Frequency and Duration of Use, Craving and Negative Emotions in Problematic Online Sexual Activities

Abstract

Questions remain regarding how best to define problematic online sexual activities (OSAs) and about paths that may lead to problematic use of OSAs and their consequences. Although frequency and duration of use and motivational drive, as expressed through craving, to view pornography have been implicated in problematic OSAs, their inter-relationships warrant direct examination. We propose and test a model by which pornography craving may promote more frequent engagement in OSAs and more time spent engaging in OSAs, and this may lead to problematic OSAs and subsequent negative consequences like negative emotions. Data from 1070 college students suggested that 20.63% of students were at risk of problematic OSAs use, and this group had greater frequency of OSAs, more usage time, higher pornography craving and more negative academic emotions. Our proposed path model was partially supported. Pornography craving was associated with problematic OSAs use more, so through frequency than quantity of OSAs, and OSAs were related to negative academic emotions. Future studies of problematic OSAs use should consider the complexity of relationships between craving, use of OSAs and negative health measures in college students and other groups.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest with respect to the content of this manuscript. Marc Potenza has received financial support or compensation for the following: has consulted for and advised Shire, INSYS, RiverMend Health, Opiant/Lakelight Therapeutics, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals; has received unrestricted research support from Mohegan Sun Casino and grant support (to Yale) from the National Center for Responsible Gaming and Pfizer pharmaceuticals; has participated in surveys, mailings, or telephone consultations related to drug addiction, impulse control disorders, or other health topics; has consulted for legal and gambling entities on issues related to impulse control disorders and addictions; has provided clinical care in the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services Program; has performed grant reviews for the National Institutes of Health and other agencies; has edited journals and journal sections; has given academic lectures in grand rounds, CME events, and other clinical or scientific venues; and has generated books or book chapters for publishers of mental health texts. The other authors report no disclosures.

Notes

1 China Internet Network Information Center. A survey report on the internet behavior of Chinese adolescents in 2009 years. 2010.

Additional information

Funding

Lijun Chen was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (grant number: CEA150173). Marc Potenza receives support from the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT; the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT; and, a Center of Excellence in Gambling Research Award from the National Center for Responsible Gaming. The funding agencies did not provide input or comment on the content of the manuscript, and the content of the manuscript reflects the contributions and thoughts of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agencies.