Violent Pornography Linked to Poorer Sexual Health
A study of young adults in Spain finds watching violent online pornography is associated with lower empathy, reduced sexual assertiveness, and greater
Young adults who watch violent online pornography report worse sexual well-being, lower empathy, and greater acceptance of violence against women than those who watch nonviolent content. These are the findings of a new study published in Behavioral Sciences by public health researcher Belén Sanz-Barbero and colleagues from Spain's National School of Public Health.
The research investigated how specific types of explicit media relate to sexual health, which the World Health Organization defines as a broad state of physical, emotional, and social well-being. The study focused on two key psychosocial skills for healthy relationships: empathy and sexual assertiveness. Sexual assertiveness is a person's ability to communicate desires, initiate wanted encounters, and refuse unwanted activity.
Study Design and Methods
The researchers conducted an online survey of 3,607 Spanish adults aged 18 to 35. For the primary analysis, they focused on a subgroup of 1,985 sexually active individuals who had watched pornography in the past year. This group consisted of 1,249 men and 736 women. Participants answered detailed questionnaires about their viewing habits and sexual experiences. To reduce social desirability bias, the survey used subtle descriptions of sexual scenarios instead of extreme labels.
Participants were categorized based on the most extreme type of pornography they regularly consumed. The three categories were nonviolent content, degrading content without physical violence, and content featuring physical violence.
Key Findings on Attitudes and Empathy
The consumption of violent pornography was widespread. Over 63% of men and nearly 51% of women reported watching pornography containing physical violence. Men who watched physically violent videos scored lower on measures of empathy and sexual assertiveness compared to men who watched nonviolent pornography. Both men and women who watched physically violent content showed higher acceptance of violence against women. Men who watched degrading content also demonstrated this increased acceptance.
Impacts on Sexual Function and Satisfaction
The research revealed distinct differences in physical sexual function and satisfaction between genders. Men who watched physically violent content were more likely to report enjoying and having fun during sex than those watching nonviolent videos. However, these same men were also more likely to report feeling discomfort during real-world encounters. They experienced greater difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and were much more likely to use sexual enhancement drugs.
The researchers proposed that unrealistic sexual fantasies from violent pornography might cause distress or moral incongruence when unfulfilled in real life, potentially interfering with physical function. For women, watching physically violent pornography was linked to a higher likelihood of struggling to reach orgasm with a partner, though not when alone. The study suggested unrealistic media expectations might hinder communication and satisfaction with real partners.
The survey also tracked recent diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Individuals who watched violent pornography reported higher rates of recent STIs like gonorrhea, HPV, and chlamydia. However, these differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for other demographic factors.
Study Limitations and Future Research
Because this was a single-point survey, it cannot prove that watching violent pornography causes these outcomes. The relationship might be reversed; individuals with pre-existing low empathy or sexual dysfunction might seek out more extreme material. The study also relied on self-reported data, which can be unreliable even with adjustments. The sample focused on sexually active individuals, which may limit broader application.
Future longitudinal studies are needed to determine if exposure directly alters psychosocial development. The authors suggest public health interventions for young adults could focus on building communication skills and critical thinking about the sexual scripts modeled in digital media. The study was authored by Belén Sanz-Barbero, Vanesa Pérez-Martínez, Ana Rico, Laura Otero-García, Marta Fernández-López, Ariadna Cerdán-Torregrosa, and Carmen Vives-Cases.
