Self-reported addiction to pornography in a nationally representative sample: The roles of use habits, religiousness, and moral incongruence
- Authors
- Grubbs, J. B., Kraus, S. W., & Perry, S. L.
- Year
- 2019
- Journal
- Journal of Behavioral Addictions
- Type
- Cross-sectional study
- Population
- Nationally representative sample of US internet users
- Method
- Cross-sectional survey
- Last verified
- 2026-10-04
Main question
Who self-identifies as "addicted" to pornography in the general population, and why?
Related claims
Summary
Using a nationally representative sample of US adults, Grubbs, Kraus, and Perry (2019) examined who reports feeling “addicted” to pornography and what predicts that feeling.
Key findings
Religiousness and moral disapproval were stronger predictors of self-reported addiction than the amount of pornography a person actually used. This supports the moral incongruence account: people are more likely to feel “addicted” when their use conflicts with their values.
Why it matters
This study is frequently cited in the behavioural addiction debate because it suggests that self-identification as “addicted” is not a simple reflection of heavy use. It informs how we read community claims about PPU.
Findings
- In a nationally representative US sample, a minority of adults reported feeling 'addicted' to pornography.
- Religiousness and moral disapproval of pornography use predicted self-reported addiction more strongly than the actual frequency of use.
- Moral incongruence — not use frequency alone — was the strongest correlate of self-perceived addiction.
What this study can support
Indicates self-reported addiction may reflect moral conflict rather than heavy use.
What it cannot establish
Causal conclusions beyond the study design; generalizations to populations, behaviors, or contexts outside the sample; and any claim not directly measured.
Limitations
- Cross-sectional design; cannot establish causation or direction of effects.
- Self-report measures of both use and perceived addiction.
- verification needed (DOI/PMID not recorded)
Clinical relevance
Indicates self-reported addiction may reflect moral conflict rather than heavy use.
Relevance to problematic pornography use
Shows self-perceived problems track moral incongruence more than frequency.