Problematic Pornography Use: Can It Be Accurately Measured via the Problematic Pornography Use Scale?

Abstract

Pornography use has increased its popularity worldwide, raising concerns about potential disordered use. Considering the lack of recognition in diagnostic manuals, conceptual clarification and the validation of robust instruments assessing this problem are much needed. The current study is aimed at assessing the psychometric properties of the Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS). Exploratory and confirmatory analyses (EFA and CFA) were used to assess a four-factor and a bifactor solution. Additionally, this study used latent profile (LPA) and sensitivity analyses to determine suggested cut-off values to identify at-risk users. A large sample of adult pornography users completed the PPUS online (N = 1149). A four-factor solution as proposed by Kor and colleagues (Addictive Behaviors, 39(5), 861-868, Kor et al., Addictive Behaviors 39:861–868, 2014) was identified as the optimal factorial structure. Participants were classified into five profiles, with 3.9% identified as at-risk users, 19.9% as moderate to high risk. A cut-off value of 33 was suggested to accurately identify at-risk users. The PPUS is a multidimensional instrument, showing good adept ability to detect users at risk of problematic pornography use.