Study Links Loneliness and Emotion Regulation Difficulties to Problematic Pornography Use

A recent study from CDU’s Faculty of Health, published in Addictive Behaviors has revealed a connection between loneliness, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problematic pornography use (PPU). The research also discovered that individuals who interact with online content creators report lower levels of PPU.

Key Findings:

Loneliness and PPU: The study highlights that loneliness and struggles with emotion regulation can contribute to problematic pornography use.

Content Creator Interaction: Engaging with online content creators is linked to reduced PPU, suggesting that social interaction through these platforms might mitigate excessive pornography use.

Negative Consequences of PPU: PPU is associated with adverse effects like low self-esteem, reduced relationship satisfaction, anxiety, and lower productivity.

Study Details:

The research surveyed individuals aged 18 to 79, with nearly two-thirds reporting at least weekly pornography use. The findings indicate that loneliness might lead people to use pornography as a way to cope with their emotions. Interestingly, interaction with content creators seems to be associated with lower PPU, though this link doesn't directly relate to emotion regulation or loneliness.

Expert Insights:

Dr. Kim Caudwell, a senior lecturer in psychology at CDU and co-author of the study, emphasized the novelty of incorporating interactions with content creators in the research. She noted that while these interactions are linked to lower PPU, more research is needed to understand their impact fully.

Dr. Caudwell also pointed out that people struggling with emotion regulation might continue to rely on pornography, exacerbating their loneliness and leading to further isolation. This cycle can result in ongoing interpersonal conflicts, especially in relationships where pornography use is a contentious issue.

Implications for Mental Health:

The study suggests that increasing social contact could help reduce loneliness and, consequently, PPU. Therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals manage their emotions in healthier ways, which may alleviate both loneliness and problematic pornography use.

Overall, the research underscores the importance of addressing loneliness and emotion regulation difficulties to combat PPU, and it highlights the potential benefits of social interaction through digital platforms in this context. Further exploration of these dynamics is essential for developing effective interventions.

Original study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100550