Article

Eliminate Chronic Internet Pornography Use to Reveal Its Effects

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Abstract

There’s growing evidence that today’s streaming pornography videos are sui generis, with unique properties such as inexhaustible sexual novelty at a swipe, effortless escalation to more extreme material, and accessibility by youthful viewers, and that these unique properties are giving rise to severe symptoms in some consumers. Formal research on internet pornography (IP) has thus far failed to illuminate the phenomenon adequately. The usual correlation studies cannot establish which related factor causes another (or whether an effect is bi-directional). Yet establishing causation is critically important lest symptoms caused by IP overuse be confounded with evidence of psychological traits and indications of mental disorders. The most effective way to reveal the effects of IP is to ask study participants to give up IP use for an extended period and compare them with controls. A possible research design is described.

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... While pornography hasn't been universally integrated into the realm of addiction (APA, 2013; Ley et al., 2014), some researchers contend that excessive pornography consumption can indeed be classified as an addiction (Cacioppo et al., 2018;Kühn & Gallinat, 2014;Wilson, 2012Wilson, , 2016Zimbardo & Coulombe, 2016), due to its potential impact on sexual dysfunctions (Park et al., 2016), erectile dysfunction, and orgasm difficulties (Sutton et al., 2015;Wéry & Billieux, 2016;Zimbardo & Coulombe, 2016). These scholars assert that pornography should be designated as an addiction due to compulsive attitudes towards consumption and the resultant uncontrollable behavior and consequences (Manning, 2006;Spenhoff et al., 2013). ...
... Secondly, individuals who frequently engage with pornography or are addicted to it may experience sexual dysfunctions (Park et al., 2016;Sutton et al., 2015;Wilson, 2016). These dysfunctions can manifest as problems with achieving and maintaining erections, diminished attention to real sexual activities, reduced interest in sexual performance, heightened reliance on arousal from pornography, and difficulties in sustaining erections (Sun et al., 2015;Zimbardo & Coulombe, 2016). ...
... Previous studies indicated that high frequency of watching pornography relates to sexual dysfunction (Park et al., 2016;Wilson, 2016), dysfunction in family life (Morgan, 2011), happiness and religiosity (Paterson & Price, 2012), depression and anxiety (Voon et al, 2014;Weaver et al., 2011), and tendency to sexual assaults among adolescents (Bonino et al., 2019). The current findings also indicated that higher frequency of watching pornography was significantly associated with the effects of pornography on daily and sexual life, life satisfaction, and feeling stressful. ...
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This study aims to develop the Online Pornography Addiction Scale (OPAS) using the behavioral addiction model and to explore the relationships between the scale, demographic variables, psychosocial variables, and pornography viewing behaviors. Two studies were conducted, the first of which involved two phases. The findings from Study 1a and Study 1b reveal that the OPAS comprises 23 items organized into four sub-scales: Compulsiveness-Uncontrollability, Psychosocial Effects, Sexual Effects, and Tolerance-Withdrawal. Overall, the scale demonstrates consistency and reliability. The results of Study 2 indicate that the OPAS correlates with gender, access to professional support, levels of hopelessness, communication with partners, degree of religious affiliation, engagement with sexual videos, frequency of pornography consumption, time devoted to pornography viewing, longest duration without pornography, impact of pornography on sexual experiences, and influence of pornography on daily life. Communication with partners of the opposite sex, engagement with sexual videos, impact on daily life, and religious affiliation levels are also significant predictors of the OPAS score. These findings are discussed in relation to relevant literature.
... These have previously been summarized into three domains: sexual functioning deficits with partners but not with pornography (termed porn-induced erectile dysfunction [PIED]), acute cognitive and affective deficits following masturbation to pornography (somewhat akin to a substance-induced "hang over"), as well as tolerance and escalation (which are well known markers of addiction) as reflected by consuming greater amounts of pornography and/or more intense sexual genres over time. [17][18][19] Although empirical assessment is generally lacking for the aforementioned symptom clusters, suggestions have emerged that porn-related tolerance and escalation may precipitate partnered sexual dysfunction and acute cognitiveaffective issues following pornography use. 17,18,20 As such, these effects will be collectively referred to herein as "addiction-like" symptoms. ...
... [17][18][19] Although empirical assessment is generally lacking for the aforementioned symptom clusters, suggestions have emerged that porn-related tolerance and escalation may precipitate partnered sexual dysfunction and acute cognitiveaffective issues following pornography use. 17,18,20 As such, these effects will be collectively referred to herein as "addiction-like" symptoms. ...
... 26 It is possible, though, that PIED only emerges with increased pornography use, such as among clinical samples 11,[20][21][22][23][24] and not in milder cases. 27,28 PPU forum members also report a range of immediate nonsexual symptoms resulting from their porn use, including concentration difficulties, unexplained lethargy, social anxiety and depressive symptoms, 17,18,29 collectively referred to herein as "cognitive-affective symptoms." Although CSBD is frequently associated with comorbid psychopathology such as depressive and anxiety disorders/symptoms, 30,31 such presentations are not generally considered immediate consequences of sexual behavior itself, particularly in the hours post-orgasm, and the underlying mechanisms for the aforementioned cognitive-affective symptoms are currently unclear. ...
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Background Although problematic pornography use (PPU) will soon be diagnosable through the International Classification for Diseases, 11th revision, its clinical profile remains contentious. The current study assessed whether PPU may be characterized by various symptoms sometimes observed among online recovery forums that currently lack empirical assessment, such as heightened cognitive-affective issues following pornography use and sexual dysfunction with partners as a result of escalating use. Method Cross-sectional surveys were completed by male PPUs ( N = 138, mean age = 31.75 years, standard deviation = 10.72) recruited via online recovery communities and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the Problematic Pornography Use Scale as the dependent variable and variables of interest (Arizona Sexual Experiences Scales modified for partnered sex and pornography use, Brunel Mood Scale, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, and the Tolerance subscale from the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale) and potential confounders (eg, comorbid psychopathology) as independent variables. Results Current levels of pornography use, indicators of tolerance and escalation, greater sexual functioning with pornography, and psychological distress were uniquely associated with PPU severity, while cognitive-affective issues after pornography use, impulsivity and compulsivity were not. Although sexual dysfunction did not predict PPU severity, nearly half the sample indicated sexual dysfunction with intimate partners. Conclusions The present findings suggest that PPU may be characterized by tolerance and escalation (as per substance addiction models), greater sexual responsivity toward pornography, and psychological distress. Meanwhile, the high rate of partnered sexual dysfunction observed suggests that PPU might be somewhat separable from other forms of compulsive sexual behavior.
... It would be desirable for the Manifesto to address the concerns of the online pornography recovery communities and members of 12-step programmes such as Sex Addicts Anonymous [18,19,26]. So far, we know of no quantitative research that has investigated elimination of digital porn use to reverse sexual dysfunction and a variety of mental health disorders reported by those who quit [27]. ...
... Is it a bidirectional process -to what extent are these mental health issues powering the PMO cycle? Work in this space to test causation was recommended as far back as 2016 [27], but has yet to gain funding. ...
... First, factors such as narcissism are regularly shown as correlates of heavy pornography usage [46], but few studies look at what happens to personality factors after people end problematic pornography use. Do they remain constant or is there an individual and/or population tendency for them to revert to what they were before the individual began engaging in PUP [27]. Other recent studies have highlighted the need for longitudinal studies in this area [47]. ...
Article
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The Manifesto for a European research network into Problematic Usage of the Internet was published in May 2018. It was written from the perspective of the COST Action Network, a programme of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology CA16207 and is expected to have significant influence on research funding priorities over the next decade. The Manifesto identified nine key research priorities to advance understanding in the field. Our analysis shows that while at the most general level it identified problematic usage of pornography (PUP) as a key research priority, it then barely mentioned it again within the body of the report. This paper uses the Manifesto’s framework to suggest research areas into the problematic usage of pornography which are of particular relevance to clinicians and other professionals working in the field who want to develop approaches to assist individuals and target groups affected by PUP. It also looks at potential research opportunities inspired by the lived-experience of users withdrawing from PUP. A large number of opportunities are identified for new work on PUP across all nine key research areas of the Manifesto.
... Notably, over the past decade, there has been a growing movement of pornography users utilizing online forums (e.g., NoFap.com, r/NoFap, Reboot Nation) attempting to abstain from pornography due to problems attributed to excessive pornography use (Wilson, 2014(Wilson, , 2016. 1 "Rebooting" is a colloquial term used by these communities that refers to the process of abstaining from pornography (sometimes accompanied by abstaining from masturbation and/or having an orgasm for a period of time) in order to recover from the negative effects of pornography (Deem, 2014b;NoFap. com, n.d.). ...
... Or, changes in psychological variables (e.g., reduction in depression or anxiety) and/or changes in sexual activity (e.g., reduction in masturbation frequency) during abstinence could have contributed to improvements in sexual functioning. Future randomized controlled studies isolating the effects of abstaining from pornography (Fernandez et al., 2020;Wilson, 2016) in particular are needed to validate whether each of these specific perceived benefits can be conclusively attributed to the removal of pornography use specifically, and to rule out possible third variable explanations for these perceived benefits. Also, the current study design allowed mainly for observation of perceived positive effects of abstinence, and less so for perceived negative effects. ...
Article
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A growing number of individuals using online forums are attempting to abstain from pornography (colloquially termed “rebooting”) due to self-perceived pornography-related problems. The present qualitative study explored phenomenological experiences of abstinence among members of an online “rebooting” forum. A total of 104 abstinence journals by male forum members were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of four themes (with a total of nine subthemes) emerged from the data: (1) abstinence is the solution to pornography-related problems, (2) sometimes abstinence seems impossible, (3) abstinence is achievable with the right resources, and (4) abstinence is rewarding if persisted with. Members’ primary reasons for initiating “rebooting” involved desiring to overcome a perceived addiction to pornography and/or alleviate perceived negative consequences attributed to pornography use, especially sexual difficulties. Successfully achieving and maintaining abstinence was typically experienced to be very challenging due to habitual behavior patterns and/or cravings triggered by a multiplicity of cues for pornography use, but a combination of internal (e.g., cognitive-behavioral strategies) and external (e.g., social support) resources made abstinence attainable for many members. A range of benefits attributed to abstinence by members suggest that abstaining from pornography could potentially be a beneficial intervention for problematic pornography use, although future prospective studies are needed to rule out possible third variable explanations for these perceived effects and to rigorously evaluate abstinence as an intervention. The present findings shed light on what the “rebooting” experience is like from members’ own perspectives and provide insights into abstinence as an approach for addressing problematic pornography use.
... In one study, 60% of patients who suffered sexual dysfunction with a real partner, characteristically did not have this problem with pornography [8]. Some argue that causation between pornography use and sexual dysfunction is difficult to establish, since true controls not exposed to pornography are rare to find [81] and have proposed a possible research design in this regard. • Psychosexual dissatisfaction: pornography use has been associated with sexual dissatisfaction and sexual dysfunction, for both males and females [82], being more critical of one's body or their partner's, increased performance pressure and less actual sex [83], having more sexual partners and engaging in paid sex behavior [34]. ...
... Most of the studies referenced use subjects with a long-term exposure to online pornography [34,81,113,114], so its clinical manifestations appear to be a direct and proportional consequence of engaging in this maladaptive behavior. We mentioned difficulty in obtaining controls to establish causation, but some case reports suggest that reducing or abandoning this behavior may cause improvement in pornography-induced sexual dysfunction and psychosexual dissatisfaction [79,80] and even full recovery; this would imply that the previously mentioned brain alterations are somewhat reversible. ...
Article
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In the last few years, there has been a wave of articles related to behavioral addictions; some of them have a focus on online pornography addiction. However, despite all efforts, we are still unable to profile when engaging in this behavior becomes pathological. Common problems include: sample bias, the search for diagnostic instrumentals, opposing approximations to the matter, and the fact that this entity may be encompassed inside a greater pathology (i.e., sex addiction) that may present itself with very diverse symptomatology. Behavioral addictions form a largely unexplored field of study, and usually exhibit a problematic consumption model: loss of control, impairment, and risky use. Hypersexual disorder fits this model and may be composed of several sexual behaviors, like problematic use of online pornography (POPU). Online pornography use is on the rise, with a potential for addiction considering the "triple A" influence (accessibility, affordability, anonymity). This problematic use might have adverse effects in sexual development and sexual functioning, especially among the young population. We aim to gather existing knowledge on problematic online pornography use as a pathological entity. Here we try to summarize what we know about this entity and outline some areas worthy of further research.
... Mr. Wilson wrote about pornography addiction. He was the author of a peer-reviewed paper recommending more research on pornography use (Wilson, 2016). He also co-authored another peer-reviewed paper in this field with seven U.S. Navy doctors . ...
Article
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As pornography became increasingly popular online, many unsuspecting consumers reported adverse effects. These included sexual dysfunctions, such as lack of response with real partners, delayed ejaculation, erectile difficulties, and sexual compulsivity. Some pornography consumers began congregating in online self-help portals (forums and websites) to assist one another in quitting or reducing problematic pornography use. The popularity of the self-help resources and their potential to dampen the profits of a lucrative industry resulted in disinformation campaigns run by individuals connected to the pornography industry. In this article, I examine how a paper containing significant inaccuracies about the people organising the online recovery forums passed the peer-review process while failing to disclose the author’s conflicts of interest. The author of the case study has documented affiliations with a major pornography company, MindGeek (the owner of Pornhub). Somehow, it passed peer review, lending it a false halo of credibility. Pornography industry-connected individuals then repeatedly exploited it, for example, on social media and Wikipedia, to discredit pornography self-help recovery resources.
... In addition to creating Yourbrainonporn.com, in 2012 Gary Wilson gave a TEDx talk in Glasgow, Scotland, called "The great porn experiment" (Wilson, 2012) which at the time of writing had been viewed over 16 million times on YouTube. Building upon this effort, in 2014 Wilson wrote a popular book (Wilson, 2014) and in 2016 he authored a peer-reviewed paper, recommending more research on pornography use (Wilson, 2016). ...
Article
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This case study uses routine activity theory to contextualise the method used by an external bad actor to create fake links within the Internet Archive for the Web site Yourbrainonporn.com. It then discusses the social media campaign which occurred two years later using screenshots of these fake links accessed via the Wayback Machine to defame the site owner. An organised disinformation campaign on social media began attacking the site owner of Yourbrainonporn.com (a pornography recovery Web site) for allegedly, accidentally, posting evidence on his own site of him searching for and hosting hardcore pornography. In fact, the list of purportedly incriminating links did not point to any content, but the defamers’ intentions seemed to have always been to set up a smear campaign against a particular site and its author. Options are discussed for the Internet Archive to provide improved guardianship and to educate the public to minimise harm from this type of social media attack based on screenshots of fake URLs.
... The crucial difference is that with short-term abstinence the goal in many cases would be to return to controlled use following the abstinence period. Temporarily disentangling from continued, unrestrained engagement in a behavior could, theoretically, undo to a specific extent negative effects caused by excessive engagement in the behavior (e.g., Wilson, 2016) or enhance self-awareness or insight into the behavior. Abstinence tasks also require practicing self-control, which might increase capacity for selfcontrol strength (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000), and successful abstinence attempts might increase abstinence/avoidance self-efficacy (e.g., Hodgins, Peden, & Makarchuk, 2004;Kraus, Rosenberg, Martino, Nich, & Potenza, 2017). ...
Article
Observing short-term abstinence effects across potential behavioral addictions is vital for informing understanding about how addiction-related symptoms (withdrawal, craving and relapse) might manifest across these behaviors. Short-term abstinence may also have potential as a clinical intervention for behavioral addictions. This review aimed to synthesize existing research evidence on short-term abstinence effects across potential behavioral addictions in light of (1) manifestations of withdrawal, craving and relapse, and (2) benefits or counterproductive consequences of abstinence. We reviewed 47 prospective studies examining effects of short-term abstinence across six potential behavioral addictions (exercise, gambling, gaming, mobile phone use, pornography use, social media use). Findings of the review showed that there is a paucity of prospective studies investigating abstinence effects in relation to potential behavioral addictions, except for exercise. Across all behaviors, exercise demonstrated the clearest pattern of withdrawal-related symptoms mainly related to mood disturbances. While withdrawal and craving were investigated to a fair extent across the studies, the study of relapse using abstinence protocols is underutilized within behavioral addiction research. Short-term abstinence shows promise as an intervention for some problematic behaviors, especially gaming, pornography use, mobile phone use, and social media use. However, potential counterproductive consequences of abstinence (e.g., rebound effects and compensatory behaviors) were not adequately assessed by the studies, which limits current evaluation of the utility of abstinence as an intervention.
... This is suggested by the convergence of findings across cross-sectional surveys, longitudinal surveys, and experiments. Pragmatically, and following the suggestion of causal impact, to whatever extent an impersonal approach to sex increases the likeli- hood of antisocial behaviors, such as sexual aggression, or undesirable psychosocial consequences, such as diminished sexual satisfaction and reduced mental health, the results suggest that pornography may be seen as a risk factor and target for interven- tion (e.g., interventions targeting reductions in pornography use or increased pornog- raphy literacy; Wilson, 2016). It is beyond the scope of this study to ascertain the impact of an impersonal approach to sex on these or any other undesirable outcomes. ...
Article
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This paper presents meta-analytic findings on pornography consumption and impersonal sexual attitudes and behaviors. Results were based on more than 70 reports spanning over 40 years of research. Data from 13 countries were located, with attitudinal results from more than 45,000 participants and behavioral results from over 60,000 participants. Pornography consumption was associated with an impersonal approach to sex among both men and women; among both adolescents and adults; and across countries, time, and methods. Mediation results were consistent with the sexual script theory hypothesis that viewing pornography leads to more impersonal sexual attitudes, which in turn increase the likelihood of engaging in impersonal sexual behavior. Confounding analysis did not support the libertarian theory of pornography's hypothesis that the only reason why pornography consumption correlates with impersonal sexual behavior is because people who are already impersonal in their approach to sex are more likely to consume pornography and engage in impersonal sexual acts.
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The present study aimed to explore whether scores on the Cyber Pornography Use Inventory-9 (CPUI-9) are reflective of actual compulsivity. We examined whether CPUI-9 scores are predicted by failed abstinence attempts and failed abstinence attempts × abstinence effort (conceptualized as actual compulsivity), controlling for moral disapproval. A group of 76 male Internet pornography users received instructions to abstain from Internet pornography for 14 days and to monitor their failed abstinence attempts. Greater Perceived Compulsivity scores (but not Emotional Distress scores) were predicted by abstinence effort, and failed abstinence attempts when abstinence effort was high. Moral disapproval predicted Emotional Distress scores, but not Perceived Compulsivity scores. Implications of the findings are discussed.
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Several studies using different methods have found that pornography consumption is associated with lower sexual satisfaction. The language used by media-effects scholars in discussions of this association implies an expectation that lowered satisfaction is primarily due to frequent-but not infrequent-consumption. Actual analyses, however, have assumed linearity. Linear analyses presuppose that for each increase in the frequency of pornography consumption there is a correspondingly equivalent decrease in sexual satisfaction. The present brief report explored the possibility that the association is curvilinear. Survey data from two studies of heterosexual adults, one conducted in England and the other in Germany, were employed. Results were parallel in each country and were not moderated by gender. Quadratic analysis indicated a curvilinear relationship, in the form of a predominantly negative, concave downward curve. Simple slope analyses suggested that when the frequency of consumption reaches once a month, sexual satisfaction begins to decrease, and that the magnitude of the decrease becomes larger with each increase in the frequency of consumption. The observational nature of the data employed precludes any causal inferences. However, if an effects perspective was adopted, these results would suggest that low rates of pornography consumption have no impact on sexual satisfaction and that adverse effects initiate only after consumption reaches a certain frequency.
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Traditional factors that once explained men's sexual difficulties appear insufficient to account for the sharp rise in erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, decreased sexual satisfaction, and diminished libido during partnered sex in men under 40. This review (1) considers data from multiple domains, e.g., clinical, biological (addiction/urology), psychological (sexual conditioning), sociological; and (2) presents a series of clinical reports, all with the aim of proposing a possible direction for future research of this phenomenon. Alterations to the brain's motivational system are explored as a possible etiology underlying pornography-related sexual dysfunctions. This review also considers evidence that Internet pornography's unique properties (limitless novelty, potential for easy escalation to more extreme material, video format, etc.) may be potent enough to condition sexual arousal to aspects of Internet pornography use that do not readily transition to real-life partners, such that sex with desired partners may not register as meeting expectations and arousal declines. Clinical reports suggest that terminating Internet pornography use is sometimes sufficient to reverse negative effects, underscoring the need for extensive investigation using methodologies that have subjects remove the variable of Internet pornography use. In the interim, a simple diagnostic protocol for assessing patients with porn-induced sexual dysfunction is put forth.
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Very little is known about how pornography use is related to the quality of committed relationships. This study examined associations among pornography use, the meaning people attach to its use, sexual quality, and relationship satisfaction. It also looked at factors that discriminate between those who use pornography and those who do not. Participants were couples (N = 617 couples) who were either married or cohabiting at the time the data were gathered. Overall results from this study indicated substantial gender differences in terms of use profiles, as well as pornography's association with relationship factors. Specifically, male pornography use was negatively associated with both male and female sexual quality, whereas female pornography use was positively associated with female sexual quality. The study also found that meaning explained a relatively small part of the relationship between pornography use and sexual quality.
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A systematic review was conducted on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the general population. Studies were retrieved which reported prevalence rates of ED in the general population. Using a specially developed criteria list, the methodological quality of these studies was assessed and data on prevalence rates were extracted. We identified 23 studies from Europe (15), USA (5), Asia (2) and Australia (1). On our 12-item criteria list, the methodological quality ranged from 5 to 12. The prevalence of ED ranged from 2% in men younger than 40 y to 86% in men 80 y and older. Comparison between prevalence data is hampered by major methodological differences between studies, particularly in the use of various questionnaires and different definitions of ED. We stress the importance of providing all necessary information when reporting on the prevalence of ED. Moreover, international studies should be conducted to establish the true prevalence of ED across countries.
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Cortical growth and remodeling continues from birth through youth and adolescence to stable adult levels changing slowly into senescence. There are critical periods of cortical development when specific experiences drive major synaptic rearrangements and learning that only occur during the critical period. For example, visual cortex is characterized by a critical period of plasticity involved in establishing visual acuity. Adolescence is defined by characteristic behaviors that include high levels of risk taking, exploration, novelty and sensation seeking, social interaction and play behaviors. In addition, adolescence is the final period of development of the adult during which talents, reasoning and complex adult behaviors mature. This maturation of behaviors corresponds with periods of marked changes in neurogenesis, cortical synaptic remodeling, neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, as well as major changes in hormones. Frontal cortical development is later in adolescence and likely contributes to refinement of reasoning, goal and priority setting, impulse control and evaluating long and short term rewards. Adolescent humans have high levels of binge drinking and experimentation with other drugs. This review presents findings supporting adolescence as a critical period of cortical development important for establishing life long adult characteristics that are disrupted by alcohol and drug use.
Article
Résumé Introduction Après une longue période de relative tolérance, la masturbation a été diabolisée et réprimée aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles, avant d’être réhabilitée au XXe siècle, puis banalisée et même valorisée depuis quelques décennies par suite de la libération des mœurs, de l’avènement de la sexologie scientifique et de l’essor des médias et d’Internet. Inoffensive et même utile dans sa forme ordinaire largement pratiquée, la masturbation sous sa forme excessive et prééminente, généralement associée de nos jours à la dépendance pornographique, est trop souvent oubliée dans l’évaluation clinique des dysfonctions sexuelles qu’elle peut induire. Objet Le but de cet article est de mettre en lumière le rôle des pratiques masturbatoires idiosynchratiques dans la genèse de deux dysfonctions sexuelles masculines, la dysfonction érectile (DE) et l’anéjaculation coïtale (AC), et d’inciter les professionnels à pratiquer une évaluation des habitudes masturbatoires dans l’entretien sexologique. Méthodologie À partir des très rares publications sur le sujet et de son expérience clinique rassemblant 35 cas, l’auteur décrit le mécanisme de ce conditionnement et propose des mesures thérapeutiques. Résultats Les premiers résultats de la prise en charge de ces patients, par déconditionnement de leurs habitudes masturbatoires et de leur addiction à la pornographie généralement associée, sont encourageants et incitent à poursuivre dans cette direction. La réduction des symptômes a été obtenue chez 19 patients sur 35. Les dysfonctions ont régressé et ils ont pu avoir une activité sexuelle satisfaisante. Ces patients sont toujours suivis de manière espacée ou bien ont été incités à revenir en cas de récidive du trouble. Ces résultats sont un signal d’efficacité potentielle et doivent être confirmés par d’autres études cliniques contrôlées. Discussion Les patients de notre échantillon ne consultaient pas pour addiction masturbatoire mais pour DE ou AC. L’addiction à la masturbation et son style idiosyncratique ne sont jamais signalés spontanément. Pour les premiers cas, devant l’absence d’autres facteurs causaux significatifs, nous les avons découverts lors d’un nouvel interrogatoire plus approfondi. C’est ce qui nous a incité, pour les cas suivants, à rechercher ces habitudes masturbatoires dès l’évaluation initiale. Conclusion La masturbation addictive, souvent accompagnée de dépendance à la cyber-pornographie, s’avère jouer un rôle étiologique dans certains cas de dysfonction érectile ou d’anéjaculation coïtale. L’identification de ces habitudes doit être systématique et ne plus être un diagnostic d’élimination afin que leur déconditionnement fasse partie intégrante de la prise en charge de ces dysfonctions.
Article
New technology has made pornography increasingly accessible to young people, and a growing evidence base has identified a relationship between viewing pornography and violent or abusive behavior in young men. This article reports findings from a large survey of 4,564 young people aged 14 to 17 in five European countries which illuminate the relationship between regular viewing of online pornography, sexual coercion and abuse and the sending and receiving of sexual images and messages, known as "sexting." In addition to the survey, which was completed in schools, 91 interviews were undertaken with young people who had direct experience of interpersonal violence and abuse in their own relationships. Rates for regularly viewing online pornography were very much higher among boys and most had chosen to watch pornography. Boys' perpetration of sexual coercion and abuse was significantly associated with regular viewing of online pornography. Viewing online pornography was also associated with a significantly increased probability of having sent sexual images/messages for boys in nearly all countries. In addition, boys who regularly watched online pornography were significantly more likely to hold negative gender attitudes. The qualitative interviews illustrated that, although sexting is normalized and perceived positively by most young people, it has the potential to reproduce sexist features of pornography such as control and humiliation. Sex and relationships education should aim to promote a critical understanding of pornography among young people that recognizes its abusive and gendered values.
Article
We examined whether the consumption of pornography affects romantic relationships, with the expectation that higher levels of pornography consumption would correspond to weakened commitment in young adult romantic relationships. Study 1 (n = 367) found that higher pornography consumption was related to lower commitment, and Study 2 (n = 34) replicated this finding using observational data. Study 3 (n = 20) participants were randomly assigned to either refrain from viewing pornography or to a self-control task. Those who continued using pornography reported lower levels of commitment than control participants. In Study 4 (n = 67), participants consuming higher levels of pornography flirted more with an extradyadic partner during an online chat. Study 5 (n = 240) found that pornography consumption was positively related to infidelity and this association was mediated by commitment. Overall, a consistent pattern of results was found using a variety of approaches including cross-sectional (Study 1), observational (Study 2), experimental (Study 3), and behavioral (Studies 4 and 5) data.
Article
Internet pornography is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has grown increasingly accessible. Delay discounting involves devaluing larger, later rewards in favor of smaller, more immediate rewards. The constant novelty and primacy of sexual stimuli as particularly strong natural rewards make Internet pornography a unique activator of the brain's reward system, thereby having implications for decision-making processes. Based on theoretical studies of evolutionary psychology and neuroeconomics, two studies tested the hypothesis that consuming Internet pornography would relate to higher rates of delay discounting. Study 1 used a longitudinal design. Participants completed a pornography use questionnaire and a delay discounting task at Time 1 and then again four weeks later. Participants reporting higher initial pornography use demonstrated a higher delay discounting rate at Time 2, controlling for initial delay discounting. Study 2 tested for causality with an experimental design. Participants were randomly assigned to abstain from either their favorite food or pornography for three weeks. Participants who abstained from pornography use demonstrated lower delay discounting than participants who abstained from their favorite food. The finding suggests that Internet pornography is a sexual reward that contributes to delay discounting differently than other natural rewards. Theoretical and clinical implications of these studies are highlighted.
Article
Pornography can affect the lifestyles of adolescents, especially in terms of their sexual habits and porn consumption, and may have a significant influence on their sexual attitudes and behaviors. The aim of this study was to understand and analyze the frequency, duration, and perception of web porn utilization by young Italians attending high school. A total of 1565 students attending the final year of high school were involved in the study, and 1492 have agreed to fill out an anonymous survey. The questions representing the content of this study were: 1) How often do you access the web? 2) How much time do you remain connected? 3) Do you connect to pornographic sites? 4) How often do you access pornographic sites? 5) How much time you spend on them? 6) How often do you masturbate? and 7) How do you rate the attendance of these sites? Statistical analysis was performed by Fischer's test. All young people, on an almost daily basis, have access to Internet. Among those surveyed, 1163 (77.9%) of Internet users admit to the consumption of pornographic material, and of these, 93 (8%) access pornographic websites daily, 686 (59%) boys accessing these sites perceive the consumption of pornography as always stimulating, 255 (21.9%) define it as habitual, 116 (10%) report that it reduces sexual interest towards potential real-life partners, and the remaining 106 (9.1%) report a kind of addiction. In addition, 19% of overall pornography consumers report an abnormal sexual response, while the percentage rose to 25.1% among regular consumers. It is necessary to educate web users, especially young users, to a safe and responsible use of the Internet and of its contents. Moreover, public education campaigns should be increased in number and frequency to help improve knowledge of Internet-related sexual issues both by adolescents and by parents.
Book
Increasing numbers of parents grapple with children who are acting out without obvious reason. Revved up and irritable, many of these children are diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar illness, autism, or other disorders but don’t respond well to treatment. They are then medicated, often with poor results and unwanted side effects. Based on emerging scientific research and extensive clinical experience, integrative child psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Dunckley has pioneered a four-week program to treat the frequent underlying cause, Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS). Dr. Dunckley has found that everyday use of interactive screen devices — such as computers, video games, smartphones, and tablets — can easily overstimulate a child’s nervous system, triggering a variety of stubborn symptoms. In contrast, she’s discovered that a strict electronic fast single-handedly improves mood, focus, sleep, and behavior, regardless of the child’s diagnosis. Offered now in this book, this simple intervention can produce a life-changing shift in brain function — all without cost or medication. Dr. Dunckley provides hope for parents who feel that their child has been misdiagnosed or inappropriately medicated, by presenting an alternative explanation for their child’s difficulties and a concrete plan for treating them.
Article
IntroductionRecent epidemiological studies reported high prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among younger heterosexual men (≤40). It has been suggested that this “epidemic” of ED is related to increased pornography use. However, empirical evidence for such association is currently lacking.AimThis study analyzes associations between pornography use and sexual health disturbances among younger heterosexual men using four large-scale online samples from three European countries.Methods The analyses were carried out using a 2011 cross-sectional online study of Croatian, Norwegian, and Portuguese men (Study 1; N = 2,737) and a 2014 cross-sectional online study of Croatian men (Study 2; N = 1,211). Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the associations between pornography use and sexual difficulties.Main Outcome MeasuresIn Study 1, erectile difficulties, inability to reach orgasm, and a lack of sexual desire were measured using the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behavior indicators. In Study 2, ED was measured with the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Delayed ejaculation and a decrease of sexual desire were assessed with one-item indicators.ResultsIn Study 1, only the relationship between pornography use and ED among Croatian men was statistically significant (χ2[2] = 18.76, P < 0.01). The association was small and inconsistent. Compared with infrequent use of pornography, moderate but not high frequency of pornography use increased the odds of reporting ED (adjusted odds ratio = 0.53, P < 0.01). In Study 2, no significant associations both between either the frequency or the recent dynamics of pornography use and male sexual dysfunctions were observed.Conclusion We found little evidence of the association between pornography use and male sexual health disturbances. Contrary to raising public concerns, pornography does not seem to be a significant risk factor for younger men's desire, erectile, or orgasmic difficulties. Landripet I and Štulhofer A. Is pornography use associated with sexual difficulties and dysfunctions among younger heterosexual men? J Sex Med **;**:**–**.
Article
This article reviews the current body of research on adult ADHD and hypersexual behavior. Drawing on perspectives from the fields of psychology and neuroscience, several suggestions are offered to explain why individuals with ADHD may be vulnerable to engaging in hypersexual behavior. Assessment guidelines are provided to help clinicians differentiate characteristics of hypersexuality from adult ADHD. Finally, recommendations are made for the treatment of adult ADHD in hypersexual patients.
Article
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the connections between pornography use (both frequency and interest in extreme pornography) and dyadic sexual relationships. Methods: Six-hundred eighty-five heterosexual South Korean male college students participated in an online survey. Results: The majority (84.5%) of respondents had viewed pornography, and for those who were sexually active (470 respondents), we found that higher interest in degrading or extreme pornography was associated with the experience of role-playing sexual scenes from pornography with a partner, and a preference for using pornography to achieve and maintain sexual excitement over having sex with a partner. Conclusions: The findings were consistent but with differences from a U.S. study with the same methodology, suggesting that attention should be paid to cultural differences.
Article
Pornography has become a primary source of sexual education. At the same time, mainstream commercial pornography has coalesced around a relatively homogenous script involving violence and female degradation. Yet, little work has been done exploring the associations between pornography and dyadic sexual encounters: What role does pornography play inside real-world sexual encounters between a man and a woman? Cognitive script theory argues media scripts create a readily accessible heuristic model for decision-making. The more a user watches a particular media script, the more embedded those codes of behavior become in their worldview and the more likely they are to use those scripts to act upon real life experiences. We argue pornography creates a sexual script that then guides sexual experiences. To test this, we surveyed 487 college men (ages 18-29 years) in the United States to compare their rate of pornography use with sexual preferences and concerns. Results showed the more pornography a man watches, the more likely he was to use it during sex, request particular pornographic sex acts of his partner, deliberately conjure images of pornography during sex to maintain arousal, and have concerns over his own sexual performance and body image. Further, higher pornography use was negatively associated with enjoying sexually intimate behaviors with a partner. We conclude that pornography provides a powerful heuristic model which is implicated in men's expectations and behaviors during sexual encounters.
Article
Abstract Hypersexuality remains an increasingly common but poorly understood patient complaint. Despite diversity in clinical presentations of patients referred for hypersexuality, the literature has maintained treatment approaches that are assumed to apply to the entire phenomenon. This approach has proven ineffective, despite its application over several decades. The present study used quantitative methods to examine demographic, mental health, and sexological correlates of common clinical subtypes of hypersexuality referrals proposed by Cantor and colleagues (2013). Findings support the existence of subtypes, each with distinct clusters of features. Paraphilic Hypersexuals reported greater numbers of sexual partners, more substance abuse, initiation to sexual activity at an earlier age, and novelty as a driving force behind their sexual behavior. Avoidant Masturbators reported greater levels of anxiety, delayed ejaculation, and use of sex as an avoidance strategy. Chronic Adulterers reported premature ejaculation and later onset of puberty. Designated Patients were less likely to report substance abuse, employment, or finance problems. Although quantitative, this paper nonetheless presents a descriptive study in which the underlying typology emerged from features most salient in routine sexological assessment. Future studies might apply purely empirical statistical techniques, such as cluster analyses, to ascertain to what extent similar typologies emerge when examined prospectively.
Article
Little is known about problems in sexual functioning among young people, despite the high rates found in adult samples. It is unclear which problems are most prevalent or how common sexual distress is for young people experiencing problems. This study aims to assess the prevalence, range, and correlates of sexual problems and distress among a sample of adolescents (16-21 years). Participants (mean age 19.2) were recruited from community and area high schools. Male adolescents (n = 114) completed online the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT). Female adolescents (n = 144) completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Both completed the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and the measures of background, relationship characteristics, and sexual histories. Clinical cutoff scores on the IIEF, PEDT, FSFI, and FSDS were used to determine whether there was a significant sexual problem. Adolescents reported extensive sexual experience, most in relationship contexts. Half of the sample (51.1%) reported a sexual problem; 50.0% reported clinically significant levels of distress associated with it. Similar rates of problems and distress were found among male and female adolescents. For the most part, adolescent characteristics, backgrounds, and experience were not associated with adolescents' sexual problems. Sexual problems are clearly prevalent among adolescents, and distressing to many who experience them, emphasizing a strong need to develop programs to address this issue. O'Sullivan LF, Brotto LA, Byers ES, Majerovich JA, and Wuest JA. Prevalence and characteristics of sexual functioning among sexually experienced middle to late adolescents. J Sex Med **;**:**-**.
Article
To describe patterns of pornography use among high school boys and to investigate differences between frequent, average, and nonfrequent users of pornography with respect to sexual experiences, lifestyles, and self-rated health. A population-based classroom survey among 16-year-old boys (n = 477), from 53 randomly selected high school classes in 2 towns in mid-Sweden. Almost all boys, 96% (n = 453), had watched pornography. Frequent users of pornography (everyday) (10%, n = 47) differed from average users (63%, n = 292) and nonfrequent users (27%, n = 126). Frequent users versus average users and nonfrequent users had more sexual experiences, such as one night stands (45, 32, 25%, respectively) and sex with friends more than 10 times (13, 10, 2%). A higher proportion of frequent users spent more than 10 straight hours at the computer several times a week (32, 5, 8%) and reported more relationship problems with peers (38, 22, 21%), truancy at least once a week (11, 6, 5%), obesity (13, 3, 3%), use of oral tobacco (36, 29, 20%), and use of alcohol (77, 70, 52%) versus average and nonfrequent users. One third of frequent users watched more pornography than they actually wanted. There were no differences between the groups regarding physical and psychological self-rated health. The boys, defined as frequent users of pornography, were more sexually experienced, spent more time at the computer, and reported an unhealthier lifestyle compared with average and nonfrequent users. No differences regarding self-rated health were detected even though obesity was twice as common among frequent users.
Article
The purposes of this study are to measure the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) and erectile dysfunction (ED) among a population of Swiss young men and to assess which factors are associated with these sexual dysfunctions in this age-group. For each condition (PE and ED), we performed separate analyses comparing young men suffering from the condition with those who were not. Groups were compared for substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, other illegal drugs, and medication without a prescription), self-reported body mass index, sexual orientation, physical activity, professional activity, sexual experience (sexual life length and age at first intercourse), depression status, mental health, and physical health in a bivariate analysis. We then used a log-linear analysis to consider all significant variables simultaneously. Prevalence rates for PE and ED were 11% and 30%, respectively. Poor mental health was the only variable to have a direct association with both conditions after controlling for potential confounders. In addition, PE was directly associated with tobacco, illegal drugs, professional activity, and physical activity, whereas ED was directly linked with medication without a prescription, length of sexual life, and physical health. In Switzerland, one-third of young men suffer from at least one sexual dysfunction. Multiple health-compromising factors are associated with these dysfunctions. These should act as red flags for health professionals to encourage them to take any opportunity to talk about sexuality with their young male patients.
Article
This study examined how levels of sexually explicit material (SEM) use during adolescence and young adulthood were associated with sexual preferences, sexual behaviors, and sexual and relationship satisfaction. Participants included 782 heterosexual college students (326 men and 456 women; M(age) = 19.9) who completed a questionnaire online. Results revealed high frequencies and multiple types and contexts of SEM use, with men's usage rates systematically higher than women's. Regression analyses revealed that both the frequency of SEM use and number of SEM types viewed were uniquely associated with more sexual experience (a higher number of overall and casual sexual intercourse partners, as well as a lower age at first intercourse). Higher frequencies of SEM use were associated with less sexual and relationship satisfaction. The frequency of SEM use and number of SEM types viewed were both associated with higher sexual preferences for the types of sexual practices typically presented in SEM. These findings suggest that SEM use can play a significant role in a variety of aspects of young adults' sexual development processes.
Article
To assess the importance of sex and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among middle-aged and older adults throughout the world. Increasing life expectancy has been accompanied by improvements in the health of the middle-aged and elderly, but little is known about how this has affected their sexual experience. Data were collected in 29 countries from 27,500 men and women aged 40 to 80 years using a standardized questionnaire (self-completed or by interview). Sexual dysfunction was defined as frequent and persistent problems. They included early ejaculation and erectile difficulties in men, lubrication difficulties and pain during intercourse in women, and a lack of sexual interest, an inability to achieve orgasm, and a feeling of unpleasurable sex in both. More than 80% of the men and 65% of the women had had sexual intercourse during the past year. Of these subjects, the most common dysfunctions were early ejaculation (14%) and erectile difficulties (10%) among the men and a lack of sexual interest (21%), inability to reach orgasm (16%), and lubrication difficulties (16%) among the women. Overall, 28% of the men and 39% of the women said that they were affected by at least one sexual dysfunction. The results of our study indicate that sexual desire and activity are widespread among middle-aged and elderly men and women worldwide and persist into old age. The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions was quite high and tended to increase with age, especially in men. Although major between-country differences were noted, this global study revealed some clear and consistent patterns.
Article
The availability of adequate treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) triggers studies into the prevalence of ED in the general population. Yet, previous studies showed different prevalence estimates partly due to differences in patient selection, in (unclear) definitions of ED and in assessment. ENIGMA has been designed to study the prevalence of ED in the general population of The Netherlands, using the WHO definition with a description of the way of assessment. In all, 5721 mail surveys were sent to all men, aged 18 y and older in 12 general practices in The Netherlands. A total of 5601 were included in the study and 2117 (38%) were completed. A total of 38% of the men reported to have ever had some kind of erectile problem. The prevalence of ED was 17% (6% mild, 4% moderate and 7% complete). Age, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, penile disorders, irradiation in the pelvic region, relational problems, fear for failure, surmenage, medication use and regular consumption of alcohol were independently related to ED. Men with ED were less content with their (sexual) life and had less confidence in sexual performance. Presence of ED was negatively related to affected happiness in life. ED is commonly found in men and is related to age, medication, comorbidity and lifestyle factors. Men with ED perceive a lower quality of (sex)life. Doctors should be aware of the presence of ED and its consequences in patients.
Early adolescent boys' exposure to Internet pornography: Relationships to pubertal timing, sensation seeking, and academic performance
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Your brain on porn: Internet pornography and the emerging science of addiction
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The porning of America: The rise of porn culture, what it means, and where we go from here
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