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Predictors for Acceptance of Sexual Aggression Myths Among People Using Cyberporn: Cross-Sectional Study
Farah Ben Brahim1,2, Germano Vera Cruz3, Robert Courtois2
1Addiction Medicine, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland, 41 21 692 50 1.
JMIR Formative Research
|October 16, 2025
Summary
This study reveals that compulsive cyberporn use, sexual coercion, and sexual self-esteem predict acceptance of sexual aggression myths (ASAM). These factors vary by gender, with impulsivity and moral incongruence significant for men, and age for women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cyberpsychology
- Sociology
Background:
- The acceptance of sexual aggression myths (ASAM) has been extensively researched for three decades.
- However, conclusive data linking ASAM to specific cognitive and behavioral variables remains scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of sexual coercion, compulsive cyberporn use (CCU), specific cyberporn content, moral incongruence, impulsivity, and sexual self-esteem on ASAM scores.
- To analyze these relationships among individuals who engage with cyberporn.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 1557 English-speaking cyberporn users (mean age 33.3 years; 64.2% male).
- Participants completed validated measures assessing ASAM (using the AMMSA scale), sexual coercion experiences, CCU, cyberporn arousal patterns, moral incongruence, impulsivity, and sexual self-esteem.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression.
Main Results:
- Male participants reported higher ASAM scores, sexual violence perpetration, and CCU compared to females.
- Female participants reported higher sexual violence victimization and distinct arousal patterns to certain pornographic content.
- For men, ASAM was predicted by sexual coercion, CCU, specific cyberporn content, sexual self-esteem, and moral incongruence.
- For women, ASAM was predicted by sexual coercion perpetration, CCU, specific cyberporn content, sexual self-esteem, and age, with older women showing higher ASAM acceptance.
Conclusions:
- Compulsive cyberporn use, sexual coercion, and sexual self-esteem are significant predictors of ASAM across genders.
- Impulsivity and moral incongruence were key factors for men, while age was a significant factor for women.
- Significant gender differences were observed in cyberporn arousal preferences and their association with ASAM.
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