Religion, morals, and pornography: risk or resource? A U.S. census-matched study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Religious Studies

Background:

• Problematic pornography use (PPU) affects a subset of users.
• Previous research often excluded pornography abstainers, potentially biasing findings on religion and morality.
• The role of religious identification and moral disapproval in PPU and well-being requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine religious identification and moral disapproval of pornography as risk factors for PPU or resources for well-being.
• To include pornography abstainers in analyses to avoid potential bias.
• To assess associations with sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and suicidality.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a census-matched sample of U.S. adults (n=2,806).
• Utilized correlations, group comparisons, and hierarchical regressions.
• Examined associations between religious identification, moral disapproval of pornography, PPU, pornography frequency, life satisfaction, and suicidality.

Main Results:

• Moral disapproval and Judeo-Christian religious identification were unassociated with PPU when abstainers were included.
• These factors were linked to higher sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and lower suicidality.
• Problematic pornography use and higher pornography frequency were associated with lower satisfaction and increased suicidality.

Conclusions:

• Including pornography abstainers reframes the role of religion and morality in pornography research.
• Religion and moral disapproval may act as protective resources for well-being and mental health.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations.