open access

Vol 18 (2020): Continuous Publishing
Research paper
Published online: 2020-10-28
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Personality, self-esteem, body evaluation, relationship satisfaction and consumption of pornography by women aged 18–30

Maja Kwiatkowska, Agnieszka Skorupa1
DOI: 10.5603/SP.2020.0004
·
Seksuologia Polska 2020;18.
Affiliations
  1. Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach

open access

Vol 18 (2020): Continuous Publishing
Original papers
Published online: 2020-10-28

Abstract

Introduction: The consumption of pornography, which is usually considered a male activity, is now also
becoming more and more popular among women. This phenomenon raises the question about the psychological
characteristics of women using pornographic content. In the study, personality traits, level of
self-esteem, assessment of body and satisfaction with the relationship were analyzed in relation to the
opinion on pornography and the frequency of using it by women.

Material and methods: In the study took part 114 women aged 18–30 staying in heterosexual relationships.
The study was conducted via the Lime Survey software. The following tools were used: Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), International Personality Item Pool-Big Five Markers-50, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Body Esteem
Scale (BES) and own survey.

Results: 46% of respondents declared that they use online pornography. Statistically significant differences between
women using and not using online pornography were observed in terms of emotional stability and opinions on
pornography. Positive correlations between explored variables and beliefs about pornography were also proven.

Conclusions: The issue of the consumption of online pornography by women is definitely worth further
exploration. On the one hand, there are more and more Polish users of pornographic portals and it is worth
knowing not only the risk associated with it, but also the potential constructive impact on the users. On the
other hand, a majority of the results obtained in the study indicate a positive perception of pornography
by woman, and its correlation with constructive psychological traits. It is an additional voice in the overall
discussion on the impact of pornography on its users.

Abstract

Introduction: The consumption of pornography, which is usually considered a male activity, is now also
becoming more and more popular among women. This phenomenon raises the question about the psychological
characteristics of women using pornographic content. In the study, personality traits, level of
self-esteem, assessment of body and satisfaction with the relationship were analyzed in relation to the
opinion on pornography and the frequency of using it by women.

Material and methods: In the study took part 114 women aged 18–30 staying in heterosexual relationships.
The study was conducted via the Lime Survey software. The following tools were used: Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), International Personality Item Pool-Big Five Markers-50, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Body Esteem
Scale (BES) and own survey.

Results: 46% of respondents declared that they use online pornography. Statistically significant differences between
women using and not using online pornography were observed in terms of emotional stability and opinions on
pornography. Positive correlations between explored variables and beliefs about pornography were also proven.

Conclusions: The issue of the consumption of online pornography by women is definitely worth further
exploration. On the one hand, there are more and more Polish users of pornographic portals and it is worth
knowing not only the risk associated with it, but also the potential constructive impact on the users. On the
other hand, a majority of the results obtained in the study indicate a positive perception of pornography
by woman, and its correlation with constructive psychological traits. It is an additional voice in the overall
discussion on the impact of pornography on its users.

Get Citation

Keywords

pornography, self-esteem and body assessment, relationship satisfaction, personality

About this article
Title

Personality, self-esteem, body evaluation, relationship satisfaction and consumption of pornography by women aged 18–30

Journal

Journal of Sexual and Mental Health

Issue

Vol 18 (2020): Continuous Publishing

Article type

Research paper

Published online

2020-10-28

Page views

1477

Article views/downloads

78

DOI

10.5603/SP.2020.0004

Bibliographic record

Seksuologia Polska 2020;18.

Keywords

pornography
self-esteem and body assessment
relationship satisfaction
personality

Authors

Maja Kwiatkowska
Agnieszka Skorupa

References (21)
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