Predicting readiness to change among pornography consumers

Abstract

Objective

We explored factors that predict readiness to change among consumers of pornography.

Method

We obtained a cross-sectional survey sample concerning problematic pornography use (N = 892; 59% female; 87% White; mean age = 40). The Change Questionnaire was appropriate for this population and produced two internally consistent factors – confidence to change and importance of change.

Results

Using a bootstrapping methodology, a combination of variables (demographic, spiritual/religious, psychological symptoms, past reduction efforts, and addiction symptoms) predicted desire to reduce pornography use among participants. Among those desiring to reduce their pornography use, well-being (lower symptoms of psychological distress), religiosity, and relationship variables predicted both confidence to change and importance of changing while perception of addiction predicted importance to change.

Conclusions

Findings may be used to help develop models of desire to and readiness to change along with motivational interviewing-based interventions for individuals wishing to reduce their pornography consumption. Clients who are more motivated or ready to change are more likely to engage, persist, and improve in treatment for addictions.

LAY SUMMARY

This study found that among consumers of pornography, many individuals report an interest in changing (i.e., reducing) their consumption. Specific factors that showed readiness for change in pornography consumption, include a personal sense of well-being, religiosity, a current romantic relationship, and the perception of pornography use as an addiction.

Keywords:

• stages of change
• addiction
• sexual behavior
• pornography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author note

Materials and analysis code for this study are available by emailing the corresponding author.

Notes

1 Although Sakaluk and Short (2017) recommend an oblique rotation, we used and reported an orthogonal rotation because it replicates the Miller and Johnson (2008) study, the factors make conceptual sense, the subscales created from the factors have high internal consistency (alphas > .90), and the oblique rotation findings were very similar.

2 Tables including all 36 variables for each of the three bootstrap analyses are included in an appendix.