Pornography Use and Associated Factors in Adolescents: A Cross-Jurisdictional Approach (Spain vs. Mexico)

Abstract

Pornography use is common among adolescents. However, there has been limited in-depth examination of cross-country differences in adolescent pornography use. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to understand cross-jurisdictional differences in problematic pornography use (PPU) in 1810 adolescents from Spain and Mexico. The relationship between sociodemographic variables, loneliness, sexual risk behaviors, and religiosity with PPU and cross-jurisdictional differences between the two Spanish-speaking populations was assessed. In the Spanish sample, pornography use was a mediator of risky sexual behaviors, with this association being greater in males, older individuals, and those with a non-heterosexual orientation. In the Mexican sample, non-use of condoms was directly statistically predicted by older age, poor familial relationships, low religiosity, and more frequent pornography use. Jurisdictional differences in relationships between variables were observed in the two samples (Spanish and Mexican). Clinical implications and potential sociocultural factors that may underlie observed differences in the two Spanish-speaking cultures are considered and warrant additional investigation.