Why do people watch pornography? The role of schema modes in problematic pornography use
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12978491 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cláudio Haupt Vieira (0009-0002-3561-8479, Nottingham Trent University, corresponding author), Claudio Vieira (Nottingham Trent University), Daria J Ku (0000-0001-8917-782X, Nottingham Trent University), Daria J Kuss (Nottingham Trent University), Mark D Griffiths (0000-0001-8880-6524, Nottingham Trent University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-24 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-03 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychology and Sexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1941-9902 • E-ISSN: 1941-9899 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/19419899.2026.2635458 |
| OpenAlex | W7133701848 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 49 |
Problematic pornography use (PPU) has been the object of attention from clinicians and researchers due to its impact on relationships, mental health, and sexual satisfaction. More recent research has examined potential motivational factors underpinning online pornography use. However, no prior studies have investigated the role of schema modes in the motivation to watch pornography. The present study assessed the predictive ability of schema modes in online pornography use and investigated the difference between problematic and non-problematic pornography users. The study also examined the association between schema modes and the eight components of the Pornography Use Motivations Scale. A sample of 966 adults completed the Schema Mode Inventory, the Pornography Use Motivations Scale, and the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale . The findings indicated that problematic pornography users scored higher than non-problematic pornography users across all schema modes, except the Happy Child and Healthy Adult modes. In addition, the findings indicated that schema modes explained approximately 41% of the variance in PPU across all participants. The Impulsive Child and Detached Self-Soother modes alone accounted for 37% of the variance in PPU. This study provides additional insights into the motivational factors underlying PPU, which can inform the development of formulations, clinical interventions, and policymaking
Perception · Poison control · Pornography · Schema (genetic algorithms · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
High-Frequency Pornography Use May Not Always Be Problematic
Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?
Why do people watch pornography? The motivational basis of pornography use.
Multicollinearity and misleading statistical results
Pornography Addiction in Adults
Prevalence of the Addictions
A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework
Personality, Attachment, and Pornography
Sexual Shame as a Unique Distress Outcome of Morally Incongruent Pornography Use
A Meta-Analysis of Pornography Consumption and Actual Acts of Sexual Aggression in General Population Studies
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Problematic Pornography Use
Motivational Pathways Diverge Between Frequent and Problematic Pornography Use
Self-Assessed Effects of Pornography Use on Personal Sex Life
Early Maladaptive Schemas and Online Pornography Use
The relationship between schema modes and problematic pornography use in youth
Hidden in shame
The Development of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS)
The Associations of Pornography Use and Body Image Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Men
Why Do People Watch Pornography? Cross-Cultural Validation of the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (Pums) and Its Short Form (Pums-8)
A biosocial developmental model of borderline personality
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |