Labels Are For Soup Cans: How Self-Labeling as "Addicted" to Pornography Is Associated with Negative Outcomes.

Pornography viewers often report being addicted to pornography even if their behavior does not indicate such addiction. In this study with 1099 participants (52% male), we explored how the specific belief in being addicted to pornography could predict both individual and relational outcomes beyond actual pornography use and reported compulsive pornography use (i.e., considering one's use to be out of control). Using a structural equation model, our results showed that higher agreement with the pornography addiction label, without accounting for compulsivity, was associated with higher depression, suicide ideation, communication discomfort about pornography, and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. After accounting for compulsivity, higher agreement with the pornography addiction label was only associated with higher communication discomfort about pornography and higher odds of having a relationship end solely because of pornography. This study highlights that identifying as addicted to pornography may include a stigma that is particularly detrimental to relationship outcomes.

Web-Based Relationship Education and Pornography-Related Behaviors: A Single-Group Design During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Research surrounding pornography and its impact on individual and relationship functioning is a frequent and ongoing debate in the current literature. However, recent meta-analyses and aggregated studies suggest that relationship distress is associated with higher levels of general pornography use. This may be a reason why a significant number of men and women view pornography and seek help for their use. In the present study, we explored whether participation in the OurRelationship program, a web-based relationship education program that has been empirically shown to reduce relationship distress but is not tailored to reduce general pornography use, was associated with reliable changes in pornography-related behaviors. In a sample of low-income and diverse couples (N = 314 couples; 628 individuals), we observed high completion rates (64.3%) as well as reliable, small-sized decreases in the frequency and duration of pornography use for the average couple (d = 0.12-0.13). Furthermore, post hoc analyses found that individuals who began the program viewing pornography daily reported reliability-larger decreases in pornography-related behaviors (d = 0.32-0.90) than those who viewed pornography less frequently. However, we did not see reliable changes in couples' arguments about pornography use or perceptions of problematic use. The findings were generally not moderated by gender or lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians struggling to reduce their client's general pornography use may consider including a focus on improving general romantic relationship functioning.

Examining the Problematic Pornography Use Model: A Quantitative Exploration of Dysregulated Pornography Use.

BACKGROUND: Questions concerning problematic pornography consumption have been widely discussed, but longitudinal data examining the relationships implicated by problematic pornography use models are rare. To date, two models have been proposed that have sought to elucidate the causal mechanisms involved in a problematic pornography use model, the I-PACE model and the Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence Model. AIM: We sought to clarify this issue by investigating the prospective association between variables integral to previously proposed addiction models. METHODS: Using a longitudinal TurkPrime.com sample (N = 317), and a newly developed measure of pornography consumption, we asked participants to answer questions related to their pornography usage, their distress levels, and individual differences over a six-month time frame during 2017. MAIN OUTCOME: Pornography consumption only led to distress when an individual possessed certain individual differences. Moreover, there was no evidence that pornography use mediated or suppressed the relationship between pornography consumption and distress. RESULTS: Using a series of mediation/suppression models, we found evidence to support the structure of existing theoretical models; specifically, pornography consumption amplifies the relationship between individual differences (ie, sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking) and distress (ie, depression and sexual esteem) over a six-month time period. However, we failed to observe an association between pornography consumption and distress when sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking were left unaccounted for within the model, suggesting pornography use likely only results in distress in those with certain individual differences. Moreover, there was no evidence that perceptions of problematic pornography use suppressed or mediated the relationship between pornography consumption and distress. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that targeting specific individual differences -a la Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-rather than pornography consumption attitudes may be a more effective strategy to reduce problematic pornography use. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: One strength of the current study was that we were able to corroborate previously hypothesized models of problematic pornography consumption. Furthermore, this was done using a newly designed measurement of pornography consumption. However, the study was not without some shortcoming. We were unable to test the pornography problems due to moral incongruence arm of the study, something that previous research has indicated may lead to distress. CONCLUSION: This paper sought to empirically examine models investigating problematic pornography use. Our findings indicate that pornography consumption will only lead to certain sorts of distress in the presence of specific individual differences ie, sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking. Hatch HD, Hatch SG, Henderson E, et al. Examining the Problematic Pornography Use Model: A Quantitative Exploration of Dysregulated Pornography Use. J Sex Med 2022;19:132-143.

Pornography Addiction: An Exploration of the Association Between Use, Perceived Addiction, Erectile Dysfunction, Premature (Early) Ejaculation, and Sexual Satisfaction in Males Aged 18-44 Years.

INTRODUCTION: The way men consume pornography changed over the last decade, with increased numbers of men presenting with self-perceived Internet pornography (IP) addiction and related sexual dysfunction. A lack of consensus and formal recognition in the DSM-5 lead to a variety of definitions of IP addiction. Currently, the majority of evidence linking IP addiction and sexual dysfunction was derived from consumers, case studies, and qualitative research. Where empirical measures were used, researchers found mixed outcomes in sexual response. Inconclusive data appeared to relate to the conflation of IP use and self-perceived IP addiction, and normal variations in sexual response with clinical diagnosis of sexual dysfunction. Thus, further empirical clarification is required to assess the impact of both IP use and self-perceived IP addiction, on men's sexual function. AIMS: This study has 3 aims: First, to assess if there is an association between IP use alone and erectile dysfunction (ED), premature (early) ejaculation (EE) and sexual satisfaction (SS); Second, to assess whether there is an association between self-perceived IP addiction and ED, EE and SS. Third, to assess whether IP use or self-perceived IP addiction uniquely predicts ED, EE, SS in men. METHOD: Correlation and regression analysis was conducted on a cross-sectional sample of 942 heterosexual men aged 18-44 years who participated in an online survey sourced from Reddit IP subgroups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cyber-Pornography Use Inventory; International Index Erectile Dysfunction; The Checklist for Early Ejaculation Symptoms; New Sexual Satisfaction Scale; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. RESULTS: There was no evidence for an association between IP use with ED, EE, or SS. However, there were small to moderate positive correlations between self-perceived IP addiction and ED, EE and sexual dissatisfaction. Further, self-perceived IP addiction uniquely predicted increased ED, EE and individual sexual dissatisfaction. Contrary to expectations, self-perceived IP addiction did not predict sexual dissatisfaction with one's sexual partner. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IP use alone does not predict sexual dysfunction. Rather, self-perception of increased IP addiction was related to negative sexual outcomes. Thus, we concluded that subjective interpretation of ones IP use was a contributor to IP related sexual problems in our sample of males who share IP on social media sites. We recommend that clinicians consider self-perceived IP addiction as a possible contributing factor to sexual dysfunction. Whelan G, Brown J. Pornography Addiction: An Exploration of the Association Between Perceived Addiction, Erectile Dysfunction, Premature (Early) Ejaculation, and Sexual Satisfaction in Males Aged 18-44 Years. J Sex Med 2021;18:1582-1591.

Roles of Religiosity, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, Scrupulosity, and Shame in Self-Perceived Pornography Addiction: A Preregistered Study.

This study examined the roles of religiosity, shame, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and scrupulosity in perceived pornography addiction. We theorized that religiosity causes pornography users to feel shame regarding their use, and in turn, self-identify as addicted to pornography, especially for individuals high on one of several proposed moderators. Participants were 645-646 pornography users who believe in a theistic God. Confirmatory analyses indicated that religious primes did not have indirect or moderated indirect effects on perceived addiction. However, exploratory analyses revealed that religious primes were associated with higher shame, and in turn, perceived addiction among individuals high on both organizational religiosity and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder compulsivity subscales. Additionally, self-reported religiosity had indirect effects on perceived addiction via shame, especially among individuals high on scrupulosity or moral disapproval of pornography.

Evaluating Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence Model.

INTRODUCTION: To date, multiple models of problematic pornography use have been proposed, but attempts to validate them have been scarce. AIM: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the Pornography Problems due to Moral Incongruence model proposing that self-appraisals of pornography addiction stem from (i) general dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence between internalized norms and behavior. We investigated whether the model can be used to adequately explain the self-perceptions of addiction to pornography (model 1) and a broader phenomenon of problematic pornography use (model 2). METHODS: An online, nationally representative study was conducted on a sample of 1036 Polish adult participants, of whom, 880 declared a lifetime history of viewing pornography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcomes were self-perceived pornography addiction, problematic pornography use, avoidant coping, frequency of pornography use, religiosity, moral disapproval of pornography, and related variables. RESULTS: Our results indicated that avoidant coping (an indicator of general dysregulation), frequency of pornography use (indicator of habits of use), and the distress connected with incongruence between own sexual behavior and internalized norms, attitudes and beliefs positively contributed to self-perceived addiction (model 1) as well as problematic pornography use (model 2). This broadly confirms the basic shape of the PPMI model. There were, however, notable differences between the models. Moral incongruence related distress was only weakly related to self-perceived addiction (ß = 0.15, P < .001), with a stronger relation for problematic pornography use (ß = 0.31, P < .001). When controlling for other factors, religiosity weakly predicted problematic pornography use (ß = 0.13, P < .001), but not self-perceived addiction to pornography (ß = 0.03, P = .368). Frequency of pornography use was the strongest predictor of both self-perceived addiction (ß = 0.52, P < .001) and problematic pornography use (ß = 0.43, P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Factors proposed within the PPMI model are distinctly relevant intervention targets, and they should be considered in the process of diagnosis and treatment. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The presented study is the first to evaluate PPMI model. Its main limitation is that it has a cross-sectional design. CONCLUSION: The PPMI model is a promising framework for investigating the factors related to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use. Despite the differences between the models and in the strength of specific predictors, (i) dysregulation, (ii) habits of use, and (iii) moral incongruence all uniquely contribute to self-perceived addiction and problematic pornography use. Lewczuk, K., Glica, A., Nowakowska, I., et al. Evaluating Pornography Problems Due to Moral Incongruence Model. J Sex Med 2020;17:300-311.

Exploring the clinical profile of problematic pornography use.

BACKGROUND: Although problematic pornography use (PPU) will soon be diagnosable through the International Classification for Diseases, 11th revision, its clinical profile remains contentious. The current study assessed whether PPU may be characterized by various symptoms sometimes observed among online recovery forums that currently lack empirical assessment, such as heightened cognitive-affective issues following pornography use and sexual dysfunction with partners as a result of escalating use. METHOD: Cross-sectional surveys were completed by male PPUs (N = 138, mean age = 31.75 years, standard deviation = 10.72) recruited via online recovery communities and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the Problematic Pornography Use Scale as the dependent variable and variables of interest (Arizona Sexual Experiences Scales modified for partnered sex and pornography use, Brunel Mood Scale, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, and the Tolerance subscale from the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale) and potential confounders (eg, comorbid psychopathology) as independent variables. RESULTS: Current levels of pornography use, indicators of tolerance and escalation, greater sexual functioning with pornography, and psychological distress were uniquely associated with PPU severity, while cognitive-affective issues after pornography use, impulsivity and compulsivity were not. Although sexual dysfunction did not predict PPU severity, nearly half the sample indicated sexual dysfunction with intimate partners. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that PPU may be characterized by tolerance and escalation (as per substance addiction models), greater sexual responsivity toward pornography, and psychological distress. Meanwhile, the high rate of partnered sexual dysfunction observed suggests that PPU might be somewhat separable from other forms of compulsive sexual behavior.

Prevalence and Determinants of Problematic Online Pornography Use in a Sample of German Women.

AIM: To investigate problematic online pornography use in women, an issue that has rarely been tackled to date. METHODS: We used the data from a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey of a self-referred sample of 485 German women to examine the relationships between problematic online pornography consumption and a range of sexual behaviors, trait sexual motivation, and motives for pornography use. RESULTS: Approximately 3% of our sample had problematic pornography use. In multivariate analysis, problematic use was significantly associated with the overall time spent viewing online pornography, greater sexual motivation, and greater emotional avoidance. Our data also indicate that the influence of sexual motivation on problematic pornography use is mediated by the amount of time spent watching online pornography. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Identifying these predictors for problematic use is important for specific prevention programs for women at risk of pathological use. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study is one of the first to show that women also experience problematic online pornography use and identifies risk factors for problematic behavior. The weakness of this study is that as in all studies on sexuality, people who are interested in the topic and are comfortable talking about it are more likely to participate, thus rendering the sample nonrepresentative. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, approximately 3% of women experience problems associated with engaging in online pornography consumption. Baranowski AM, Vogl R, Stark R. Prevalence and Determinants of Problematic Online Pornography Use in a Sample of German Women. J Sex Med 2019;16:1274-1282.

Is Pornography Use Associated with Sexual Difficulties and Dysfunctions among Younger Heterosexual Men?

INTRODUCTION: Recent epidemiological studies reported high prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among younger heterosexual men (≤40). It has been suggested that this "epidemic" of ED is related to increased pornography use. However, empirical evidence for such association is currently lacking. AIM: This study analyzes associations between pornography use and sexual health disturbances among younger heterosexual men using four large-scale online samples from three European countries. METHODS: The analyses were carried out using a 2011 cross-sectional online study of Croatian, Norwegian, and Portuguese men (Study 1; N = 2,737) and a 2014 cross-sectional online study of Croatian men (Study 2; N = 1,211). Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the associations between pornography use and sexual difficulties. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In Study 1, erectile difficulties, inability to reach orgasm, and a lack of sexual desire were measured using the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behavior indicators. In Study 2, ED was measured with the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Delayed ejaculation and a decrease of sexual desire were assessed with one-item indicators. RESULTS: In Study 1, only the relationship between pornography use and ED among Croatian men was statistically significant (χ(2) [2] = 18.76, P < 0.01). The association was small and inconsistent. Compared with infrequent use of pornography, moderate but not high frequency of pornography use increased the odds of reporting ED (adjusted odds ratio = 0.53, P < 0.01). In Study 2, no significant associations both between either the frequency or the recent dynamics of pornography use and male sexual dysfunctions were observed. CONCLUSION: We found little evidence of the association between pornography use and male sexual health disturbances. Contrary to raising public concerns, pornography does not seem to be a significant risk factor for younger men's desire, erectile, or orgasmic difficulties.

Post-COVID-19 internet addiction, depression, and pornography addiction among adolescents: Findings from a nationwide study in Bangladesh.

Background and Aims: Regulations response to COVID-19 has increased internet addiction (IA), depression, and pornography addiction (PA) among adolescents worldwide. The objective of this nationwide study was to assess the current prevalence rate of IA, depression, and PA after the post-COVID-19 period among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 8832 male and female adolescents participated in this research. The cross-sectional study was conducted online using a simple random sampling method. Including the sociodemographic variables, Young's IA Test (IAT-20) Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ-12) were used to measure IA, depression, and PA. By SPSS version 25.0, the prevalence and correlation between IA, depression, and PA were analyzed using the Chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and a bivariate co-relation matrix. Results: Sixty-three percent, 76.6%, and 62.9% of the students were suffering from IA, depression, and PA respectively. Depressive and anxious symptoms were significantly associated with IA. Female students were more depressed than males. Males were more addicted to pornography than females. Students who utilized social media but didn't exercise had greater depression and PA. IA, depression, and PA were correlated. Conclusion: The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health treatments, digital literacy programs, and family and teacher participation to reduce IA, depression, and PA among adolescents post-COVID-19. Promotion of physical exercise and supporting policies to build safer online settings for adolescents are also encouraged.

Problematic pornography use and novel patterns of escalating use: A cross-sectional network analysis with two independent samples.

Modern internet pornography allows users to harness sexual novelty in numerous ways, which can be used to overcome desensitisation through increasing volume of use (quantitative tolerance), progressing to more stimulating genres (qualitative escalation), skipping between stimuli (tab-jumping), delaying orgasm ('edging'), and engaging in pornographic binges. However, existing research has not yet evaluated how these potentially reciprocal consumption patterns relate to problematic pornography use (PPU). To this end, we recruited two independent samples of male pornography users (N1 = 1,356, Mage = 36.86, SD = 11.26; N2 = 944, Mage = 38.69, SD = 12.26) and examined the relationships between these behavioural dimensions and self-reported difficulties in controlling one's pornography use. Data were analysed through the network analysis approach (using Gaussian graphical models). As hypothesised, i) quantitative tolerance was centrally placed within the overall network, and ii) acted as a statistical bridge node between other patterns of pornography use (e.g., pornographic binges), and all measured facets of PPU. Our results are consistent with other emerging literature suggesting that tolerance, pornographic binges, tab-jumping, and edging behaviours as relevant features ofPPU, and that upscaling overall usage may connect broader patterns of use with problematic engagement. Clinical and theoretical implications, as well as future research directions, are discussed.

Biopsychosocial Determinants of Problematic Pornography Use: A Systematic Review.

Background: Although some studies have examined the determinants of problematic pornography use (PPU), few systematic comparisons of risk profiles have been conducted so far. Research on risk profiles can shed a bright light on our knowledge of both the early diagnosis and etiology of such highly prevalent disorders. Accordingly, the present study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the determinants of PPU. Methods: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched, and relevant English articles, including longitudinal and cross-sectional studies on risk factors published from January 2000 to February 2022 were reviewed. Findings: The determinants of PPU extracted from the investigated studies (n=66) were summarized and clustered into biological, psychological, and social categories. The findings indicated that ventral striatum activity is a consistent biological factor which plays a key role in the development of PPU, while there were other psychological factors influencing PPU as mentioned in several studies, including craving, low self-esteem, sexual arousal, coping styles, stress, frequent pornography watching, avoidance, negative beliefs, and emotional deficiency. In addition, the social factors affecting PPU have been reported to be male gender, age, religion, moral incompatibility, and loneliness. According to these results, the identified factors could be considered in preventive treatment. Conclusion: This systematic review provided a comprehensive overview of the biopsychosocial determinants of PPU by analyzing 66 articles mostly from Europe and North America. Most studies showed that ventral striatum activity, craving, self-esteem, stress, frequent pornography watching, gender, age, and religion are related to PPU.

Online Sex Addiction: A Qualitative Analysis of Symptoms in Treatment-Seeking Men.

Background: Problematic sexual internet use has been attracting increasing research attention in recent years. However, there is a paucity of qualitative studies about how this problem manifests on a daily basis in the clinical population and whether the phenomenon should fall within the hypersexual, compulsive-impulsive, or addictive spectrums of disorders. Methods: Twenty-three semi-structured interviews, including AICA-C clinical interviews, were conducted with men who were in treatment for problematic internet sex use (aged 22-53; Mage = 35.82). The interview structure focused on the patterns of sexual behavior in question, their development, the manifestation of symptoms, and other associated psychosocial problems. A thematic analysis was applied as the main analytical strategy. Results: Typical problematic patterns included pornography use and cybersex, together with continuous masturbation for several hours several times a week. This pattern emerged relatively early in young adulthood and became persistent for years. The majority of participants fulfilled the criteria for behavioral addiction (as defined, e.g., by the components model of addiction), with loss of control and preoccupation being the most pronounced and withdrawal symptoms being the least. Together with the onset of erectile dysfunction, negative consequences were reported as being slowly built up over years and typically in the form of deep life dissatisfaction, regret, and feelings of unfulfilled potential. Discussion and Conclusion: The Addiction model is relevant for describing the difficulties in treatment-seeking men who suffer from problematic sexual internet use. However, the manifestations of the additional criteria are nuanced. In the case of negative consequences, their onset might be very slow and not easily reflected. While there was evidence of several forms of tolerance, potential withdrawal symptoms in online sex addiction need further attention to be verified.

The Potential Cutaneous Effects of Pornography Addiction: A Narrative Review.

Pornography addiction is an area of increasing concern, particularly due to the ubiquitous nature of pornographic material on the Internet. Even so, there is no formal Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) inclusion of compulsive pornography use as a behavioral addiction. Although the psychosocial impacts of pornography addiction have been studied, the risk of direct skin injuries and behavioral changes brought about by excessive pornography usage remain to be seen. Adult males constitute the majority of cases of engaging in risky and violent sexual behaviors with an unclear association with pornography consumption. Adult females may be likely to copy pubic hair trimming patterns analogous to those seen in pornographic content, even though attitudes towards labiaplasty are unclear. Finally, adolescents regularly exposed to pornography have been found to replicate sexual activity seen in pornographic material and have earlier sexual activity. In the literature evaluated, an association between pornographic material and direct cutaneous disease remains a major area of further research.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) dataset with porn addiction and healthy teenagers under rest and executive function task.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) signal data were obtained from Yayasan Kita dan Buah Hati (YKBH), Jakarta, Indonesia and collected using a Brain Maker EEG machine with 19 channels. The sampling rate of the machine was 250 Hz. Fourteen participants (five females and nine males) participated in the data collection. A psychologist verified that seven of them were addicted to porn, and seven were healthy teenagers. The EEG data were recorded using one protocol with nine tasks for 10 min. The three stages were the baseline (tasks with eyes closed and open), emotional state (happy, calm, sad and fearful tasks) and main (15-words memorisation task, executive task and 15-words recall task) stages. The data obtained was used to analyse the signal pattern of pornography addiction amongst teenagers, as well as the emotional signal pattern and working memory capacity.

Psychometric Instruments for Problematic Pornography Use: A Systematic Review.

Despite a lack of consensus in the field about how best to conceptualize problematic pornography use, psychometric instruments have nonetheless been developed to assess the construct. The present systematic review aimed to (i) identify psychometric tools that have been developed to assess problematic pornography use; (ii) summarize key characteristics, psychometric properties, and strengths and limitations of instruments for problematic pornography use; (iii) compare the instruments' theoretical conceptualizations of problematic pornography use; and (iv) evaluate each instrument on their ability to assess various core components of addiction. In this article, 22 instruments assessing problematic pornography use were reviewed. Results indicated that while the instruments had different conceptualizations of problematic pornography use, addiction still emerged as the most common theoretical framework used by the instruments. Five of the most commonly assessed addiction components across the different instruments were (1) impaired control, (2) salience, (3) mood modification, (4) interpersonal conflict, and (5) general life conflict. Contextual factors that may potentially affect the assessment of problematic pornography use and recommendations for researchers and clinicians are discussed.

The Impact of Negative Mood on Event-Related Potentials When Viewing Pornographic Pictures.

Background: Negative affective states may increase the risk for problematic pornography use. Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are, however, not completely understood. Previous research suggests that the participants' emotional state may affect neural processing of sexual stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate neural correlates of negative affect-induced alterations in sexual cue reactivity in healthy men. The moderating effects of habitual porn consumption, trait sexual motivation, and symptoms of cybersex addiction were also considered. Method: Sixty-four healthy men engaged in a sexual cue reactivity task (passive viewing of explicit sexual pictures and neutral pictures depicting scenes of social interaction) during negative (n = 32) vs. neutral affect (n = 32), induced via tailored feedback on a performance task. Self-reported sexual arousal and event-related brain potentials indicated cue reactivity and motivated attention. Symptoms of cybersex addiction and trait sexual motivation were assessed with the help of the short Internet Addiction Test, adapted to online sexual activities, and the Trait Sexual Motivation Questionnaire. Results: Negative feedback increased negative affect after the performance task. While sexual pictures compared to neutral pictures elicited significantly larger P300 and late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes, there was no general effect of negative feedback on sexual stimuli-related P300 and LPP amplitudes. In the negative feedback group, men with higher solitary sexual motivation levels showed higher P300/LPP difference amplitudes for sexual stimuli compared to men with lower levels of solitary sexual motivation. The opposite effect was found in the group with neutral feedback. There was no link to other aspects of trait sexual motivation and symptoms of cybersex addiction. Conclusions: Results suggest that higher levels of solitary sexual motivation may enhance motivated attention toward sexual stimuli among men receiving negative performance feedback. Other characteristics of sexual behaviors and traits provided no exploratory value. Future studies extending onto men suffering from compulsive sexual behavior disorder will have to closer look at the neurophysiological bases of why and when some men develop an addictive pornography consumption.

Variability of Pornographic Content Consumed and Longest Session of Pornography Use Associated With Treatment Seeking and Problematic Sexual Behavior Symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Most of the previous studies on problematic pornography use and related behavior have focused on such descriptors of pornography use habits as frequency or time devoted to pornography use. AIM: We argue that this constitutes a narrow view and indicators that characterize other aspects of explicit content consumption, namely (i) longest session of pornography viewing (which may be related to binge behavior), as well as (ii) variability of consumed pornographic content, can also be useful indicators. METHODS: An online study based on a sample of 132 heterosexual men seeking treatment for problematic pornography use, referred by therapists after their initial visit and 437 non-treatment seekers in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes of this study are reported longest, non-stop session of viewing pornography, variability in consumed pornographic content (including paraphilic and violent pornography), actual treatment seeking for problematic pornography use and severity of symptoms, and average weekly time devoted to pornography use. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that longest session of viewing pornographic content as well as the variety of consumed pornography influenced the decision to seek treatment and the severity of symptoms even when the sheer amount of time devoted to pornography use was controlled. CONCLUSION: This is one of the few studies examining the role of engagement in prolonged sessions of pornography use and the variability of consumed pornographic content in the clinical context of problematic sexual behavior. The study's main limitations are its relatively narrow method of operationalization of variability of pornographic content and longest session of pornography viewing, as well as its cross-sectional, online, and anonymous character. As the described factors have an important influence on treatment seeking and the severity of experienced symptoms, they should be considered in the process of assessing compulsive sexual behavior disorder and related symptoms. Lewczuk K, Lesniak J, Lew-Starowicz M, et al. Variability of Pornographic Content Consumed and Longest Session of Pornography Use Associated With Treatment Seeking and Problematic Sexual Behavior Symptoms. Sex Med 2021;9:100276.

Markers of Prenatal Androgen Exposure Correlate With Online Sexual Compulsivity and Erectile Function in Young Men.

Pornography addiction and sexual dysfunction are increasingly prevalent in young men. Previous studies suggest that prenatal androgen exposure plays a role in addiction and sexual functionality. Here, we tested whether lower second-to-fourth finger length ratio (2D:4D) and later age at spermarche, both putative indicators of higher androgen levels in utero, correlate with online sexual compulsivity (OSC scale of ISST), erectile function (IIEF-5), and ejaculatory control (PEPA) in 4,370 young men (age IQR: 25-26 years) of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors. Statistical analyses revealed that lower 2D:4D correlated with higher scores on the OSC scale. Moreover, higher age at spermarche correlated with higher OSC scores and decreased erectile function. Interestingly, OSC severity, but not the frequency of pornography use, correlated negatively with erectile function and ejaculatory control. This is the first study to associate two independent proxies of prenatal testosterone level with OSC. These findings provide novel insight into intrauterine predisposition of sexual behavior and related sexual function in adulthood.

Frequency of use, moral incongruence and religiosity and their relationships with self-perceived addiction to pornography, internet use, social networking and online gaming.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Moral incongruence involves disapproval of a behavior in which people engage despite their moral beliefs. Although considerable research has been conducted on how moral incongruence relates to pornography use, potential roles for moral incongruence in other putative behavioral addictions have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of moral incongruence in self-perceived addiction to: (i) pornography; (ii) internet addiction; (iii) social networking; and (iv) online gaming. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, preregistered, online survey using multivariable regression. SETTING: Online study conducted in Poland. PARTICIPANTS: 1036 Polish adults aged between 18 and 69 years. MEASUREMENTS: Measures included self-perceived behavioral addiction to pornography, internet use, social networking and online gaming and their hypothesized determinants (moral incongruence, frequency of use, time of use, religiosity, age and gender). FINDINGS: Higher moral incongruence (ß = 0.20, P < 0.001) and higher religiosity (ß = 0.08, P < 0.05) were independently associated with higher self-perceived addiction to pornography. Additionally, frequency of pornography use was the strongest of the analyzed predictors (ß = 0.43, P < 0.001). A similar, positive relationship between high moral incongruence and self-perceived addiction was also present for internet (ß = 0.16, P < 0.001), social networking (ß = 0.18, P < 0.001) and gaming addictions (ß = 0.16, P < 0.001). Religiosity was uniquely, although weakly, connected to pornography addiction, but not to other types of addictive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Moral incongruence may be positively associated with self-perception of behavioral addictions including not only pornography viewing, but also internet use, social networking and online gaming.