Pornography use, problematic pornography use, impulsivity, and sensation seeking: a meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine 2024-09, Vol.21 (10), p.922-939
• Main Authors: Bocci Benucci, Sara, Di Gesto, Cristian, Ghinassi, Simon, Casale, Silvia, Fioravanti, Giulia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1743-6095; 1743-6109; 1743-6109
• DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae101

While some individuals engage in recreational pornography use (PU), others may develop an uncontrolled pattern of use termed problematic pornography use (PPU). PPU is characterized by persistent, excessive, or compulsive engagement with pornographic content, despite distress and adverse consequences. Impulsivity has been identified as a factor associated with PU and PPU. The present meta-analysis aims to sum up the existing research on the relationship between impulsivity and PU/PPU and investigate whether age and gender could moderate this relationship. A keyword-based systematic literature search was performed to identify articles that assessed PU/PPU and impulsivity. Extracted correlations were converted into Fisher's Z. Meta-regression analyses were also performed. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's regression intercept. Outcomes included general impulsivity and its dimensions (ie, negative and positive urgency, lack of premeditation and perseverance), sensation seeking, PU, and PPU. Meta-analytic results of the random effects model showed a significant positive correlation between impulsivity as total score and PU (n = 1504, k = 4, Fisher's Z = 0.21, P