Internet pornography exposure and risky sexual behavior among adult males in the United States

Paul J. Wright, Ashley Randall

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    83 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a threat to the public health in the United States. Many sexual behaviors increase an individual's risk of STI contraction. Chief among these are having unprotected sex, having sex with multiple partners, and either paying for sex or having sex for pay. The present study used General Social Survey (GSS) data from 2000, 2002, and 2004 to explore the association between exposure to internet pornography and these STI risk behaviors among adult US males. After controlling for demographic and individual difference covariates, internet pornography consumption was positively associated with having sex with multiple partners, engaging in paid sex, and having had extramarital sex. Internet pornography consumption was unrelated to having unprotected sex. Subsequent GSSs have not asked participants about exposure to internet pornography. As the GSS is the only ongoing, full-probability, national survey assessing social beliefs and behaviors, the present report provides unique insight into the risky sexual behavior patterns of adult male internet pornography consumers in the United States.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1410-1416
    Number of pages7
    JournalComputers in Human Behavior
    Volume28
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 2012

    Keywords

    • Condoms
    • Internet pornography
    • Risky sexual behavior
    • Sexual health
    • Sexually explicit media
    • Sexually transmitted infections

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
    • Human-Computer Interaction
    • General Psychology

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