Motivations for Pornography Use among Community Members endorsing Pedophilic Interests compared to other Paraphilic Interests

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Introduction: Pornography use is increasingly prevalent, with around 60% of men and 35% of women engaging annually (Esplin et al., 2021). While attention to the motivations for pornography use among individuals with pedophilic and other paraphilic disorders are growing (Stefanska et al., 2022; Knack et al., 2020), little research compares motivations for pornography between individuals with pedophilic vs. other paraphilic interests, which has specific implications for prevention of viewing of child exploitation material.

Methods: Using the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (Bothe et al., 2020) we assessed motivations across eight factors in individuals with pedophilic interests versus other paraphilias (voyeurism; exhibitionism; coercion; frotteurism; non-consensual sex; risky sex) in a US community sample (n=2055; Bothe et al., 2021)

Results: Independent t-tests revealed individuals with pedophilic (vs. other paraphilic) interests showed significantly higher use of pornography for emotional distraction (t =-3.73; p<.01), stress reduction (t =-3.19; p<.01), boredom avoidance (t=-2.25, p=.01), and sexual pleasure (t=-2.68, p>.01), as well as lower use of pornography for sexual curiosity (t=2.84, p<.01).

Discussion: Interventions for individuals with pedophilic interests may benefit from focusing on use of pornography for negative reinforcement versus sexual curiosity or lack of sexual satisfaction.

Authors

• Stephanie Mignogna, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Taylor McCafferty, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Melissa Slavin, Fairleigh Dickinson University

• Shane Kraus, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Lena M. Nagy, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University

• Monika Koós, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University

• Marc Potenza, Yale School of Medicine

• Zslot Demetrovics, University of Gibraltar

• Beáta Bothe, University of Montreal