Investigating the Role of Psychosocial and Values-Based Factors in Problematic Pornography Use

There are significant challenges in identifying and diagnosing problematic pornography use (PPU), as pornography-related difficulties can stem from behavioral dysregulation and/or moral convictions regarding pornography use. Previous research has shown that personal and/or moral values, notably religiosity, play an important role in shaping pornography-related experiences and outcomes, though broader spirituality remains unexplored. The aims of this study were to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of PPU by exploring its behavioral, psychological, and moral characteristics, and (2) test spirituality as a potential value system involved in PPU. A total of 121 participants from the general population completed an online survey (M_age = 27.3 years, SD = 5.05; 53.7% male), measuring PPU, pornography-use patterns, psychological health and well-being, moral disapproval of pornography, and spirituality. The findings of the regression analysis revealed that male gender, weekly pornography use, psychological distress, and expressive suppression emotion regulation significantly predicted PPU, explaining 38.2% of its variability. However, spirituality, self-esteem, and age had no significant relationship with PPU. This suggests that a complex interplay of behavioral, psychological, and moral characteristics can inform experiences of PPU, but spirituality did not play a role. These findings provide initial evidence that, unlike religion, spiritual values are not incongruent with pornography use, implying an important distinction between spiritual and religious frameworks.