Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS)

Abstract

With the widespread availability of pornography and the inclusion of Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, under which problematic pornography use (PPU) is described, there is a need for high-quality assessment tools to measure the extent of PPU and differentiate between individuals with problematic and non-problematic pornography use. Therefore, the theory-based Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS) and its short versions (PPCS-6, PPCS-6-A) were developed. They demonstrated strong psychometric properties (e.g., measurement invariance tests) in diverse samples, including adults and adolescents, and general and treatment-seeking populations. The scales’ psychometric adequacy was further supported by the findings of cross-sectional, network analytical, longitudinal, and treatment-related studies. Preliminary evidence regarding the applicability of the PPCS and its versions in different cultures is already available, and the cross-cultural validation of the scales is currently underway in 43 countries. Future studies using robust methods (e.g., longitudinal clinical studies) would be beneficial to further corroborate the psychometric properties of the PPCS and its versions and explore the roles of moral incongruence towards pornography use in relation to PPU, given moral incongruence’s diagnostic importance. Based on all psychometric testing and scientific evidence to date, the PPCS and its short versions are valid and reliable measures of PPU that can distinguish between individuals with problematic and non-problematic pornography use and may be used in research and clinical settings as well. These scales might also be essential buildings blocks in stimulating research into scientifically-based and effective treatments for PPU, which are currently almost completely missing from the literature.

Appendix 1 Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS and PPCS-6): English Version

Please, think back to the last 6 months and indicate on the following 7-point scale how often or to what extent the statements apply to you. There is no right or wrong answer. Please indicate the answer that most applies to you.

For the purpose of this questionnaire, pornography is defined as material (e.g., text, picture, video) that (1) creates or elicits sexual feelings or thoughts and (2) contains explicit exposure or descriptions of sexual acts involving the genitals, such as vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation.

1-	2-	3-	4-	5-	6-			7-
Never	Rarely	Occasionally	Sometimes	Often	Very often			All the time
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7
1. I felt that porn is an important part of my life.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
2. I used porn to restore the tranquility of my feelings.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
3. I felt porn caused problems in my sexual life.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
4. I felt that I had to watch more and more porn for satisfaction.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
5. I unsuccessfully tried to reduce the amount of porn I watch.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
6. I became stressed when something prevented me from watching porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
7. I thought about how good it would be to watch porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
8. Watching porn got rid of my negative feelings.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
9. Watching porn prevented me from bringing out the best in me.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
10. I felt that I needed more and more porn in order to satisfy my needs.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
11. When I vowed not to watch porn anymore, I could only do it for a short period of time.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
12. I became agitated when I was unable to watch porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
13. I continually planned when to watch porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
14. I released my tension by watching porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
15. I neglected other leisure activities as a result of watching porn.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
16. I gradually watched more “extreme” porn, because the porn I watched before was less satisfying.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
17. I resisted watching porn for only a little while before I relapsed.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O
18. I missed porn greatly when I didn’t watch it for a while.					O	O	O	O	O	O	O

1. Note: Italics indicate the items of the PPCS-6
2. PPCS scoring: Add the scores of the items of each factor. For the total score add all the scores of the items. 76 points or more indicate possible problematic pornography use
3. Factors of the PPCS:
4. Salience: 1, 7, 13
5. Mood modification: 2, 8, 14
6. Conflict: 3, 9, 15
7. Tolerance: 4, 10, 16
8. Relapse: 5, 11, 17
9. Withdrawal: 6, 12, 18
10. PPCS-6 scoring: Add the scores of the items. 20 points or more indicate possible problematic pornography use
11. Cite PPCS as: Bőthe et al. (2018)
12. Cite PPCS-6 as: Bőthe et al. (2021d)