Affection substitution: The effect of pornography consumption on close relationships

Abstract

Scholars have stated that humans have a fundamental need to belong, but less is known about whether individuals can use other resources to substitute for close relationships. In this study, 357 adults reported their level of affection deprivation, their weekly pornography consumption, their goals for using pornography (including life satisfaction and loneliness reduction), and indicators of their individual and relational wellness. We hypothesized that individuals might consume pornography as a coping mechanism (either adaptive or maladaptive) to deal with affection deprivation, with affection deprivation relating to the goals for using pornography and consumption potentially moderating the relationships between affection deprivation and the outcome measures. As predicted, affection deprivation and pornography consumption were inversely related to relational satisfaction and closeness, while being positively related to loneliness and depression. Affection deprivation was positively related with most stated goals for pornography use (although the relationship between affection deprivation and pornography consumption was nonsignificant). The moderation hypothesis, however, showed little evidence, yielding a moderating effect only on the relationship between affection deprivation and depression (with nonsignificant effects for relational satisfaction, closeness, and loneliness). Overall, there is some evidence that pornography consumption is used as a form of affection substitution (dealing with the perception of affection deprivation). However, there is no evidence of consumption being either adaptive or maladaptive when it comes to relationship satisfaction, closeness, and loneliness, although it is possibly maladaptive in terms of depression.

Impact of COVID-19 on pornography use: Evidence from big data analyses

“…As wellbeing is generally considered to be positively associated with the frequency of sexual intercourse [ 35 ], a decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse may indicate a decrease in mental wellbeing, even when autoerotism and pornography are used as substitutes for sexual intercourse. It was hypothesised that pornography consumption is used as a coping mechanism to deal with affection deprivation [ 36 ]. However, its long-term effect on mental health is still controversial.…”

Adolescents’ Use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material Over the Course of 2019–2020 in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-wave Panel Study

“…For instance, a relationship break-up may be a more powerful trigger to use SEIM to compensate for the lack of sexual interactions with a former partner. The study of Hesse and Floyd ( 2019 ) showed some evidence that SEIM use can be used to deal with the perception of affection deprivation in close relationships. However, when it comes to adolescents’ SEIM uses, no research has explored how profound contextual changes other than the COVID-19 pandemic can potentially stimulate SEIM use.…”

The impact of initial social distancing measures on individuals’ anxiety and loneliness depending on living with their romantic/sexual partners

“…None of the guidelines mentioned viewing of internet pornography. While repeated viewing of internet pornography can be problematic (Wetterneck et al, 2012), occasional viewing can help reduce the negative emotionality of loneliness for individuals who live alone (Hesse & Floyd, 2019;Sharkey et al, 2020;Stark et al, 2017). Future research is warranted on the sexual experiences and expectations of adults during the pandemic.…”