The Contribution of ADHD and Attachment Difficulties to Online Pornography Use Among Students
AUTHOR(S)
PUBLISHED
2019 in Comprehensive Psychiatry
KEY FINDINGS
- This study finds that there are significant associations between anxious attachment, being male with ADHD, and pornography consumption, showing that males with ADHD tend to consume more pornography and tent to have less secure attachments.
ABSTRACT
Background: There is a high rate of ADHD among individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). There is also evidence for an association between compulsive sexual behavior disorder, sensation seeking and attachment difficulties. Problematic pornography use may be considered as a subtype of CSBD hence it merits investigation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between ADHD, attachment style, sensation seeking and problematic use of pornography online in the general population.... READ FULL ABSTRACT
EXCERPTS
- "This study showed that participants with ADHD had scored higher on measures of quality of problematic pornography use and avoidant attachment than participants without ADHD. Furthermore, anxious attachment contributed to ratings of online pornography thus confirming that anxiety is associated with excessive use of pornography."
- "This study has shown that participants with ADHD had scored higher on measures of cyber pornography use and avoidant attachment than participants without ADHD. Furthermore, the variables of being male with ADHD and anxious attachment have been significantly associated with online pornography. Males with ADHD who have difficulties in close relationship may use online pornography excessively that in turn may exacerbate their difficulty in forming secure attachment, a finding that has major clinical implications. Individuals with problematic pornography use should also be screened for ADHD in the diagnostic process."
