Internet Pornography use in the Context of External and Internal Religiosity

Abstract

Past studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between religiosity and such problem behaviors as crime, delinquency, alcoholism, and substance use. Religiosity may be a protective factor against problem behaviors. Recently, a new problematic behavior has emerged, Internet pornography. Popular Christian literature has suggested that Internet pornography use is common among Christians. However, there have been few research studies examining this issue in Christian populations. This study examined the extent of Internet pornography use among 751 males and females who were attending a conservative Christian university, perceived consequences and benefits of viewing, and the relationship between internal, external and quest religiosity and Internet pornography use. Findings suggest that the majority of males had some involvement in Internet pornography, but regular viewing was significantly lower than has been found in the general population. Internal and external religiosity showed only a weak, though statistically significant, inverse relationship with regular Internet pornography use.

The Influence of Religiosity and Risk Taking on Cybersex Engagement among Postgraduate Students: A Study in Malaysian Universities

“…The result of strong negative effect of religiosity on cybersex engagement is in line with [22], [23]. The result of influence of risk taking on cybersex engagement was consistent with the study of Prause and Finn [32], and Young [33] that found risky behaviors have been positively associated with more frequent engagement in cybersex.…”

“…High believers, compared to moderate or non-believer groups, use the Internet more for the purpose of searching for information [14]. Policy-wise, there is a relationship between religious belief and advocating greater restriction on access to Internet pornography [22]. Religious individuals tend to disapprove of pornography use and support pornography censorship [23].…”

Religiosity, Developmental Context, and Sexual Shame in Pornography Users: A Serial Mediation Model

“…The negative correlation between religiosity and intentional pornography use is well documented, yet researchers have consistently found that religious pornography users are more likely to report distress and addiction than non-religious users (Abell et al, 2006;Baltazar et al, 2010;Kalichman & Rompa, 1995;Nelson et al, 2010;Reid, Harper, & Anderson, 2009;Short, Kasper, & Wetterneck, 2015;Sun, Bridges, Johnason, & Ezzell, 2014). Research implies that people of faith experience distress when their behavior does not align with their moral and religious beliefs (Exline, Pargament, Grubbs, & Yali, 2014;Exline & Rose, 2013;Grubbs, Volk, Exline, & Pargament, 2015).…”

“…The beliefs pornography users have about their use is an important factor in how that use either negatively or positively impacts them. A negative evaluation and subsequent emotional distress are often associated with the personal religiosity of the user (Abell, Steenbergh, & Boivin, 2006;Baltazar, Helm, McBride, Hopkins, & Stevens, 2010;Grubbs, Exline, Pargament, Hook, & Carlisle, 2015;Nelson, Padilla-Walker, & Carroll, 2010).…”

Unbuckling the Bible Belt: A State-level Analysis of Religious Factors and Google Searches for Porn

“…Consequently, religious groups, and most prominently conservative Protestants in the American context, strongly discourage any type of pornography, viewing it as a form of fornication that rouses and facilitates sexual desires about persons outside of marriage and encourages solo-masturbation (Driscoll, 2009;Sherkat & Ellison, 1997). It is unsurprising, then, that studies of religion's relationship to porn viewing among American adults consistently find that those who report greater religious commitment (measured in a variety of ways) or who hold theologically conservative identities and beliefs are more likely to report either not viewing pornography at all (Doran & Price, 2014;Grubbs et al, 2015;Maddox, Rhoades, & Markman, 2011;Nelson, Padilla-Walker, & Carroll, 2010;Patterson & Price, 2012;Perry, 2016b;Stack, Wasserman, & Kern., 2004;Wright, 2013;Wright, Bae, & Funk, 2013) or doing so less frequently than others (Baltazar, Helm, McBride, Hopkins, & Stevens, 2010;Bridges & Morokoff, 2011;Carroll, Padilla-Walker, Nelson, Olson, Barry, & Madsen, 2008;Hardy, Steelman, Coyne, & Ridge, 2013;Perry, 2016c;Poulsen, Busby, & Galovan, 2013;Short, Kasper, & Wetterneck, 2015). …”