Future research should investigate
the potential of similar interventions with clinical samples.
Development of sexual identity during adolescence is a major process of transition in individual life which in cases of ADHD specifically interacts with other ontogenetic, pathological and psychosocial conditions. According to recent findings growing consumption of internet pornography mainly in male ADHD population is closely related to compulsive sexual behavior and hypersexuality. Recent findings also indicate that consumption of internet pornography in ADHD individuals and other sexual activities may serve as a mood-altering “self-medication” which may help to cope with stressful events and decrease depression and anxiety. Taken together recent findings indicate that internet pornography consumption mainly in ADHD individuals is closely related to stressful experiences, anxiety, depression and identity problems in partnerships which significantly increase their vulnerability to the so-called “problematic pornography use” and other forms of addictive sexual behavior. From this developmental perspective “problematic pornography use” in ADHD individuals represents significant epidemiological problem which requires further research mainly with focus on clinical diagnostics and treatment.
This article analyzes debates about online pornography filters and youth in the Swedish press between 2016 and 2020, focusing on the depiction of boys and young men. Critics of filtering software argued that boys could self-regulate if they were provided better sex education and if parents communicated with them about pornography. In contrast, advocates posited that boys are incapable of developing healthy sexuality because online pornography is a powerful drug that leads to addiction and contributes to a rape culture. As boys were considered unable to get a filter “in their head,” proponents argued for disciplinary supervision through software in schools.
Researchers hypothesize that social capital in the United States is not just declining, but that it is declining across generations or birth cohorts. Testing this proposition, we examine changes in social capital using age-period-cohort intrinsic estimator models. Results from analyses of 1972–2010 General Social Survey data show (1. that informal association with neighbors declined across periods while informal association with friends outside of the neighborhood increased across birth cohorts; (2. that formal association was comparatively stable with the exception of relatively high levels of formal association among the early 1920s and early 1930s birth cohorts; and (3. that trust declined considerably across both periods and cohorts, though the oldest cohorts are less trusting than those born in the 1920s through the 1940s. While the results suggest that changes in social capital are more complex than the simple decline depicted by many researchers, the aspects of social capital that have declined may be essential for promoting social and political participation.
Despite the theoretical emphasis on religious decline in modern societies, sociologists remain divided over trends in religious activity and belief that support or refute claims of religious decline. Much of this disagreement stems from the inability to distinguish between period and cohort effects when analyzing repeated cross-sectional survey data. I use the intrinsic estimator, a recently developed method of simultaneously estimating age, period, and cohort effects, to examine changes in Americans’ religious service attendance, prayer, belief in the afterlife, and biblical literalism. Results show that regular service attendance declines, predominantly across cohorts. There are also period- and cohort-based declines in biblical literalism and a cohort-based decline in prayer. Belief in the afterlife is relatively stable across periods and cohorts. These results provide mixed support for theories of religious decline, and they demonstrate the importance of differentiating between period and cohort effects on social change.
To understand women’s reasons for continuing long-term abusive relationships, inter-views were conducted with 36 women who were over the age of 55. These women matured during times of sweeping social changes with the feminist, battered women’s, and elder abuse movements. Reasons for remaining were organized into three categories: cohort, period, and aging effects. Cohort effects included reasons similar to those of younger women such as lacking education or job skills. Period effects related to efforts to seek help early in the abusive relationship and receiving little assistance from society’s social institutions. Finally, aging effects dealt with how the health challenges of physical age limited options.
This study examined correlates of pornography acceptance and use within a normative (nonclinical) population of emerging adults (individuals aged 18—26). Participants included 813 university students (500 women; M age = 20 years) recruited from six college sites across the United States. Participants completed online questionnaires regarding their acceptance and use of pornography, as well as their sexual values and activity, substance use, and family formation values. Results revealed that roughly two thirds (67% ) of young men and one half (49%) of young women agree that viewing pornography is acceptable, whereas nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) young men and nearly one third (31%) of young women reported using pornography. Results also revealed associations between pornography acceptance and use and emerging adults' risky sexual attitudes and behaviors, substance use patterns, and nonmarital cohabitation values. The discussion considers the implications of pornography use during the transition to adulthood.
Spectacular growth in availability of sexually explicit material on the Internet challenges sexual science to study antecedents and consequences of experience with such content. The current analysis attempts to provide a conceptual and empirical context for emerging work in this area. Our discussion begins with a summary of some of what has been learned from existing research concerning sexually explicit materials in contexts other than the Internet, and considers lessons from this work that may inform emerging research concerning Internet sexuality. A social psychological theory, the Sexual Behavior Sequence (Byrne, 1977), is then applied in an initial effort to conceptualize a number of antecedents and consequences of experience with Internet sexuality. Discussion closes with consideration of an agenda for future research concerning antecedents and consequences of experience with Internet sexually explicit materials.
Responding to a call for research on pornography and women's sexuality made by Weinberg, Williams, Kleiner, and Irizarry (2010), this study assessed pornography consumption, predictors, and correlates using nationally representative data gathered from U.S. women between 1973 and 2010 (N = 18,225). Women who were younger, less religious, and non-White were more likely to consume pornography. Women who consumed pornography had more positive attitudes toward extramarital sex, adult premarital sex, and teenage sex. Women who consumed pornography also had more sexual partners in the prior year, prior 5 years, and were more likely to have engaged in extramarital sex and paid sex. Consistent with Wright's (2011a) acquisition, activation, application model of mass media sexual socialization and the theorizing of Linz and Malamuth (1993), liberal-conservative ideology moderated the association between pornography exposure and sexual behavior. Specifically, the positive association between pornography exposure and women's recent sexual behavior was strongest for the most liberal women and weakest for the most conservative women. Cultural commentators and some academics argue that technological advances have resulted in a steady increase in the percentage of individuals who consume pornography. Little support was found for this assertion among U.S. women.
A new approach to the statistical estimation of age-period-cohort (APC) accounting models, called the intrinsic estimator (IE), recently has been developed. This article (1) further describes the IE alge-braically, geometrically, and verbally, (2) reviews properties of the IE as a statistical estimator, (3) provides model validation evidence for the IE both from an empirical example and from a simulation exercise, (4) relates the coefficients of the IE to those of conventional constrained APC models using formal definitions of statistical es-timability, hypothesis testing, and empirical applications that di-rectly address a criticism that often has been lodged at general-purpose methods of APC analysis, and (5) introduces computer software for application of the IE that interested users can readily access. The authors conclude that the IE holds the potential for applications not only to APC analysis but also to similar problems of structural underidentification in sociology.
Four studies examined the relation between college students' own attitudes toward alcohol use and their estimates of the attitudes of their peers. All studies found widespread evidence of pluralistic ignorance: Students believed that they were more uncomfortable with campus alcohol practices than was the average student. Study 2 demonstrated this perceived self-other difference also with respect to one's friends. Study 3 traced attitudes toward drinking over the course of a semester and found gender differences in response to perceived deviance: Male students shifted their attitudes over time in the direction of what they mistakenly believed to be the norm, whereas female students showed no such attitude change. Study 4 found that students' perceived deviance correlated with various measures of campus alienation, even though that deviance was illusory. The implications of these results for general issues of norm estimation and responses to perceived deviance are discussed.
Hooking up--when two people agree to engage in sexual behavior for which there is no future commitment--has become popular on college campuses. In this study we examined the extent to which pluralistic ignorance affects hooking up. One hundred thirty-six female and 128 male college students answered questions regarding their own comfort and their perceived peers comfort in engaging in a variety of sexual behaviors while hooking up. We hypothesized and found that both women and men rated their peers as being more comfortable engaging in these behaviors than they rated themselves. Men expressed more comfort than did women in engaging in these behaviors, and both sexes overestimated the other gender s comfort with hooking up behaviors. Pluralistic ignorance appears to apply to hooking up on college campuses, and we explore some potential consequences of pluralistic ignorance in this context.
The goal was to assess the extent of unwanted and wanted exposure to online pornography among youth Internet users and associated risk factors.
A telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1500 youth Internet users aged 10 to 17 years was conducted between March and June 2005.
Forty-two percent of youth Internet users had been exposed to online pornography in the past year. Of those, 66% reported only unwanted exposure. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to compare youth with unwanted exposure only or any wanted exposure with those with no exposure. Unwanted exposure was related to only 1 Internet activity, namely, using file-sharing programs to download images. Filtering and blocking software reduced the risk of unwanted exposure, as did attending an Internet safety presentation by law enforcement personnel. Unwanted exposure rates were higher for teens, youth who reported being harassed or sexually solicited online or interpersonally victimized offline, and youth who scored in the borderline or clinically significant range on the Child Behavior Checklist subscale for depression. Wanted exposure rates were higher for teens, boys, and youth who used file-sharing programs to download images, talked online to unknown persons about sex, used the Internet at friends' homes, or scored in the borderline or clinically significant range on the Child Behavior Checklist subscale for rule-breaking. Depression also could be a risk factor for some youth. Youth who used filtering and blocking software had lower odds of wanted exposure.
More research concerning the potential impact of Internet pornography on youth is warranted, given the high rate of exposure, the fact that much exposure is unwanted, and the fact that youth with certain vulnerabilities, such as depression, interpersonal victimization, and delinquent tendencies, have more exposure.
This book tells the definitive story of the sexual and relationship values and practices of young adults. The authors draw upon their analysis of nationally representative data and scores of in-person interviews to help shed light on numerous questions about the sex lives of young Americans, including how long their relationships last, how quickly they become sexual, why the double standard is so stubborn, who remains a virgin and for how long, how gender imbalances in college change the rules of mating, the "price" of sex and its effects on relationship security, how online social networking and porn alter the market in relationships, how emerging adults think about marriage and relationship permanence, who marries early, why the age at marriage is rising rapidly, and how "red" and "blue" politics are reflected in our sexual choices. This book reveals striking disparities between college students and those who never pursued higher education, between conservatives and liberals, and between men and women in their experiences of romantic and sexual relationships. Although women continue to make great strides in higher education and the economy, their relationships are stalling and making many of them unhappy. Quests for sexual chemistry fall short or even backfire, revealing discordant experiences with serial monogamy among many men and women. And yet the powerful scripts of sexual equality and romantic individualism propel emerging adults forward to try again. The result is an omnibus study of sex and relationships in the lives of heterosexual emerging adults in America.
The current study investigated four possible causal mechanisms underlying the false consensus effect in the context of cigarette smoking. Little support was found for attributional or conformity-based mechanisms. However, support for both a selective exposure and a motivational explanation was found.
This present study examined agreement between retrospective accounts of substance use and earlier re ported substance use in a high school age sample. Three issues were addressed: (1) extent of overall agreement; (2) evidence for the presence of a response-shift bias; and (3) extent to which current use biases recall of substance use. Subjects were 415 high school students who took part in a smoking prevention program. At the last measurement, which took place 2½ years after the pretest, the students were asked to recall pretest use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, and use one year earlier. Results showed an overall tendency for students to recall less use of uncontrolled substances than had been previously reported. For the one controlled substance included in the questionnaire, marijuana, current nonusers tended to recall less use than they had reported at the time, whereas current users tended to recall more use than had been re ported. The present study found no evidence for a response-shift bias. It is suggested that the explicitly worded anchors on the response scales helped prevent such a bias. Finally, the results suggest that current use biases recall of past use to a substantial extent, and that this bias affects recall of alcohol use most se verely.
Literature regarding sexual use of the Internet has primarily focused on anecdotal data of clinical cases. This study empirically examines the characteristics and usage patterns of individuals who use the Internet for sexual purposes. The Kalichman Sexual Compulsivity Scale was the primary tool used to divide the sample (n = 9,265) into four groups: nonsexually compulsive (n = 7,738), moderately sexually compulsive (n = 1,007), sexually compulsive (n = 424), and cybersex compulsive (n = 96); 17% of the entire sample scored in the problematic range for sexual compulsivity. Data analysis of the four groups indicated statistically significant differences on descriptive characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and occupation. In addition, patterns of use differed across groups including the primary method of pursuing sexual materials, primary location of accessing sexual material, and the extent to which cybersex has interfered with a respondent's life. This study is one of the few quantitative examinations of the patterns of problematic and compulsive use of the Internet for sexual purposes. Implications and suggestions for research, public education, and professional trainings are presented.
One view of secularization is that it can be conceived of as declining
religious authority. Although studies conducted in the 1990s suggested that confidence
in the leaders of religious organizations—a promising indicator of religious
authority—decreased in the 1970s and 1980s, research has not examined recent
trends. The goals of this study are to (1) examine trends in confidence using data
from the early 1970s through 2010 and (2) use recent advances in age-period-cohort
analysis to provide a more robust empirical examination of these trends. Using data
from the cumulative General Social Surveys, 1973–2010, the results suggest that,
even after considering age effects, period declines in confidence have continued, but
declines by birth cohort were primarily among those born in the boomer and early
post-boomer generations (roughly 1945–1970) relative to those born earlier (pre-
1945) or later (post-1970). Moreover, these effects appear to be due mainly to
differences in religious participation, especially among more recent cohorts. In
particular, there has been a rebound in confidence among members of the younger
generation who attend religious services.
In a normless society, such as ours, the prob ability of continuing deterioration is evident if the mass com munications media's emotional debasing of human behavior continues unabated. The law, cognizant of the problem but unable to effectively moderate the flow of pornography and demeaning sexual behavior in areas of public communication, suggests the need to establish some form of direct social control. In order to offset their cumulative and debasing effect, it is tentatively proposed that the flexibility of the mass media be matched by an equally flexible monitoring- voting system ("monivoting"), under which public controls may be imposed within a matter of hours. The proposals are perceived as a socio-cultural necessity for the continuing vitality of the nation.
For the past 80 years or more, social scientists have attempted to analyze cross-time data, using as explanatory variables age and time (or phenomena that are time-specific). When such data are analyzed in aggregate forms, age and time are typically grouped and polytomized. More recently, some investigators have adopted an analytic focus in which cohort membership, as defined by the period and age at which an individual observation can first enter an age-by-period data array, is held to be more important than age or period for substantive understanding. This focus has led to age-cohort and period-cohort models, as distinguished form age-period models. This paper is concerned with models for situations in which all three of age, period, and cohort are potentially relevant for the study of a substantive phenomenon.
What are the social roles assumed by men and women in contemporary sexually explicit movies, and in what contexts are their actions portrayed? Perhaps more important, have the predominant themes of pornography shifted in response to the public scrutiny and criticism popular in the mid-1980s? In this investigation we addressed these questions using a random sample of 50 pornographic videotapes drawn from an archive of essentially all such materials targeted for heterosexual consumers available in the international marketplace from 1979 to 1988. The findings revealed that some thematic aspects of modern pornographic movies have shifted over time. Significant increases were evident in the frequency of portrayals of sex between casual acquaintances, males engaging in sex with female superordinates, female characters persuading males into sexual activities, and the performance of fellatio as the initial sexual behavior among heterosexual partners. Over time, a significant decrease in the number of depictions involving sex between colleagues in a workplace or a prostitute-client relationship was also apparent. Taken together, however, the data show that contemporary pornographic movies continue to spotlight the sexual desires and prowess of men while consistently and persistently portraying women as sexually willing and available.
Age-period-cohort (APC) accounting models have long been objects of attention in statistical studies of human populations. It is well known that the identification problem created by the linear dependency of age, period, and cohort (Period = Age + Cohort or P = A + C) presents a major methodological challenge to APC analysis, a problem that has been widely addressed in demography, epidemiology, and statistics. This paper compares parameter estimates and model fit statistics produced by two solutions to the identification problem in age-period-cohort models—namely, the conventional demographic approach of constrained generalized linear models (Fienberg and Mason 1978, 1985; Mason and Smith 1985) and the intrinsic estimator method recently developed by Fu (2000; Knight and Fu 2000; Fu, Hall, and Rohan 2004). We report empirical analyses of applications of these two methods to population data on U.S. female mortality rates. Comparisons of parameter estimates suggest that both constrained generalized linear models and the intrinsic estimator method can yield similar estimates of age, period, and cohort effects, but estimates obtained by the intrinsic estimator are more direct and do not require prior information to select appropriate model identifying constraints. We also describe three statistical properties of the estimators: (1) finite-time-period bias, (2) relative statistical efficiency, and (3) consistency as the number of periods of observed data increases. These empirical analyses and theoretical results suggest that the intrinsic estimator may well provide a useful alternative to conventional methods for the APC analysis of demographic rates.
Taxpayers may estimate others’ acceptance of tax evasion as being greater than their own. This self–other discrepancy in tax ethics could undermine people’s tax compliance as they conform to the misperceived social norm. Feedback about the self–other discrepancy could correct the misperception and improve compliance. This approach was first tested in a scenario study with 64 students. Respondents showed the expected self–other discrepancy in tax ethics and feedback about the finding increased their hypothetical compliance. Further results showed that the effect was due to the intervention improving the perception of others’ tax ethics, as expected. Study 2, a field experiment with 1500 Australian taxpayers, replicated the self–other discrepancy and provided taxpayers with information about the result. Compared to control groups, the feedback did not affect work-related expenses claims but significantly reduced other deduction claims.
Age Period Cohort Characteristic (APCC) models provide a powerful method for testing theories that involve age, period, and cohort effects, but much of that power remains unrecognized. Studies that use this method almost always focus on a single explanatory cohort characteristic and control for only age groups and periods. Even with this simple model, we note that the relationship between the dependent variable and the cohort characteristic is controlled not only for historical period and for age, but also for the period in which the cohort was born. The APCC models can accommodate controls for “contemporaneous” variables such as age/period-specific measures of percentage Black as well as for additional cohort characteristics. Autocorrelated errors, due to cohort residuals, can arise in APCC models, and we derive methods to detect and deal with this autocorrelation. OLS or WLS typically are employed to estimate the parameters in APCC models; we note that other estimation techniques, e.g., Poisson regression or logistic regression may at times be more appropriate. An empirical example illustrates these refinements and extensions using a substantively important data set.
Although both storied and extensive, social scientific research on the effects of pornography consumption on males has primarily focused on testing the feminist contention that pornography contributes to sexual aggression against females. Other parties have expressed concern about males’ use of pornography, however. “Moralists” (Linz & Malamuth, 199325.
Linz , D. , &
Malamuth , N. ( 1993 ). Pornography . Newbury Park , CA : Sage . [CrossRef]View all references) have argued that pornography promotes a permissive approach to sexual relations. Public health researchers have hypothesized that pornography encourages epidemiologically risky sexual behavior. This study used cross-sectional General Social Survey data gathered between 1973 and 2010 to assess these claims for empirical support. In line with moralists’ contentions, pornography consumption was associated with having more positive attitudes toward teenage sex, adult premarital sex, and extramarital sex. Pornography consumption was also positively related to actually engaging in extramarital sex. In line with public health researchers’ concerns, pornography consumption was associated with having more sexual partners and engaging in paid sex behavior. Additional longitudinal and experimental research is needed to determine the directionality of these associations and to rule out possible third-variable confounds, such as erotophilia or hypersexuality. Regarding consumption, the percentage of adult U.S. males who consume pornography appears to have increased only slightly over time.
In this paper, I examine temporal changes in U.S. adult mortality by chronic disease cause of death and by sex over a 40-year
period in the second half of the twentieth century. I apply age-period-cohort (APC) analyses that combine conventional approaches
and a new method of model estimation to simultaneously account for age, period, and cohort variations in mortality rates for
four leading causes of deaths, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and breast cancer. The results show that large
reductions in mortality since the late 1960s continued well into the late 1990s and that these reductions were predominately
contributed by cohort effects. Cohort effects are found to differ by specific causes of death examined, but they generally
show substantial survival improvements. Implications of these results are discussed with regard to demographic theories of
mortality reductions, differential cohort accumulation of health capital and lifetime exposures to socioeconomic and behavioral
risk factors, and period changes in diagnostic techniques and medical treatment.
Porn generation: How social liberalism is corrupting our future
- B Shapiro