JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In order to measure what we call here ‘pornography-watching disorder’ (PWD), the substance use disorder criteria of DSM-5 were transformed. Using this method we analyzed the relationships between personal features and PWD.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe pornography use as a disorder and to find its risk factors, by using the DSM-5 criteria in an online survey

Methods:

The cross-sectional study was conducted by means of an online web-based questionnaire, comprising several aspects of sexuality, between September and December 2018 in Hungary. A convenience sampling technique was applied, and the participants were recruited through the webpage of the Medical Faculty of the University of Szeged and by promotions on various social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram). For those who already consumed pornographic content, a set of 10 statements (based on substance use disorder criteria of DSM-5) was opened in order to identify people with PWD. Social relationships, sexuality, relationship to pornography and sociodemographic background were used as independent variables. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to identify characteristics predicting the risk of PWD.

Results:

The web-based questionnaire was filled in by 9,397 young adults. Of those, 7,187 had already consumed pornographic content, and only these were included in the present analysis. The prevalence of PWD was 4.4%. Its predisposing factors were higher frequency of watching pornography, male sex, occurrence of a paraphilia, early encounter with pornographic content, lower level of satisfaction with sexual life, difficulties in establishing personal relationships, occurrence of a sexual disorder, stronger adherence to religious norms, inappropriate sexual education, and living in the capital.

Conclusions:

The present study identified various predisposing factors for PWD. The methods and results of the study can be used to standardize other pornography use scales, and possibly to supply some evidence required to officially recognize porn addiction as a disorder.