Porn: The Widespread Taboo
Pornography is the most available it has ever been due to online accessibility. Consequently, the more views that pornography accumulates, the increasing amount of societal and psychological consequences people face. This includes, but is not limited to: stereotyping of gender and racial fetishes, sexual violence and misconduct, sex misinformation, content addiction, and sex worker stigmas. Solano et al. (2020) found that among a sample of 1,392 adults in the U.S. (ages 18 to 73), 91.5% of men and 60.2% of women reported that they had engaged in some type of pornography within the past month.[1] Exposure to sexual content seems to be a frequent and inevitable component of being connected to the internet. However, a wave of sexual health research indicates its usage is not inherently negative. Discussions surrounding the psychological impacts of pornography provide insights into how porn can be distributed in healthy ways while also reducing negative consequences. Understanding this research is pivotal in approaching mental health and its relationship with pornography in an exponentially growing online world.
Understanding Pornography
Pornography exists in a variety of forms ranging from written, still imagery, video and auditory content. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines pornography as the depiction of erotica for sexual enhancement or excitement.[2] Free online platforms invite higher usage of video content than other forms of porn.[3] Additionally, Solano et al. (2020) found that women are more likely to consume written porn than men.[4] Reasons for pornography usage were researched by Burtăverde et al. (2021), who found that many people seek content for short-term sexual enjoyment and masturbation.[5] Likely due to its increased availability, pornography viewership is also beginning at younger ages; among responses from university students, Biota et al. (2022) found that porn usage began at an average age of 10.4 years, with those partaking primarily out of curiosity.[6] Further, as many students from this study reported feeling that their sex education has been inadequate, this perceived lack of education has likely led to their increased search for sexual information online, through porn.[7]
Opinions about users of porn, as well as actors, vary by culture and social norms. Societal attitudes about the motivations behind pornographers were studied by Evans-DeCicco & Cowan (2001) in which male performers were perceived as having more positive motivations for partaking in porn production (such as enjoying their work and being at the top of their profession) as opposed to female performers.[8] Female performers were more often than men perceived/stereotyped to come from dysfunctional families, have a lack of employment opportunities and be coerced into the work.[9] Additionally, Perry & Whitehead (2022) point out that in the U.S., the desire for anti-pornography legislation is predicted by Christain nationalism and strict values of sexual order.[10]
The Neuroscience of Pornography & Addiction
Pornography addiction is not considered a DSM-5 categorized disorder, however, concern exists about the adverse effects of over-watching porn. For instance, Egan & Parmar (2013) note that online porn usage can be reflective of compulsive tendencies in men.[11] Market et al. (2021) also found that for men with higher sexual motivation, attention to pornographic pictures was enhanced but that there were also no connections made with symptoms of cybersex addiction.[12] A study done by Wang et al. (2022) likewise found that people with problematic internet pornography use display higher attention and brain responses to new sexual stimuli, maintaining a cycle of problematic porn consumption when they are presented with more porn.[13] Further, Biota et al. (2022) found that the self-perceived negative effects of pornography use were mainly decreased sexual satisfaction and the need for more stimuli and longer stimulation, suggesting possible reasons for cyclical tendencies.[14]
Behavioral addictions in the brain impair reward systems through the frontal lobes via hyprofrontal syndromes (i.e., cerebral dysfunctions of addiction) leading to compulsivity and flawed judgment;[15] substance abuse, internet gaming disorder, compulsive eating and trauma may change the brain in the same way.[16] More research is warranted for problematic hypersexual tendencies and pornography use, as its general consumption may be completely healthy, while its over-usage may be indicative of compulsive tendencies.
Psychological Effects of Pornography
The sheer variety of porn produced has resulted in a range of negative and positive psychological effects on viewers, reflected in several conflicting pieces of evidence in the research. Since 2016, 17 states have introduced nonbinding resolutions declaring pornography a public health crisis, with concerns ranging from infidelity, addiction and sex trafficking.[17] Conversely, Nelson & Rothman (2020) report that porn, itself, does not meet the criteria for a public health crisis and that it has also been found to increase feelings of acceptance and health-promoting behaviors such as increased intimacy, communication and safer sexual practice.[18]
However, other researchers have found negative psychological and behavioral associations with pornography. In examining the link between porn and body image, Gewirtz-Meydan & Spivak-Lavi (2023) found that increased porn usage related to more body comparisons being made as well as an increase in eating disorder symptoms in men.[19] Additionally, Rostad et al. found that porn exposure is associated with teen dating violence and aggression (with a higher effect in boys than girls),[20] and Kohut, & Štulhofer (2018) note that porn use is associated with low adult quality of life.[21]
These associations, however, do not imply a causal relationship with porn. Such consideration may be informative of the demographics of porn users, as porn may be used to improve or satisfy already-impaired psychological states.[22] Kohut, & Štulhofer add that controlling for external factors in an individual’s life (such as family environment and impulsiveness) may help us understand what porn actually does to our mental health.[23] While Mollaioli et al. (2021) found that more sexual activity is generally related to better mental health with lower participant depression and anxiety scores,[24] one must be aware that viewing certain portrayals in porn (e.g., flawless body image, condomless sex and violent fetishization), as well as a user’s dispositions may actually result in adverse effects.
Relationship Function & Dysfunction
Kohut et al., (2021) investigated the notion that pornography use leads to poor relationship quality and satisfaction and found that differences in partner sex drive is what actually accounts for discrepancies in relationship quality.[25] Differences in sex drive can lead to differences in porn usage among partners, which leads to varied perceptions of the relationship and each person’s sexual satisfaction.[26] Further, when respondents were generally less accepting of porn, more porn usage led to lower perceived relationship satisfaction - but when men were more accepting of porn, they indicated higher relationship satisfaction.[27] These findings provide insight into the effects of the meaning that one places on using pornography, and how the stigmatization of its usage infiltrates itself into relationships.
Addressing The Issues
While the topic of sex and pornography is incredibly taboo in most cultures, increased dialogue surrounding the effects of pornography is important to promote mental health and safe porn use. Porn that portrays harmful aspects of society like nonconsent (i.e., assault) is damaging, such as instances where porn is leaked or promoted without the consent of the people involved.[28] Gius (2022) notes these leaks are societally perceived as extremely negative due to sexism and gender inequality, leading to social pressure on the assaulted/exposed individuals and even suicide.[29]
Hilton & Watts (2011) add that some people argue for all porn usage to be viewed from a public health lens due to factors ranging from stigmatization of sex to addiction research.[30] Others believe that explicit sexual content is inevitable and that while compulsive use can be targeted with treatment, outlawing porn will not alter its use. Reducing life-impairing over-usage of pornography may be achieved through psychotherapeutic methods and Camilleri et al. (2021) found that morals, faith, and individual motivation were the most effective factors in reducing porn use.[31] Historically, since anti-sex views have not taken away sex from people, approaching porn in an open and informed way may help younger generations form healthy practices.
For adolescents, sex education regarding healthy, consensual sex may help to reduce the harmful effects of mainstream porn content. Consuming online porn is among the many factors for intimate partner violence among young people.[32] Pathmedra et al. (2023) note that adolescent exposure to sexual content has a large role in establishing healthy sexual and romantic relationships - but acknowledge that it also has a role in establishing unhealthy relationships.[33] A conscientious approach to the way that porn is produced would be beneficial regarding the stereotypes and values it projects to its audiences.[34]
Overall, pornography usage is self-perceived as positive among both adolescents[35] and adults.[36] Additionally, an increased amount of people are participating in generating pornography through online platforms (such as OnlyFans), where they can personally capitalize off of content creation more lucratively than many professional productions and mainstream career paths. Further, Toder & Barak-Brandes (2022) examined homosexual WhatsApp exchanges for profit and discussed how it grants users sexual freedom, escaping from paths of porn careers that promote unethical sex.[37]
Sexual openness and literacy may help to reduce the negative effects of pornography. Biota et al. (2022) stress that since people tend to consume porn at early ages, sex education needs to be tailored so that people can have a normalized understanding of porn and what is healthy.[38] Further, this education may aid in helping people identify what is unethical and ethical in portrayals of sex so that rape culture and violence are not perpetuated by porn. Regarding problematic or compulsive porn usage, Testa et al. (2023) note that promoting media literacy is an effective strategy to use in order to develop greater critical thinking skills, reduce the shame associated with porn, recognize unrealistic productions of sex and interpret the meaning behind what is being viewed, thereby creating healthier choices. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapies are evidence-based modalities that can help with compulsive porn usage.[39] Many different factors combine to create the negative mental health and societal effects of porn, and these may be generally addressed through open and updated sex perspectives, in addition to conscientiousness surrounding porn production and distribution.
If one is experiencing problematic pornography consumption that impairs well-being, relationships and/or daily life, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional (e.g., a psychotherapist, psychologist or psychiatrist) for guidance and support.
Contributed by: Phoebe Elliott
Editor: Jennifer (Ghahari) Smith, Ph.D.
References
1 Solano, I., Eaton, N. R., & O'Leary, K. D. (2020). Pornography Consumption, Modality and Function in a Large Internet Sample. Journal of sex research, 57(1), 92–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1532488
2 Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Pornography. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved July 3, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pornography
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Burtăverde, V., Jonason, P. K., Giosan, C., & Ene, C. (2021). Why Do People Watch Porn? An Evolutionary Perspective on the Reasons for Pornography Consumption. Evolutionary Psychology, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049211028798
6 Biota, I., Dosil-Santamaria, M., Mondragon, N.I., Ozamiz-Etxebarria, N. (2022). Analyzing University Students' Perceptions Regarding Mainstream Pornography and Its Link to SDG5. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Jun 30;19(13):8055. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19138055. PMID: 35805712; PMCID: PMC9265877.
7 Ibid.
8 Evans-DeCicco, Jennee & Cowan, Gloria. (2001). Attitudes Toward Pornography and the Characteristics Attributed to Pornography Actors. Sex Roles. 44. 351-361. 10.1023/A:1010985817751.
9 Ibid.
10 Perry, S. L., & Whitehead, A. L. (2022). Porn as a threat to the mythic social order: Christian nationalism, anti-pornography legislation, and fear of pornography as a public menace. Sociological Quarterly, 63(2), 316-336. doi:10.1080/00380253.2020.1822220
11 Egan, V., & Parmar, R. (2013). Dirty habits? Online pornography use, personality, obsessionality, and compulsivity. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 39(5), 394–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2012.710182
12 Markert, C., Baranowski, A. M., Koch, S., Stark, R., & Strahler, J. (2021). The impact of negative mood on event-related potentials when viewing pornographic pictures. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.673023
13 Wang, J., Chen, Y., & Zhang, H. (2022). Electrophysiological evidence of enhanced processing of novel pornographic images in individuals with tendencies toward problematic internet pornography use. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16 doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.897536
14 Biota et al. (2022)
15 Hilton DL, Watts C. Pornography addiction: A neuroscience perspective. Surg Neurol Int. 2011 Feb 21;2:19. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.76977. PMID: 21427788; PMCID: PMC3050060.
16 Ibid.
17 Nelson, K. M., & Rothman, E. F. (2020). Should Public Health Professionals Consider Pornography a Public Health Crisis?. American journal of public health, 110(2), 151–153. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305498
18 Ibid.
19 Gewirtz-Meydan, A., & Spivak-Lavi, Z. (2023). The association between problematic pornography use and eating disorder symptoms among heterosexual and sexual minority men. Body Image, 45, 284-295. doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.03.008
20 Rostad et al. (2019)
21 Kohut, T., & Štulhofer, A. (2018). Is pornography use a risk for adolescent well-being? An examination of temporal relationships in two independent panel samples. PloS one, 13(8), e0202048. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202048
22 Ibid.
23 Ibid.
24 Mollaioli, D., Sansone, A., Ciocca, G., Limoncin, E., Colonnello, E., Di Lorenzo, G., & Jannini, E. A. (2021). Benefits of Sexual Activity on Psychological, Relational, and Sexual Health During the COVID-19 Breakout. The journal of sexual medicine, 18(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.008
25 Kohut, T., Dobson, K. A., Balzarini, R. N., Rogge, R. D., Shaw, A. M., McNulty, J. K., Russell, V. M., Fisher, W. A., & Campbell, L. (2021). But What's Your Partner Up to? Associations Between Relationship Quality and Pornography Use Depend on Contextual Patterns of Use Within the Couple. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 661347. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.661347
26 Ibid.
27 Maas, M. K., Vasilenko, S. A., & Willoughby, B. J. (2018). A Dyadic Approach to Pornography Use and Relationship Satisfaction Among Heterosexual Couples: The Role of Pornography Acceptance and Anxious Attachment. Journal of sex research, 55(6), 772–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1440281
28 Gius, C. (2022). Addressing the blurred question of ‘responsibility’: Insights from online news comments on a case of nonconsensual pornography. Journal of Gender Studies, 31(2), 193-203. doi:10.1080/09589236.2021.1892610
29 Ibid.
30 Hilton & Watts (2011)
31 Camilleri, C., Perry, J. T., & Sammut, S. (2021). Compulsive Internet Pornography Use and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students in the United States. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 613244. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.613244
32 Barter, C., Lanau, A., Stanley, N., Aghtaie, N., & Överlien, C. (2022). Factors associated with the perpetration of interpersonal violence and abuse in young people’s intimate relationships. Journal of Youth Studies, 25(5), 547-563. doi:10.1080/13676261.2021.1910223
33 Pathmendra, P., Raggatt, M., Lim, M. S. C., Marino, J. L., & Skinner, S. R. (2023). Exposure to pornography and adolescent sexual behavior: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25 doi:10.2196/43116
34 Ibid.
35 Dwulit, A. D., & Rzymski, P. (2019). Prevalence, Patterns and Self-Perceived Effects of Pornography Consumption in Polish University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(10), 1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101861
36 Hald, G.M., Malamuth, N.M. Self-Perceived Effects of Pornography Consumption. Arch Sex Behav 37, 614–625 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9212-1
37 Toder, N., & Barak-Brandes, S. (2022). A booty of booties: Men accumulating capital by homosocial porn exchange on WhatsApp. Porn Studies, 9(2), 145-158. doi:10.1080/23268743.2021.1947880
38 Biota et al. (2022)
39 Testa, G., Mestre-Bach, G., Chiclana Actis, C., & Potenza, M. N. (2023). Problematic pornography use in adolescents: From prevention to intervention. Current Addiction Reports, 10(2), 210-218. doi:10.1007/s40429-023-00469-4