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Varod S, Stern A, Bőthe B, Gewirtz-Meydan A. Who Finds Pornography Stressful? A Latent Profile Analysis. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:3393-3404. [PMID: 38992202 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02927-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the connection between pornography use, sexual functioning, and mental health using latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct profiles among pornography users and assess variations in mental health, including anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation. The aim of this study was to identify profiles among pornography users, specifically distinguishing those with sexual distress and sexual function problems, characterize these profiles, and assess variations in mental health. Data were collected from 463 participants through an anonymous online survey. Three distinct pornography user profiles were identified based on their consumption and sexual problems: high-frequency problematic pornography use (PPU, which is defined as uncontrollable patterns of pornography use resulting in adverse consequences and significant distress) with sexual problems, high-frequency non-PPU without/with low sexual problems, and no/low-frequency non-PPU without sexual problems. Differences among the profiles emerged in anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as emotion regulation capabilities. The high-frequency PPU with sexual problems group exhibited lower emotion regulation capabilities, while the no/low-frequency non-PPU without sexual problems group reported significantly lower depressive symptoms. This study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of pornography use, revealing that certain patterns may be more problematic. The findings highlight the interplay between emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, problematic pornography use, and sexual problems and distress. Recognizing these distinct profiles is crucial for understanding the relationship between pornography use and sexual and mental well-being, ultimately contributing to more targeted interventions and improved outcomes for all populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Varod
- School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Adi Stern
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Beáta Bőthe
- Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
- School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel. Agewirtz-@univ.haifa.ac.il
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN, Granero R, Uríszar JC, Tarragón E, Chiclana Actis C, Testa G, Fernández-Aranda F, Jiménez-Murcia S. Understanding the Co-occurrence of Gambling Disorder and Problematic Pornography Use: Exploring Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:1295-1314. [PMID: 38151657 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The co-occurrence between gambling disorder (GD) and problematic pornography use (PPU) has not yet been explored. Therefore, the present study compared (a) sociodemographic variables, (b) GD-related factors, (c) substance use, (d) psychopathology, (e) personality features, (f) impulsivity, and (g) emotion regulation between individuals with GD (GD group) and those with co-occurring GD and PPU (GD+PPU group). The sample consisted of 359 treatment-seeking individuals with GD: n = 332 individuals had GD only (GD group) and n = 37 individuals had GD and co-occurring PPU (GD+PPU group). GD severity, impulsivity, psychopathology, personality, emotion regulation, and other sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed. No between-group differences in sociodemographic measures were observed. The GD+PPU group demonstrated greater GD severity and a higher likelihood of substance use compared to those without PPU. Furthermore, the presence of PPU was associated with worse psychopathology, higher impulsivity (except for lack of premeditation and positive urgency), more difficulties in emotion regulation (except for non-acceptance of emotions and limited access to emotions), and a personality profile characterized by lower levels of self-directedness and cooperativeness. The co-occurrence of GD and PPU seems associated with a more dysfunctional clinical profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
- Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Roser Granero
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Uríszar
- Clinical Psychology Unit, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Sub-Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling, Directorate General for Taxation and Gambling, Secretariat of Finance, Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Chiclana Actis
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
- Unidad de Sexología Clínica y Salud Sexual, Consulta Dr. Carlos Chiclana, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giulia Testa
- Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Fernando Fernández-Aranda
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
- Psychoneurobiology of Eating and Addictive Behaviors Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL and CIBERObn, c/Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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Qu S, Li R, Wang J. Increased sensitivity for negative emotional images in individuals with problematic pornography use. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1287455. [PMID: 38605833 PMCID: PMC11007122 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1287455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the frequent comorbidity of affective and addictive disorders, the significance of affective dysregulation in problematic pornography use (PPU) is commonly disregarded. The objective of this study is to investigate whether individuals with PPU demonstrate increased sensitivity to negative emotional stimuli in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). Methods Electrophysiological responses were captured via event-related potentials (ERPs) from 27 individuals with PPU and 29 HCs. They completed an oddball task involving the presentation of deviant stimuli in the form of highly negative (HN), moderately negative (MN), and neutral images, with a standard stimulus being a neutral kettle image. To evaluate participants' subjective feelings of valence and arousal, the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) was employed. Results Regarding subjective evaluations, individuals with PPU indicated diminished valence ratings for HN images as opposed to HCs. Concerning electrophysiological assessments, those with PPU manifested elevated N2 amplitudes in response to both HN and MN images when contrasted against neutral images. Additionally, PPU participants displayed an intensified P3 response to HN images in contrast to MN images, a distinction not evident within the HCs. Discussion These outcomes suggest that individuals with PPU exhibited heightened reactivity toward negative stimuli. This increased sensitivity to negative cues could potentially play a role in the propensity of PPU individuals to resort to pornography as a coping mechanism for managing stress regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyi Qu
- School of Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruiyu Li
- School of Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- School of Psychology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Applied Psychology Research Center, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Rahm-Knigge RL, Gleason N, Mark K, Coleman E. Identifying Relationships Between Difficulties with Emotion Regulation and Compulsive Sexual Behavior. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:3443-3455. [PMID: 37670204 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02690-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Emotion dysregulation is an associated feature of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), now recognized by the World Health Organization. Previous studies have identified associations between trait emotion dysregulation and CSBD. Given that difficulties with emotion regulation (DERS) is comprised of several facets (e.g., difficulty with impulse control and lacking awareness of one's feelings when upset), and that these facets differentially relate to other mental health concerns, the present study aimed to examine how DERS facets relate to compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). The present study also considered interpersonal emotion regulation via attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety. Hierarchical regression was conducted, first accounting for demographic covariates, then adding attachment styles, and finally all DERS subscales. Results indicated that, among a large, diverse, online U.S. sample (N = 915; Mage = 39.21, SD = 0.81; 54.3% men), difficulty controlling impulses when upset, difficulty with clarity of emotions, and non-acceptance of emotions were significantly positively associated with CSB (small to moderate effects). Attachment anxiety and avoidance were also significantly positively associated with CSB, although their effects were minimal when adding DERS facets. Overall, this study supports the theorized impact of emotion dysregulation on CSB. Assessment of individual differences in DERS and intervening on these concerns are important for treating CSB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Rahm-Knigge
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA.
| | - Neil Gleason
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kristen Mark
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
| | - Eli Coleman
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA
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Cardoso J, Ramos C, Brito J, Almeida TC. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Problematic Pornography Use: The Mediating Role of Loneliness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:481-493. [PMID: 38601731 PMCID: PMC10903672 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2224807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Objectives To analyze the association between difficulties in emotion regulation and problematic pornography use (PPU) and test the mediating effect of loneliness. Methods All 339 participants (M = 28.53 years, SD = 10.32) completed online self-report scales assessing difficulties in emotion regulation, PPU, and loneliness. Results Difficulties in emotion regulation are positively correlated with PPU. Loneliness partially mediates the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and PPU. Gender and intimate relationship status had moderating effects on the tested mediation model. Conclusions Greater difficulties in emotion regulation have a significant indirect effect on PPU through loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cardoso
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM); Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511Caparica, Almada, Portugal
- LabPSI – Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, Portugal
| | - Catarina Ramos
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM); Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511Caparica, Almada, Portugal
- LabPSI – Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, Portugal
| | - José Brito
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM); Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511Caparica, Almada, Portugal
| | - Telma C. Almeida
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM); Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, 2829-511Caparica, Almada, Portugal
- LabPSI – Laboratório de Psicologia Egas Moniz, Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Caparica, Almada, Portugal
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Russo A, Santoro G, Schimmenti A. Interpersonal Guilt and Problematic Online Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2022; 19:236-247. [PMID: 36101646 PMCID: PMC9442854 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20220406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The positive association between problematic Internet use (PIU) and emotion dysregulation (ED) is well documented. Research has also found that interpersonal guilt is positively associated with ED. Nevertheless, the influence of interpersonal guilt on PIU has been scarcely examined. In the current study, we investigated the relationships among the three constructs, and tested if emotion dysregulation mediates the association between interpersonal guilt and different types of PIU, namely problematic online gaming, problematic social media use, and problematic online pornography use. METHOD A sample of 434 adult participants (210 males, 48.4%) aged between 18 and 69 years old completed self-reported measures on interpersonal guilt, ED, and PIU. A structural equation modeling (SEM) framework was used to test the mediation models. RESULTS SEM analyses showed that ED mediates the relationship between interpersonal guilt as antecedent, and problematic online gaming, problematic social media use, and problematic online pornography use as outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that emotion dysregulation deriving from experiences of interpersonal guilt can amplify the risk of using gaming, social media, and online pornography in a problematic way. Implications for prevention and treatment of PIU are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Russo
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy,Corresponding author Dr. Angela Russo, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Santoro
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, UKE – Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Adriano Schimmenti
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, UKE – Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
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