The Influence of Pornography on Young People’s Sexual Health and Behaviour

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore whether pornography use impacts upon young people's sexual health and behaviour. This is examined over a number of chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to this topic through reviewing pornography use in young people, and the current identified impacts it can have. Chapter 2 is a systematic literature review on the interactions between pornography, sexual health, and sexual behaviour in young people.Here, current literature is reviewed, and the strengths and weaknesses of relevant studies are discussed. In Chapter 3 the Multiphasic Sex Inventory (MSI) is critiqued. This considers the validity and reliability of using this tool and its psychometric properties.Chapter 4 is an empirical study exploring pornography use, sexual health and sexual behaviour in young people, and considers whether there are interactions between the three variables. The data are analysed through various means, including principal component analysis (PCA). Sexual interest scales were identified and relationships were found between some scales and sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Chapter 5 brings together the chapters from the thesis and links the findings from the systematic literature review with the results from the empirical research paper and critique of the MSI. Implications, limitations of the thesis, and ways forward are all discussed in this chapter. This thesis also highlights the need for further research in this field, including cross-cultural studies.