YBOP COMMENTS: “Problematic Pornography Use” (porn addiction) was associated with cravings, depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia & higher frequency of use – but NOT religiosity. Cravings indicate “sensitization,” which is a key addiction-related brain change.
In fact, the severity of cravings and frequency of porn use were the strongest predictors of PPU (porn addiction). Put simply, it’s not pre-existing conditions (depression, anxiety, etc.), but levels of porn use and cravings (brain changes) that correlated best with Problematic Pornography Use.
In addition, this study (like others) suggests there may be differences between “porn addiction” and “sex addiction,” which are lumped together in the ICD-11 under the umbrella diagnosis of “Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder.”
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Addictive Behaviors (2020): 106647.
S.D. Shirk, A. Saxena, D. Park, S.W. Kraus
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106647
Highlights:
- Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) is common among individuals with compulsive sexual behavior.
- US military veterans, who tend to be male and of younger age, are at high risk of developing PPU.
- PPU is associated with psychiatric and clinical comorbidities, frequency of use, and craving.
- Research is needed to better estimate rates of PPU and develop treatment specific for veterans.
Abstract
Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) is the most common problem behavior among individuals with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). Previous research suggests US veterans are at a greater risk of engaging in PPU. The present study sought to investigate further PPU among male military veterans. Data from 172 male veterans who endorsed ever watching pornography and completed the Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS) were included in the study. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including demographic information, psychiatric co-morbidities, impulsivity, as measured by the UPPS-P, pornography-related behaviors, and pornography craving as measured by Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ). Younger age and lower educational attainment were associated with higher PPUS scores. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and impulsivity were positively associated with higher PPUS scores. There was no statistically significant association between PPU with suicidal ideation or alcohol use disorder. In the multivariable hierarchical regression, depression, frequency of use, and higher PCQ scores were associated with higher PPUS scores, although on the latter two remained significant in the final model. Understanding the risk factors via more frequent screening for PPU will help with the development of treatment protocols for this problematic behavior.
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