Clinical Encounters with Internet Pornography

Abstract

Pornography, if understood to involve the depiction of sexual activity, organs, and experiences, is perhaps as old as human civilization itself. Historically linked to various technological innovations, pornography viewing in the Internet age has reached epic proportions, with large numbers of individuals taking advantage of ease of access, affordability, and presumed anonymity to explore sexual material online. Within the mental health professions substantial research exists on the effects of viewing general pornography; however, the distinctive effects of the marriage of pornography and cyberspace is only beginning to be examined. In addition to reviewing some historical and statistical material about pornography and the relevant psychiatric and psychoanalytic literature, four detailed clinical vignettes are presented to illustrate the types of problems related to Internet pornography use that are being presented to practicing psychotherapists.

Self-identification as a pornography addict: examining the roles of pornography use, religiousness, and moral incongruence

“…Given such popularity in the general public, it is unsurprising that problematic IPU is also commonly encountered in clinical practice (Crosby & Twohig, 2016;Kalman, 2008;Mitchell, Becker-Blease, & 1 Of note, prior literature has often been varied in how it frames or describes individuals' self-reports of problems associated with IPU. Prior works by the present author have variously used the terms "perceived addiction to internet pornography" and "pornography problems due to moral incongruence" (Grubbs, Perry, Wilt, & Reid, 2018;Grubbs, Volk, Exline, & Pargament, 2015).…”

Sexual Compulsivity, the Internet, and Sexual Behaviors Among Men in a Rural Area of the United States

“…Research examining rural MSM's use of the Internet for finding sexual partners has documented that heightened social conservatism, homophobia, and heteronormative values increase the likelihood of this population using the Internet to find sexual partners, a greater degree of internalized homophobia, as well as higher rates of sexual activities that may lead to STI or HIV infection. [48][49][50] Studies assessing relations between the Internet and sexual compulsivity have focused primarily on issues such as viewing pornography, 51,52 time spent online on sexually related websites, 53 online relationships, 54 and online infidelity. 54 However, while the Internet as a venue for sexual partner seeking among MSM has been established, 35,[56][57][58][59] few studies have examined relations between sexual compulsivity and using the Internet for finding sexual partners, as well as the subsequent sexual behaviors of men who meet partners online.…”

Associations of Perceived Addiction to Internet Pornography with Religious/Spiritual and Psychological Functioning

“…Although this new disorder was not included in the DSM-5 due to insufficient knowledge and understanding, researchers reported that most manifestations of problematic sexual behavior include pornography consumption and masturbation at some point Reid, Carpenter, & Lloyd, 2009). Additionally, difficulties with pornography use and managing urges to use are commonly reported in clinical settings (Hook, Hook, Davis, Worthington, & Penberthy, 2010;Kalman, 2008;Mitchell, Becker-Blease, & Finkelhor, 2005;Mitchell & Wells, 2007;Reid, Cooper, Prause, Li, & Fong, 2012;Young, 2008) and can have detrimental effects on an individual's relationships, career, legal status, and emotional well-being (Reid et al, 2009;Reid & Woolley, 2007;Yoder, Virden, & Amin, 2005).…”