La influencia del consumo de pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad masculina de jóvenes chilenos / The influence of pornography consumption on the construction of male sexuality in young chilean men

Este trabajo está orientado a conocerla influencia que ejerce la pornografía en la construcción de la sexualidad de hombres jóvenes consumidores de la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. De acuerdo con la literatura la pornografía es vista de forma mayoritaria por jóvenes varones que van desde los 12 años hasta su adultez. Esta situación influye en la socialización de los varones y en su concepción de la sexualidad que resulta ser problemática como consecuencia de este consumo. Para esto se realizó una investigación de carácter cualitativo en la cual se aplicaron diez entrevistas semiestructuradas a jóvenes consumidores de 21 a 26 años y a dos expertos (en educación y en sexualidad). Los resultados apuntan a la existencia una fuerte influencia de la pornografía en la sexualidad de los jóvenes. No limitada sólo a la sexualidad, sino que además a la concepción propia de la masculinidad y su rol en las relaciones afectivos-sexuales. Finalmente, los resultados evidencian que los jóvenes reflexionan sobre los elementos negativos que han debido afrontar dadas las sustanciales diferencias que tiene la ficción con la realidad en el consumo de pornografía AU

This work is oriented to know the influence that pornography exerts in the constructionof the sexuality of young male consumers in the city of Temuco, Chile. According to the literature, pornography is viewed mostly by young men ranging from 12 years to adulthood. This situation influences the socialization of men and their conception of sexuality, which turns out to be problematic as a consequence of this consumption. For this, a qualitative investigation was carried out in which ten semi-structured interviews were applied to young consumers between the ages of 21 and 26 and to two experts (in education and in sexuality). The results point to the existence of a strong influence of pornography on the sexuality of young people. Not limited only to sexuality, but also to the own conception of masculinity and its role in affective-sexual relationships. Finally, the results show that young people reflect on the negative elements that they have had to face given the substantial differences between fiction and reality in the consumption of pornography AU

Bidirectional relationship between sexual arousal and (sex-related) disgust.

Sexual stimuli provoke both sexual arousal and disgust, and the coaction between these emotions determines sexually behavioral outcomes. The current research includes two experiments to explore the bidirectional relationship between sexual arousal toward erotic stimuli and disgust induced by sexual body fluids. Study 1 presented 234 participants (117 women) with sexual body (vs. neutral) fluids followed by erotic stimuli, and Study 2 presented 235 participants (117 women) with erotic (vs. neutral) videos followed by sexual body fluids (and a non-sex-related stimulus). Study 1 showed that exposure to sexual body fluids reduced sexual arousal and the likelihood of sexual engagement toward erotic stimuli in participants with high sexual disgust sensitivity but increased sexual arousal and the likelihood of sexual engagement in participants with low sexual disgust sensitivity, while Study 2 suggested that men exposed to erotic (vs. neutral) stimuli reported lower disgust, stronger sexual arousal state, and higher willingness to interact with the sexual body fluids. There was no relationship between subjective feelings of sexual arousal and disgust in these experiments, while the balance of sexual arousal and disgust toward sexual body fluids and erotic stimuli had a positive association. Also, exposure to erotic stimuli had no effect on reactions to generally disgusting stimulus, but feelings of sexual arousal toward erotic stimuli were positively associated with disgust induced by generally disgusting fluid. These findings suggest that Behavior Immune System regulates disgust to establish a balance between benefit and cost related to sex as well as provide insight into the process underlying sexual dysfunctions.

Substitute addictions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global spread of COVID-19, subsequent stay-at-home requirements, spatial distancing measures, and long-term isolation present additional challenges for persons in recovery. Using an illustrative case from South Africa, we discuss COVID-19 related pornography use through the lens of relapse and substitute addiction. South Africa is the epicenter of the pandemic in Africa, and has issued an alcohol and cigarette ban. Historical examples suggest that responses to forced abstinence may include compliance and abstinence, but also seeking alternatives to the original addiction and substitution. Substitution of alternative activities/objects may provide similar appetitive effects to fill the void of the terminated addictive behavior, temporarily or in the long-term. While substitutes do not necessarily portend a relapse, coupled with isolation and reduced recovery support, they can potentiate relapse to the former or 'new' addictive behavior. Addiction professionals should be aware of the potential for such negative impacts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Assessment of Problematic Internet Pornography Use: A Comparison of Three Scales with Mixed Methods.

The primary aim of this study was to compare different screening tools for problematic internet pornography use (IPU) and identify the most accurate measure. The reliability and validity of three scales, namely, the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS), Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS), and Short Internet Addiction Test Adapted to Online Sexual Activities(s-IAT-sex), were examined using three homogeneous groups, respectively. A total of 972 adults (mean age = 24.8) from 28 provinces/regions in China participated in the quantitative part (QUAN). The Brief Pornography Screener served as the reference standard. The PPCS demonstrated stronger reliability and validity, including criterion validity, as well as greater sensitivity and acceptable specificity; therefore, it was considered to be the more accurate screening instrument. In the qualitative part (QUAL), we interviewed 22 volunteers and 11 therapists (who had worked with individuals with problematic IPU) to examine their perspectives on the core features of problematic IPU and dimensions of the PPCS. Almost all the interviewees endorsed the structure of the PPCS. These findings encourage the use of the PPCS in future research studies and underscore its screening applications because of its ability to classify IPU as problematic or nonproblematic.

Consumo de pornografia e relacionamento amoroso: uma revisão sistemática do período 2006-2015 / Pornography consumption and romantic relationships: a systematic review (2006-2015)

Trata-se de revisão sistemática para investigar as definições de pornografia utilizadas por pesquisadores e os efeitos do consumo desse material nos relacionamentos amorosos. Buscaram-se artigos teóricos ou empíricos, nos idiomas espanhol, inglês e português, publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, indexados nas plataformas eletrônicas Doaj, SciELO e Scopus, que contivessem, em qualquer parte do texto, os termos "pornografia" e "relacionamento". Retornaram 433 documentos que, aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, resultaram em 45 artigos. Na amostra estudada, material sexualmente explícito parece ser a definição mais aceita de pornografia. Em relação aos aspectos negativos percebidos do consumo de pornografia ao relacionamento, foram elencadas as categorias: prejuízos à saúde, prejuízos ao relacionamento, violência contra as mulheres e aspectos socioculturais. Em relação aos aspectos positivos, foram levantadas as categorias: sexualidade, desenvolvimento pessoal e benefícios ao relacionamento. Os possíveis impactos do consumo de pornografia nos relacionamentos são ainda bastante imprecisos e ambíguos.

This systematic review aims to investigate pornography definitions used by researchers and the effects of the consumption of this material in romantic relationships. We searched for theoretical or empirical papers published in Brazilian and international journals indexed in the DOAJ, SciELO and Scopus electronic platforms, which contained, in any part of the text, the terms "pornography" and "relationship" in Spanish, English or Portuguese. This search resulted in 433 documents that, after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulted in 45 papers. Within the sample, sexually explicit material seems to be the most accepted definition of pornography. Regarding the perception of negative aspects of pornography consumption on the relationship, the following categories were listed: health damage, relationship impairment, violence against women and social and cultural aspects. In relation to the positive aspects, the categories surveyed were: sexuality, personal development and benefits to the relationship. The possible impacts of pornography consumption in relationships are still quite vague and ambiguous.

The Reciprocal Relationship Between Sexual Arousal and Disgust as Evidenced in Automatic Approach-Avoidance Behavior.

Sexual encounters imply exposure to stimuli that in other contexts typically elicit disgust-induced avoidance. To explain why people nevertheless tend to show sexual approach, it has been proposed that heightened sexual arousal may temporarily inhibit disgust. In line with this, studies have found that sexually aroused individuals showed heightened willingness to approach disgusting stimuli. Because automatic processes are critically involved in sexual behaviors, we examined whether the impact of sexual arousal extends to automatic responses to disgust-elicitors. To test the proposed reciprocal relationship between sex and disgust, we also investigated whether disgust reduces automatic sexual approach. In Study 1, 116 female participants (M = age 19.53) were assigned to a sexual arousal or control condition and performed a speeded approach-avoidance task to assess automatic responses to disgusting stimuli. In Study 2, 174 female participants (M = age 22.14) were assigned to a disgust, sexual arousal, or control condition and performed an approach-avoidance task involving both sex and disgust-relevant stimuli. Sexual arousal did not affect automatic responses to disgusting stimuli, and disgust did not influence automatic responses towards sexual stimuli. The reciprocal relationship between sexual arousal and disgust that was previously found for controllable responses did not extend to automatic responses.

Sociocultural Influences on Men's Penis Size Perceptions and Decisions to Undergo Penile Augmentation: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of men, dissatisfied with their penises, are seeking cosmetic procedures to enhance their penis size. However, little is known about the social and cultural factors that influence men to consider these procedures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociocultural factors affecting men's attitudes toward their penis size as well as their decisions to undergo penile augmentation. METHODS: One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 6 adult men who had previously undergone a penile augmentation. The men were asked about the sociocultural factors that they thought contributed to dissatisfaction with their penis size, and their motivations for having penile augmentation. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed through the use of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the interviews, namely "influence of pornography," "comparison with peers," and "indirect appearance-related teasing." The men noted that the large penises of male actors in pornography had skewed their perception of normal penis size. All men had compared their penises with those of their peers, usually in the locker room, and often felt their own penis was smaller as a result. None of the participants had received direct negative comments about their penis size, but were aware that having a small penis was a source of mockery from exposure to jokes on mainstream media sources. CONCLUSIONS: These new insights into the sociocultural factors, namely media and peers, that influence men's desire for penile augmentation may assist clinicians in enhancing their communication with prospective patients.

The influence of olfactory disgust on (Genital) sexual arousal in men.

BACKGROUND: The generation or persistence of sexual arousal may be compromised when inhibitory processes such as negative emotions, outweigh sexual excitation. Disgust particularly, has been proposed as one of the emotions that may counteract sexual arousal. In support of this view, previous research has shown that disgust priming can reduce subsequent sexual arousal. As a crucial next step, this experimental study tested whether disgust (by means of odor) can also diminish sexual arousal in individuals who are already in a state of heightened sexual excitation. METHODOLOGY: In this study, participants were all men (N = 78). To elicit sexual arousal, participants watched a pornographic video. Following 4.30 minutes from the start of the video clip, they were exposed to either a highly aversive/disgusting odor (n = 42), or an odorless diluent/solvent (n = 36), that was delivered via an olfactometer, while the pornographic video continued. In both conditions the presentation of the odor lasted 1 second and was repeated 11 times with intervals of 26 seconds. Sexual arousal was indexed by both self-reports and penile circumference. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The disgusting odor (released when the participants were already sexually aroused) resulted in a significant decrease of both subjective and genital sexual arousal compared to the control (odorless) condition. SIGNIFICANCE: The finding that the inhibitory effect of disgust was not only expressed in self-report but also expressed on the penile response further strengthens the idea that disgust might hamper behavioral actions motivated by sexual arousal (e.g., poor judgment, coercive sexual behavior). Thus, the current findings indicate that exposure to an aversive odor is sufficiently potent to reduce already present (subjective and) genital sexual arousal. This finding may also have practical relevance for disgust to be used as a tool for self-defence (e.g., Invi Bracelet).

Atitudes de jovens frente à pornografia e suas consequências / Attitudes of young people towards pornography and its consequences / Actitudes de jóvenes frente a la pornografía y sus consecuencias

Esta pesquisa qualitativa objetiva identificar e compreender as atitudes que homens e mulheres têm em relação à pornografia, bem como verificar as vantagens e desvantagens percebidas do consumo desse tipo de material no comportamento sexual e nos relacionamentos amorosos. Foram entrevistados dez homens e dez mulheres nascidos no Brasil, entre 20 e 30 anos de idade. Da análise de conteúdo emergiram quatro eixos temáticos: definição de pornografia, finalidade do uso, mudanças na forma de uso, e impactos do uso no comportamento sexual e no relacionamento amoroso. Os entrevistados, tanto homens quanto mulheres, elencaram prejuízos e benefícios do uso de forma semelhante, e sugeriram que características pessoais possam ser elementos importantes nessa avaliação. (AU)

This qualitative research aims to identify and understand the attitudes that men and women have regarding pornography and check the advantages and disadvantages perceived of using this type of material in sexual behavior and in love relationships. Ten men and ten women born in Brazil, between 20 and 30 years old were interviewed. From the content analysis emerged four thematic axes: definition of pornography; purpose of use; changes in the way of use; and impacts of use on sexual behavior and loving relationship. Interviewees, both men and women, have shown similar impairments and benefits of use, and have suggested that personal characteristics may be important elements in this assessment. (AU)

Esta investigación cualitativa tiene como objetivo identificar y comprender las actitudes que tienen hombres y mujeres sobre la pornografía y verificar las ventajas y desventajas percibidas del consumo de este tipo de material en el comportamiento sexual y en las relaciones amorosas. Se entrevistaron diez hombres y diez mujeres nacidos en Brasil, entre 20 y 30 años de edad. Del análisis de contenido emergió cuatro temas: la definición de pornografía; el propósito de uso; los cambios en el uso; y los impactos del uso sobre el comportamiento sexual y la relación amorosa. Los encuestados, tanto hombres como mujeres, mencionaron pérdidas y beneficios de utilizar de manera similar, y sugirieron que las características personales pueden ser elementos importantes en la evaluación. (AU)

Factor structure of the Cybersex Motives Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Internet is widely used for sexual activities and pornography. Little is known, however, about why people look for meetings and sexual interactions through the Internet and about the correlates of cybersex addiction. The goal of this study was to construct a questionnaire for cybersex motives [Cybersex Motives Questionnaire (CysexMQ)] by adapting the Gambling Motives Questionnaire to cybersex use and validating its structure. METHODS: Two online samples of 191 and 204 cybersex users were collected to conduct a principal component analysis (PCA) on the first sample and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the second. Cronbach's α and composite reliability were computed to assess internal consistency. Correlations between the CysexMQ and the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Two competing models were retained from the PCA, one with two factors and the other with three factors. The CFA showed better fit for the three-factor solution. After three cross-loading items were removed, the results showed that a final 14-item three-factor solution (enhancement, coping, and social motives) was valid (adjusted goodness-of-fit index: 0.993; normed-fit index: 0.978; Tucker-Lewis index: 0.985; comparative fit index: 0.988; root mean square error of approximation: 0.076). Positive correlations were found between the different motives and the subscales of the SDI. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that the CysexMQ is adequate for the assessment of cybersex motives.

Fluctuations of estradiol during women's menstrual cycle: Influences on reactivity towards erotic stimuli in the late positive potential.

BACKGROUND: While several studies examined the reactivity towards negative emotional stimuli across women's menstrual cycle, only few investigated responses to positive emotional cues in association with sexual hormones on a neural level. Therefore, the aim of the current EEG-experiment was to study the differential reactivity towards positive (erotic) words during the menstrual cycle (i.e. with fluctuations in the steroids estradiol and progesterone) in the late positive potential (LPP). Regarding reactivity towards erotic stimuli, the LPP is seen as the most relevant ERP-component, as more positive amplitudes in the LPP reflect larger incentive salience and higher arousal. The LPP towards erotic words was expected to be more pronounced during fertile phases of the menstrual cycle (around ovulation). Furthermore, associations with hormonal concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were investigated. METHOD: 19 young, free cycling women were tested in an Erotic Stroop paradigm during the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase in a balanced cross-over design, while electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. RESULTS: LPPs in reaction to erotic compared to neutral words were larger in every phase. During the follicular phase and ovulation, higher estradiol-concentrations were associated with more positive LPP-amplitudes towards erotic- than to neutral words. No effects of progesterone, as well as no effects of cycle phase, were evident. Results are being discussed regarding implications for further research.

Naltrexone for the treatment of comorbid tobacco and pornography addiction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Co-occurring addictive disorders are common, however treatment strategies for this population have not been extensively studied. This is especially the case for behavioral addictions. METHODS: We present a patient (N = 1) with tobacco use disorder and problematic pornography use treated with naltrexone. RESULTS: Naltrexone treatment resulted in a decrease in pornography viewing and cigarette smoking, however had the adverse effect of anhedonia. A lower dose modestly impacted pornography viewing but not smoking. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Relevant literature regarding co-occurring addictions as well as use of naltrexone is reviewed. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This report represents the first case of tobacco and pornography co-addiction in the literature and supports the assertion that treatment of one addictive disorder can benefit another in the dually addicted patient. The efficacy of naltrexone for smoking is notable as previous studies of naltrexone in smoking have been disappointing. This case suggests future treatment strategies for comorbid addictions. (Am J Addict 2017;26:115-117).

Clinical errors and therapist discomfort with client disclosure of troublesome pornography use: Implications for clinical practice and error reduction.

Mental health professionals are increasingly aware of the need for competence in the treatment of clients with pornography-related concerns. However, while researchers have recently sought to explore efficacious treatments for pornography-related concerns, few explorations of potential clinical judgment issues have occurred. Due to the sensitive, and at times uncomfortable, nature of client disclosures of sexual concerns within therapy, therapists are required to manage their own discomfort while retaining fidelity to treatment. The present paper explores clinician examples of judgment errors that may result from feelings of discomfort, and specifically from client use of pornography. Issues of potential bias, bias management techniques, and therapeutic implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Relationship status as an influence on cybersex activity: cybersex, youth, and steady partner.

The authors focus on the influence of participants' having or not having a steady partner when reference to cybersex use. Participants were 1,239 young, Spanish individuals who completed the Internet Sex Screening Test. Results showed the influence of being in a relationship on certain consumption dimensions of cybersex; the influence was found to be greater in men than in women. In general, cybersex activity was higher for single participants, although it was also significant for participants with a steady partner. The authors' findings facilitate the comprehension of the effect of new technologies in intimate human relationships.

Self-assessment of genital anatomy and sexual function within a Belgian, Dutch-speaking female population: a validation study.

INTRODUCTION: Data on self-perceived genital anatomy and sensitivity should be part of the long-term follow-up of genitoplasty procedures. However, no normative data, based on a large sample, exist to date. AIMS: Validation of the Self-Assessment of Genital Anatomy and Sexual Function, Female version (SAGAS-F) questionnaire within a Belgian, Dutch-speaking female population. METHODS: Seven hundred forty-nine women with no history of genital surgery (aged 18-69 years, median 25 years) completed an Internet-based survey of whom 21 women underwent a gynecological examination as to correlate self-reported genital sensitivity assessed in an experimental setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SAGAS-F enables women to rate the sexual pleasure, discomfort, intensity of orgasm, and effort required for achieving orgasm in specified areas around the clitoris and within the vagina, as well as genital appearance. The latter was similarly evaluated by an experienced gynecologist, and women were asked to functionally rate the anatomical areas pointed out with a vaginal swab. RESULTS: Sexual pleasure and orgasm were strongest, and effort to attain orgasm and discomfort was lowest when stimulating the clitoris and sides of the clitoris (P < 0.05). Vaginal sensitivity increased with increasing vaginal depth, but overall orgasmic sensitivity was lower as compared with the clitoris. Functional scores on the SAGAS-F and during gynecological examination corresponded highly on most anatomical areas (P < 0.05). Gynecologist's ratings corresponded highly with the women's ratings for vaginal size (90%) but not for clitoral size (48%). CONCLUSIONS: Replication of the original pilot study results support the validity of the questionnaire. The SAGAS-F discriminates reasonably well between various genital areas in terms of erotic sensitivity. The clitoris itself appeared to be the most sensitive, consistent with maximum nerve density in this area. Surgery to the clitoris could disrupt neurological pathways and compromise erotic sensation and pleasure.

Brain responses to erotic and other emotional stimuli in breast cancer survivors with and without distress about low sexual desire: a preliminary fMRI study.

Many breast cancer survivors report a loss of sexual desire and arousability, consonant with the new DSM-V category of female sexual interest/arousal disorder. The cause of decreased sexual desire and pleasure after treatment for cancer is unknown. One possibility is that cancer, or treatment for cancer, damages brain circuits that are involved in reward-seeking. To test the hypothesis that brain reward systems are involved in decreased sexual desire in breast cancer survivors, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare brain responses to erotica and other emotional stimuli in two groups of women previously treated for breast cancer with chemotherapy: those who were distressed about a perceived loss of sexual desire and those who may have had low desire, but were not distressed about it. Women distressed about their desire had reduced brain responses to erotica in the anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which are part of the brain reward system. This study is the first to demonstrate, in cancer survivors, that problems with sexual desire/arousability are associated with blunted brain responses to erotica in reward systems. Future research is necessary to determine whether brain responses differ as a result of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and menopausal status. This may contribute to the development of new, evidence-based interventions for one of the most prevalent and enduring side effects of cancer treatment.

Pornography consumption, sexual experiences, lifestyles, and self-rated health among male adolescents in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of pornography use among high school boys and to investigate differences between frequent, average, and nonfrequent users of pornography with respect to sexual experiences, lifestyles, and self-rated health. METHODS: A population-based classroom survey among 16-year-old boys (n = 477), from 53 randomly selected high school classes in 2 towns in mid-Sweden. RESULTS: Almost all boys, 96% (n = 453), had watched pornography. Frequent users of pornography (everyday) (10%, n = 47) differed from average users (63%, n = 292) and nonfrequent users (27%, n = 126). Frequent users versus average users and nonfrequent users had more sexual experiences, such as one night stands (45, 32, 25%, respectively) and sex with friends more than 10 times (13, 10, 2%). A higher proportion of frequent users spent more than 10 straight hours at the computer several times a week (32, 5, 8%) and reported more relationship problems with peers (38, 22, 21%), truancy at least once a week (11, 6, 5%), obesity (13, 3, 3%), use of oral tobacco (36, 29, 20%), and use of alcohol (77, 70, 52%) versus average and nonfrequent users. One third of frequent users watched more pornography than they actually wanted. There were no differences between the groups regarding physical and psychological self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS: The boys, defined as frequent users of pornography, were more sexually experienced, spent more time at the computer, and reported an unhealthier lifestyle compared with average and nonfrequent users. No differences regarding self-rated health were detected even though obesity was twice as common among frequent users.

Is pedophilic sexual preference continuous? A taxometric analysis based on direct and indirect measures.

The present study addressed the question of whether deviant sexual preferences for children can be considered a taxon, utilizing data from a multimethod assessment battery. The test battery comprised direct self-report as well as indirect latency-based measures (Implicit Association Tests, viewing time) of deviant sexual preferences for children. In a mixed sample of adult men (N = 304, including sex offenders against children, sex offenders against adults, and controls who were either nonsexual offenders or nonoffenders), 27% of the offenders convicted for child sexual abuse or child pornography charges were identified as a homogeneous and distinct latent class. Additional taxometric analyses corroborated the notion of a pedophilic subgroup. Individuals in this pedophilic group showed elevated scores on measures of deviant sexual preference for children over adults. The offense histories of the individuals from the pedophilic cluster indicated an increased likelihood of pedophilic preference as assessed by a file-based summary index. We interpret the results as evidence for pedophilic sexual preference as a distinct and taxonic clinical construct.