Internet pornography use and sexual motivation: a systematic review and integration

Untangling the Porn Web: Creating an Organizing Framework for Pornography Research Among Couples

“…As shown in a recent meta-analysis (Grubbs, Wright, Braden, Wilt, & Kraus, 2019), individuals who view pornography when morally opposed to it are more likely to report being addicted to pornography. This report of addiction (which may or may not reflect actual dysregulated behaviors) is then linked to a variety of negative outcomes (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, and religious/spiritual; Grubbs, Wright et al, 2019). In one of the few relationally focused studies on the topic, researchers found that religiosity was a robust predictor of relational anxiety, meaning that individuals were less comfortable pursuing relationships and openly disclosing their pornography use to a romantic partner (Leonhardt, Willoughby, & Young-Petersen, 2018).…”

“…Although this line of research has received little attention at the couple level, it has received ample attention at the individual level (e.g., Grubbs, Kraus, & Perry, 2019;. As shown in a recent meta-analysis (Grubbs, Wright, Braden, Wilt, & Kraus, 2019), individuals who view pornography when morally opposed to it are more likely to report being addicted to pornography. This report of addiction (which may or may not reflect actual dysregulated behaviors) is then linked to a variety of negative outcomes (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, and religious/spiritual; Grubbs, Wright et al, 2019).…”

Surveying Pornography Use: A Shaky Science Resting on Poor Measurement Foundations

“…To better appreciate the antecedents of pornography use, it is important to consider the motives for such use. A recent review of the relevant literature indicates that sexual arousal and sexual enhancement were by far the primary drivers of pornography use, but other motives exist as well (Grubbs, Wright, Braden, Wilt, & Kraus, 2019). Such motives include coping and stress relief, avoidance of boredom, curiosity and information seeking, and intimacy motives (specifically for shared pornography use with a sexual partner).…”

“…Considering potential antecedents of pornography use, it is also important to note that while acceptability of pornography appears to be increasing over time, pornography use remains riddled with moral implications (Grubbs, Wright, et al, 2019). A recent national Gallup Poll in the United States, for example, indicated that while many Americans (43%) believe that pornography use is morally acceptable, a sizable portion (36%) do not (Dugan, 2018).…”

“…and effects. Unfortunately, the role that stigma plays with respect to pornography use is rarely considered in research to date (Grubbs, Wright, et al, 2019).…”