Identification and comprehensive characterization of moral disapproval and behavioral dysregulation-based pornography-use profiles across 42 countries
Authors: Bőthe Beáta , Tóth-Király István , Popova Nevena , Nagy Léna , Koós Mónika , Demetrovics Zsolt , Potenza Marc N. , Kraus Shane W. , Ballester-Arnal Rafael , Batthyány Dominik , Bergeron Sophie , Billieux Joël , Briken Peer , Burkauskas Julius , Cárdenas-López Georgina , Carvalho Joana , Castro-Calvo Jesús , Chen Lijun , Ciocca Giacomo , Corazza Ornella , Csako Rita I. , Czakó Andrea , Fernandez David P. , Fernandez Elaine F. , Fujiwara Hironobu , Fuss Johannes , Gabrhelík Roman , Gewirtz-Meydan Ateret , Gjoneska Biljana , Gola Mateusz , Hashim Hashim T. , Islam MD. Saiful , Ismail Mustafa , Jiménez-Martínez Martha C. , Jurin Tanja , Kalina Ondrej , Klein Verena , Költő András , Lee Chih-Ting , Lee Sang-Kyu , Lewczuk Karol , Lin Chung-Ying , Lochner Christine , López-Alvarado Silvia , Lukavská Kateřina , Mayta-Tristán Percy , Miller Dan J. , Orosová Oľga , Orosz Gábor , _ _ , Ponce Fernando P. , Quintana Gonzalo R. , Quintero Garzola Gabriel C. , Ramos-Diaz Jano , Rigaud Kévin , Rousseau Ann , Scanavino Marco de Tubino , Schulmeyer Marion K. , Sharan Pratap , Shibata Mami , Shoib Sheikh , Sigre-Leirós Vera , Sniewski Luke , Spasovski Ognen , Steibliene Vesta , Stein Dan J. , Štulhofer Aleksandar , Ünsal Berk C. , Vaillancourt-Morel Marie-Pier , Van Hout Marie Claire , Grubbs Joshua B. 
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

The Moral Incongruence Model of Pornography Use proposes that pornography-use-related problems may be present due to problematic pornography use (PPU) and/or moral disapproval (MD) of pornography use. Despite some supporting empirical evidence, no study has tested the presence of different pornography-use profiles based on individuals' behavioral dysregulation (i.e., PPU) and moral values concerning pornography use. The generalizability of previous findings to diverse populations has also been limited given the scarcity of studies conducted outside of Western countries.

Methods

Using data from the International Sex Survey (42 countries, N = 66,994; Mage = 32.16 years, SD = 12.27), we conducted latent profile analysis to identify pornography-use profiles based on individuals' frequency of use, MD, and PPU. The profiles were compared along a wide range of pornography-use-related, sexuality-related, and psychological correlates.

Results

Six pornography-use profiles were identified, including two increased risk groups (i.e., Increased risk of PPU without MD and Increased risk of PPU with some MD). Several factors differentiated between the increased risk vs. no/low risk profiles (e.g., relatedness satisfaction) as well as between the two increased risk profiles (e.g., religiosity). Apart from behavioral dysregulation, moral values concerning pornography use played an important role in distinguishing pornography-use profiles and demonstrated the importance of inquiring about MD when working with individuals with pornography-use-related problems.

Conclusion

Findings also support recent calls for better-integrated sex therapy and sexual medicine perspectives into pornography-use-related problems research and care.