Problematic Pornography Use and Clinical and Psychosocial Correlates Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans: an Exploratory...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Veterans Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Problematic pornography use (PPU) is a growing concern, particularly within veteran populations.
• PPU often co-occurs with psychiatric conditions and trauma histories in veterans.
• Understanding PPU prevalence and its correlates in low-income veterans is essential for targeted support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of PPU symptomatology and criteria in a sample of low-income U.S. military veterans.
• To identify sociodemographic, psychiatric, functional, and homelessness-related correlates of PPU in this population.
• To highlight the need for PPU screening and interventions among veterans.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 292 low-income veterans in the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study.
• Utilized the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS) to assess PPU.
• Employed chi-square tests, ANOVAs, and logistic regression for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• 25.5% of veterans reported PPU symptomatology (BPS score ≥ 1), with 11.8% meeting PPU criteria (BPS score ≥ 4).
• PPU was associated with younger age, male gender, Hispanic ethnicity, and VA service-connected disability.
• PPU correlated with psychiatric disorders, self-directed violence, homelessness, loneliness, impulsivity, low resilience, and less successful aging.

Conclusions:

• PPU is prevalent in low-income veterans and linked to numerous negative health and psychosocial factors.
• Findings underscore the necessity of PPU screening and tailored interventions for veterans.
• Further research is warranted to address PPU's impact on veteran well-being.