The Role of Scrupulosity, Experiential Avoidance, and the Dark Tetrad in Problematic Pornography Use

Abstract

Previous work regarding Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) has been limited due to scales with weak statistical constructions, few female participants, reliance on an English-language-only sample, and/or the omission of potentially important co-variates. We tested the inter-relationships between adults’ PPU, scrupulosity, six subdimensions of experiential avoidance (EA), and Dark Tetrad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, subclinical sadism). Previous research, to our knowledge, has not yet considered subclinical sadism in this context. An online survey was completed by 672 volunteers (M Age=26.14 years, SD Age=8.33) in either the English or Spanish language. Reliable measures were used to evaluate co-variates. Analyses determined that total and sub-dimensional PPU was predicted by scrupulosity. Furthermore, PPU was predicted by certain sub-dimensions of EA (Behavioral Avoidance, Distress Aversion). Mediation analysis suggested four sub-dimensions of EA (Distress Aversion, Procrastination, Distraction/Suppression, and Repression/Denial) as mediators in the relationship between scrupulosity and PPU. Our research builds upon limited literature examining the impact of aversive personality traits on PPU. Our finding that PPU is positively predicted by vicarious sadism has implications for identification of at-risk individuals and can inform the development of interventions to mitigate PPU.