A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Addictive Behaviors Reports examined 111 samples and found that problematic pornography use is associated with stronger cravings, sexual shame, depression, loneliness, emotion dysregulation, and moral disapproval of pornography. The strength of these associations varied across studies, likely influenced by differing measurement methods.
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Pornography is widely accessible online, and while many individuals use it without issues, some encounter difficulties that interfere with their relationships, work, or emotional well-being. Problematic pornography use is defined not by frequency of viewing, but by feelings of compulsion or significant distress related to its use.
Researchers have identified various factors contributing to problematic pornography use, such as impulsivity, loneliness, stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. Sexual factors, including high sexual desire and dissatisfaction, may also play a role. Additionally, moral or religious conflicts surrounding pornography use can heighten feelings of guilt and distress.
The researchers, led by Sonay Sheikhi from Kharazmi University in Tehran, analyzed over 38,000 records across multiple databases, narrowing it down to 97 studies that included 121,728 participants. Roughly 46% of participants were women, with an average age of 27.5 years.
The analysis revealed that craving and sexual shame had average correlations of 0.54 with problematic pornography use. Other associations included depression (0.32), emotion dysregulation (0.29), moral disapproval (0.27), and loneliness (0.23). The weakest associations were linked to extraversion and family environment, which were near zero.
Patterns varied widely, with some studies showing different strengths of association depending on whether they used dysregulation-oriented measures, which focus on control issues, or distress-oriented measures, emphasizing emotional distress. The research indicates that problematic pornography use cannot be defined by a single construct but rather reflects a broad range of psychological variables.
The authors concluded that while their findings illuminate the psychological characteristics linked to problematic pornography use, the predominance of cross-sectional studies limits conclusions about causality. They also noted that many questionnaires blend aspects of loss of control and distress, suggesting a need for refinement in measurement approaches.
This study was authored by Sonay Sheikhi, Shahram Mohammadkhani, and Mehdi Akbari.