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Emotional Dysregulation and Coping Strategies in the Context of Problematic Pornography Use: A Narrative Review

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Abstract

Purpose of review

Pornography may be used by individuals to regulate unpleasant emotional states or to cope with stressful life events. Although this may provide immediate relief, difficulties in emotion regulation and dysfunctional coping strategies could constitute potential risk factors for the development of problematic pornography use (PPU). This study aims to review the literature addressing emotion regulation in the context of pornography use and PPU. The current knowledge is summarized by reviewing studies on three levels: 1) assessing motivations for pornography use related to emotion regulation/coping, 2) linking emotion dysregulation/dysfunctional coping to PPU, and 3) treatments for PPU incorporating elements of emotion regulation/coping.

Recent findings

While various instruments have been devised for evaluating the motivations behind pornography consumption, encompassing emotional aspects, the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (PUMS) stands out as the most comprehensive measure to date. Using the PUMS in diverse populations is encouraged to further our understanding of the emotional motivators of porn use in diverse settings. Motivations to use pornography for emotion regulation purposes have been linked with PPU. Other studies have suggested an association between emotion dysregulation, dysfunctional coping strategies, and PPU. Treatment studies indicate that effective interventions for PPU include strategies for regulating emotions and developing adaptive coping mechanisms.

Summary

In conclusion, PPU is associated with emotional avoidance motives for pornography use, emotion regulation difficulties, and dysfunctional stress coping. However, the current literature is limited, and longitudinal studies in clinical samples are needed to assess the effectiveness of treatments that include elements of emotion regulation and stress management.

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Funding

This research was financed by the ITEI (B23-010) and by the UNIR 2023/2024 Call for Proposals for Grants for the translation of scientific articles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigación, Transferencia e Innovación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, La Rioja, Spain

    Giulia Testa, Alejandro Villena-Moya & Carlos Chiclana-Actis

  2. Unidad de Sexología y Salud Sexual. Consulta Dr. Carlos Chiclana, Madrid, Spain

    Alejandro Villena-Moya & Carlos Chiclana-Actis

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  1. Giulia Testa
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G.T. conceived the review and drafted the main text of the manuscript. C.CA and A.VM contributed to the literature search, preparation of tables, and preparation of the final manuscript. All authors revised the final version of the article.

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Correspondence to Giulia Testa.

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The Section Editors for the topical collection Sex Addiction are Giulia Testa and Gemma Mestre-Bach. Please note that Section Editor, Giulia Testa was not involved in the editorial process of this article as she is a co-author.

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Testa, G., Villena-Moya, A. & Chiclana-Actis, C. Emotional Dysregulation and Coping Strategies in the Context of Problematic Pornography Use: A Narrative Review. Curr Addict Rep 11, 229–241 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-024-00548-0

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