Decades of studies from respected academic institutions, have demonstrated significant impacts of porn consumption for individuals, relationships, and society. "What’s the Research" aims to shed light on the expanding field of academic resources that showcase porn’s harms in a variety of ways. Below are selected excerpts from published studies on this issue.
The full study can be accessed here.
Does Viewing Pornography Reduce Marital Quality Over Time? Evidence from Longitudinal Data
Authors: Perry, S.L.
Published July 2016
Published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, , Volume 46, Issue 2, pp 549–559
Abstract
Numerous studies have examined the connection between pornography viewing and marital quality, with findings most often revealing a negative association. Data limitations, however, have precluded establishing directionality with a representative sample. This study is the first to draw on nationally representative, longitudinal data (2006–2012 Portraits of American Life Study) to test whether more frequent pornography use influences marital quality later on and whether this effect is moderated by gender.
Methods
Data for this study were drawn from two waves of the Portraits of American Life Study (PALS), which was fielded in 2006 and 2012 (Emerson & Sikkink, 2006–2012). For Wave 1, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2,610 participants in their homes, from April to October 2006. The second wave was conducted from March to September 2012, with 1,314 participants successfully re-interviewed. After accounting for participants from 2006 who died or where mentally incapacitated, the Wave 2 response rate is 53 %.
The outcome for this study was a measure of marital quality made from the sum of two questions asked in both 2012 and 2006. Participants were asked, “All things considered, how would you consider your marriage relationship?” The focal independent variable for this study was how frequently participants viewed pornographic materials in Wave 1. To measure this variable, participants were asked, “In the past twelve months, how often have you viewed pornographic materials?”
Results
In general, married persons who more frequently viewed pornography in 2006 reported significantly lower levels of marital quality in 2012, net of controls for earlier marital quality and relevant correlates. Pornography’s effect was not simply a proxy for dissatisfaction with sex life or marital decision-making in 2006. In terms of substantive influence, frequency of pornography use in 2006 was the second strongest predictor of marital quality in 2012. Interaction effects revealed, however, that the negative effect of porn use on marital quality applied to husbands, but not wives.