Pornography Consumption, Perceptions of Pornography as Sexual Information, and Condom Use

J Sex Marital Ther. 2018;44(8):800-805. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2018.1462278. Epub 2018 May 22.

Abstract

Pornography use is becoming more commonplace and may be a modality by which individuals receive sex education. This survey study assessed pornography consumption, perceptions of pornography as a source of sexual information, and condom use in a heterosexual sample of 200 sexually active German adults who were not in monogamous relationships. At the bivariate, overall sample level, there was only a modest association between consuming pornography and a decreased frequency of condom use. However, consistent with the sexual script acquisition, activation, application model (3AM) of sexual media socialization, this association was moderated by differential perceptions of pornography as a source of sexual information. Interaction decomposition revealed that there was no association between pornography consumption and condom use among participants who disagreed that pornography is a source of sexual information. Conversely, pornography consumption was associated with a lower frequency of condom use among participants who agreed that pornography is a source of sexual information. As the perception that pornography is a source of sexual information strengthened, the relationship between pornography consumption and less frequent condom use increased. Gender did not moderate these associations. These findings point toward the importance of fostering a critical reading of pornography through media literacy education.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Erotica / psychology*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Libido
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Education
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*