Self-Perceived Effects of Pornography Consumption in a Sample of Indonesian University Students

Abstract

Self-perceived effects of pornography consumption were studied in a sample of university students in Indonesia-a conservative, Muslim majority country with strict anti-pornography laws. Using a cross-sectional design and a modified version of the Pornography Consumption Effect Scale (PCES), we assessed participants' reports of how pornography affected their sexual knowledge, attitude toward sex, sex life, perception of and attitude toward the opposite gender, and life in general. The area of attitude toward sex excepted, the study found that both men and women reported significantly larger positive than negative effects. Further, as compared to women, men reported significantly larger negative effects of their pornography consumption. For both genders, pornography-related variables were found to add significantly to the prediction of both positive and negative self-perceived effects of pornography consumption over and above a number of included control variables.Relative to adverse effects, potential positive effects of pornography consumption remain greatly understudied (Diamond, 2009;Doring, 2009;McKee, 2007aMcKee, , 2007b. Further, effects of pornography consumption have been studied almost exclusively using Western background samples and without direct reference to the consumers' own self-perceived experiences of suchThe findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Surabaya.

Pornography Consumption and Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

“…First, as indicated previously, after finding in their experiment that pornography exposure reduced participants' satisfaction with partners across a variety of domains, Zillmann and Bryant (1988) speculated that consumers' upward comparisons may center on their partners, not on themselves. Third, and consistent with the positions of Traeen et al and Kvalem et al, when asked directly about pornography's effects on them, many consumers report positive results in areas such as learning new sexual techniques, discovering new sexual desires, and experimenting with new sexual behaviors; they also deny negative effects such as increased performance anxiety (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Hald et al, 2013;Mulya & Hald, 2014). Third, and consistent with the positions of Traeen et al and Kvalem et al, when asked directly about pornography's effects on them, many consumers report positive results in areas such as learning new sexual techniques, discovering new sexual desires, and experimenting with new sexual behaviors; they also deny negative effects such as increased performance anxiety (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Hald et al, 2013;Mulya & Hald, 2014).…”

“…First, contrary to the statements of consumers when asked directly about how pornography has positively impacted them (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Mulya & Hald, 2014), it seems unlikely that an increase in the frequency and intensity of consumption would, on the average, lead to a corresponding increase in satisfaction with oneself or one's sexual or romantic relationships. First, contrary to the statements of consumers when asked directly about how pornography has positively impacted them (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Mulya & Hald, 2014), it seems unlikely that an increase in the frequency and intensity of consumption would, on the average, lead to a corresponding increase in satisfaction with oneself or one's sexual or romantic relationships.…”

“…Pornography consumers are significantly more likely to perceive positive than negative effects on their sex life, for example, and disagree with the notion that pornography has adversely impacted their relationships (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Mulya & Hald, 2014). Pornography consumers are significantly more likely to perceive positive than negative effects on their sex life, for example, and disagree with the notion that pornography has adversely impacted their relationships (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Mulya & Hald, 2014).…”

“…For example, in a series of studies, Hald and colleagues (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Hald, Smolenski, & Rosser, 2013;Mulya & Hald, 2014) found that when queried about how pornography has impacted them, consumers report that their use has increased their satisfaction with their sexual knowledge, outlook, efficacy, skill, relations, experiences, and even their life in general. People who consume pornography more frequently and for longer durations are especially likely to perceive such positive impacts (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;Mulya & Hald, 2014). One interpretive option for such results is to take them at face value and conclude that pornography has predominantly positive effects on consumers and more regular and intense consumption only enhance these positive effects.…”

Sexually explicit media use and relationship satisfaction: a moderating role of emotional intimacy?

“…In contrast to these findings, several authors and studies suggest that SEM use may (also) be positively associated with outcomes related to increased relationship satisfaction. These include a better self-perceived sex life and sexual knowledge (Hald & Malamuth, 2008;McKee, 2007;Mulya & Hald, 2014), reduced sexual anxiety and increased sexual esteem (Morrison, Harriman, Morrison, Bearden, & Ellis, 2004).The use of SEM in educational, clinical and medical settings (e.g. Robinson, Manthei, Scheltema, Rich, & Koznar, 1999;Watson & Smith, 2012) have also indicated that SEM consumption may be associated with increased sexual desire, sexual self-acknowledgement, sexual inspiration and reduced shame and guilt related to sexuality, thus contributing to an enhancement of communication about sexuality (Hald, Seaman, & Linz, 2014).…”