Pornography consumption among adolescent girls in Sweden

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were to describe patterns of pornography consumption, investigate differences between consumers and non-consumers of pornography regarding sexual experiences, health and lifestyle and determine associations between pornography consumption and sexual experiences, health and lifestyle among adolescent girls. The hypotheses were that adolescent girls categorised as pornography consumers would report sexual experiences to a greater extent, and a riskier lifestyle and poorer health, compared with non-consumers.

Methods: A classroom survey was conducted among 16-year-old girls (N = 393).

Results: One-third (30%) consumed pornography. In this group, almost half (43%) had fantasies about trying to copy sexual acts seen in pornography and 39% had tried to copy sexual activities seen in pornography. A higher proportion of pornography-consuming girls reported sexual experiences compared with peers. A third (30%) reported experience of anal sex compared with 15% among non-consuming peers (p = 0.001). Furthermore, peer-relationship problems (17% vs 9%; p = 0.015), use of alcohol (85% vs 69%; p = 0.001) and daily smoking (27% vs 14%; p = 0.002) were reported to a greater extent than in non-consuming peers. Pornography consumption, use of alcohol and daily smoking were associated with experience of casual sex.

Conclusions: Pornography-consuming girls reported sexual experiences and a risky lifestyle to a greater extent compared with non-consuming girls. This indicates that pornography consumption may influence sexualisation and lifestyle. This is important to acknowledge when designing and implementing sexual health programmes for adolescents.

Chinese abstract

目的：本研究的目的是描述色情作品购买的模式, 调查购买色情作品者和不购买色情作品者在性经验、健康和生活方式方面的不同, 并确定青春期少女色情消费、性经验、健康和生活方式间的关系。假设购买色情作品的青春期少女, 较不购买色情作品者的青春期少女性将被更大程度地报告性经验, 生活方式较危险, 健康状况较差。

方法: 对16岁的女孩进行课堂调查（N = 393）。

结果：有三分之一（30%）的女孩会购买色情作品。在这个群体中, 大约有一半（43%）的女孩曾试图模仿在色情作品中看到的性行为, 有39%的女孩曾试图模仿在色情作品中看到的性活动。据报道, 与同龄女孩相比, 购买色情作品的女孩有性体验的比例更大。购买色情作品的女孩有三分之一（30%）体验过肛交,与此相比, 不购买色情作品的同龄女孩体验过肛交的比例是15%（P = 0.001）。此外, 还报道, 与不购买色情作品的女孩相比, 购买色情作品的女孩更大程度上会出现同伴关系问题（17% vs 9%；p = 0.015）、饮酒（85% vs 69%；p = 0.001）和每日吸烟（27% vs 14%；p = 0.002）。购买色情作品、饮酒和每日吸烟与随意性行为经历有关。

总结：与不购买色情作品的女孩相比, 购买色情作品的女孩性经验更丰富, 生活方式更危险。这表明购买色情作品可能会影响性和生活方式。在设计和实施青少年性健康项目时, 承认这一点很重要。

Keywords:

• Adolescent girls
• health
• lifestyle
• pornography
• sexuality

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding information

This study was funded by The European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health, Uppsala-Örebro Regional Research Council and Uppsala University.