The Consumption of Pornography Scale – General (COPS – G)

Abstract

Pornography is widely used, distributed, and researched. Nevertheless, few psychometric scales have yet to be developed that assesses this complex construct without pathologizing the behavior or labeling the behavior as problematic. The current study sought to develop a 34-item, purely behavioral and topographic measure of pornography consumption without assigning value to the behavior. In the current study (N = 317), we examine the overarching factor structure and provide initial evidence for the scale’s psychometric characteristics. In line with our hypotheses, we found a bifactor model with one general factor and four subfactors fit the data best; the scale was reliable, and scores were stable over time. Further, the current study provides initial evidence for the scale’s convergent validity in its relation to sexual sensation seeking, excessive pornography use, and gender as well as evidence for divergent validity by possessing small correlations with depressive symptoms and sexual satisfaction. Finally, the current study also provides initial evidence for the scale’s incremental validity and discusses limitations and ideas for future research.

Keywords:

• Pornography
• pornography consumption
• measurement
• psychometrics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding 

This work was supported by an ORCA grant awarded to S. Gabe Hatch (grant number 5542).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. Gabe Hatch

S. Gabe Hatch is currently a Clinical Psychology graduate student at the University of Miami. His program of research lies at the intersection of improving relationship well-being using technology, improving sexual functioning, and applied quantitative methods.

Charlotte R. Esplin

Charlotte R. Esplin is a graduate student in Brigham Young University's Clinical Psychology PhD program. Her research interests are focused on measurement, personality, and successful marital functioning.

H. Dorian Hatch

H. Dorian Hatch is currently an undergraduate at Brigham Young University. He has interest in psychopathology, psychopathy, and externalizing behaviors. He is also interested in the measurement of psychopathology generally, and more specifically in the measurement and implications of Cluster B disorders.

Aeriel Halstead

Aeriel Halstead is currently a graduate student at Brigham Young University. Her broad research interests include the nature and prevention of intimate partner violence and methods for increasing treatment accessibility for marginalized groups.

Joseph Olsen

Joseph A. Olsen is Assistant Dean and Director of the Research Support Center in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences at Brigham Young University. He teaches courses and does research in advanced statistical methods for social and behavioral sciences.

Scott R. Braithwaite

Scott R. Braithwaite is currently an Associate Professor in the Clinical Psychology Department at Brigham Young University and the developer of ePREP. Scott's research interests involve the dissemination of computerized and web-based relationship education and how to promote relationship well-being.