The Role of Gender, Experiential Avoidance, and Scrupulosity in Problematic Pornography Viewing: A Moderated-Mediation Model*

Abstract

Prior studies on problematic pornography viewing (PPV) have identified religiosity and experiential avoidance as correlates. Scrupulosity has been theorized as a factor within religiosity that may be associated with PPV. The present study tested a moderated-mediation model using structural equation modeling in a sample (n = 727) of pornography viewers. Experiential avoidance and scrupulosity were found to be positive correlates of PPV. Indirect effects suggested experiential avoidance was a positive mediator between scrupulosity and PPV. Moderation analyses indicated these relationships only held for men. The present findings support the use of acceptance-based interventions for individuals struggling with PPV.

Acknowledgments

We thank two additional members of the Culture and Individual Differences (CID) research team within the undergraduate psychology program at the University of South Alabama for their help collecting data: Davidson Meador and Katelyn Baker.