A lack of association between online pornography exposure, sexual functioning, and mental well-being

Abstract

To inform debate around potential influences of online pornography, we applied a contemporary media-effects model to examine the relationship between online sexually explicit material (oSEM) exposure and several psychosocial outcomes – including sexual satisfaction, body satisfaction, sexist attitudes, and mental well-being. Perceived realism of oSEM (the extent to which it is believed to be a realistic portrayal of sexual experience) was assessed as a potential mediator of exposure-outcome relationships. Furthermore, family communication about sex and gender were investigated as potential moderators of any indirect relationships (via perceived realism). Using a convenience sample of cisgender, heterosexual adults (N = 252) and a cross-sectional questionnaire design, we found no significant direct or indirect relationships between oSEM-use and the psychosocial outcomes in question; equivalence testing demonstrated that (for all outcomes other than body satisfaction) we could reject effect sizes (rs) > ±.20. Overall, findings do not favour a negative or positive relationship between oSEM and the psychosocial outcomes under examination – oSEM appeared to have a negligible role in individuals’ current sexual functioning and mental well-being.

Keywords:

• Pornography
• sexuality
• media effects
• perceived realism
• family communication
• online

Disclosure statement

This study received no direct funding and the authors have no potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Notes

1 Informed by Cohen, (1992) we characterised the absolute magnitude of correlation coefficients as .10 = “small”, 30 = “moderate”, and .50 = “large”; with coefficients < .10 = “negligible”

2 In common with Hayes, (2018) we use any causal language loosely (to maintain consistency with the tradition of moderated-mediation modelling) whilst acknowledging that there are non-causal explanations for observed associations. Statistics are not directly informative about causation: The selection and interpretation of variables as predictor, mediator, outcome, or moderator variables is based here on theoretical and logical bases (in particular, the DSMM framework). In the absence of time precedence, our cross-sectional design does not allow us to establish mediation: Rather, we rely on theoretical accounts of directionality (as posited by the DSMM) to test and interpret observed indirect relationships in terms of consistency with a mediational account (Kline, 2015). In actuality, any observed relationship between oSEM-use and outcomes of interest (e.g., sexual satisfaction) could reflect multiple possibilities (e.g., oSEM-use influences sexual satisfaction, sexual satisfaction influence oSEM-use, bidirectional influence, a third variable influences both oSEM-use and sexual satisfaction, or a spurious correlation) and is subject to measurement artefacts.

3 oSEM-use was not correlated with being in a relationship (−.07) or sexual activity (.02), ps ≥.27

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruth Charig

Ruth Charig is a Clinical Psychologist working within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Nima G. Moghaddam

David L Dawson is a Research Clinical Psychologist based at the University of Lincoln, UK.

David L. Dawson

Nima G Moghaddam is a Research Clinical Psychologist based at the University of Lincoln, UK.

Hannah L. Merdian

Hannah L Merdian is a Principal Lecturer based at the University of Lincoln, UK.

Roshan das Nair

Roshan das Nair is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of Nottingham and Institute of Mental Health, UK.