Abstract
Researchers focused on the model of pornography problems due to moral incongruence (PPMI) have suggested that perceptions of addiction, stemming from a misalignment between one's moral values and online sexual behavior, may lead to heightened sexual shame. Even so, it has been suggested that the associations found in previous models of PPMI may have been inflated by the inclusion of the emotional distress subscale in the widely used Cyber Pornography Use Inventory (CPUI-9), leading many to use the abridged 4-item version (i.e., the CPUI-4), which excludes emotional distress. Prior models assessing sexual shame have yet to fully address this potential methodological limitation. Considering advances in the conceptualization of PPMI and recommendations concerning best practices, a sample of participants (N = 296) that reported using pornography in the last six months was utilized to compare findings from two moderated mediation models. The first model assessed the differential strength of effects when the subscales of the CPUI-9 were assessed as separate mediators of the associations between moral incongruence and sexual shame, while the second model examined whether such associations persisted when using the recommended CPUI-4. Model results provide further justification for previous findings, indicating that associations between constructs were not the sole result of emotional distress, which supports the utility of the CPUI-4 in models that include sexual shame. Findings provide added support for sexual shame as a unique outcome among those who, due to moral incongruence, perceive that they are addicted to Internet pornography.
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The data used in the present study are available upon request.
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The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth authors conceptualized and designed the exploratory model and contributed to the initial drafting process. Material preparation and data collection was performed by the second author, who served as the supervisor throughout. The second author also reviewed and edited the various drafts and made significant contributions to the final manuscript. The first author wrote the final draft, conceptualized the second model and associated hypotheses, conducted the analyses, and created the tables and figures. All authors contributed to the study design and final version of the article and read and approved the final manuscript.
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Floyd, C.G., Volk, F., Flory, D. et al. Sexual Shame as a Unique Distress Outcome of Morally Incongruent Pornography Use: Modifications and Methodological Considerations. Arch Sex Behav 51, 1293–1311 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02104-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02104-7