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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryWhat is the Real Link Between Pornography and Depression?
Table of Contents:OverviewCan Viewing Pornography Cause Depression?Do People Who Are Depressed View More Pornography?Who Tends to Use Pornography?What Are the Signs of Problematic Porn Usage?What If You Are Worried About a Porn Addiction?Where to Seek Support if You Are Worried About Your Pornography Use and Depression
DepressionRead Time: 6 Minutes
Published On: April 24, 2022
Reviewed On: April 24, 2022
Updated On: October 27, 2023
OverviewUpdated on 3/24/2022It’s often thought that pornography use causesdepression, but studies thus far have not found any conclusive evidence suggesting that pornography and depression relate.While viewing pornography may not trigger depression, it could still impact you in other ways.Everyone’s pornography usage differs, depending on your individual personality and own perceptions of pornography. For example, some may be able to enjoy occasional pornography consumption, while others may quickly fall into a cycle of addiction behavior. Those who feel a sense of shame or guilt after viewing pornography may face added stress and mental health struggles.Let’s dive into what the research says about the real link between pornography and depression.
Overview
Updated on 3/24/2022
It’s often thought that pornography use causesdepression, but studies thus far have not found any conclusive evidence suggesting that pornography and depression relate.
While viewing pornography may not trigger depression, it could still impact you in other ways.
Everyone’s pornography usage differs, depending on your individual personality and own perceptions of pornography. For example, some may be able to enjoy occasional pornography consumption, while others may quickly fall into a cycle of addiction behavior. Those who feel a sense of shame or guilt after viewing pornography may face added stress and mental health struggles.
Let’s dive into what the research says about the real link between pornography and depression.
Can Viewing Pornography Cause Depression?
The short answer is no, there is no research that indicates pornography consumption causes or triggers depression.
Loneliness, on the other hand, may be a more pressing concern. One study,published in 2007 in theJournal of Sexual Addiction and Cumpulsivity,found that of the 400 people who filled out a questionnaire, those who watched internet pornography more often were more likely to feel lonely.
Depression may also be a greater concern if someone is feeling guilty, upset, or distressed in any way while watching pornography. For example, a2018 studywith a sample size of 1,638 participants found that individual differences between perception and use of pornography were significantly related to depression. In other words, it’s not the act of watching pornography that contributes to depressive symptoms but someone’s own reaction to the activity.
Do People Who Are Depressed View More Pornography?While it’s difficult to say for sure if people who are depressed are viewing porn more, it appears that people show more depressive symptoms when using pornographyifthey believe pornography is morally wrong. Results from astudy published in 2017suggest that someone who uses pornography and believes it’s morally wrong may suffer from overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and negative emotion which contribute to an overall state of emotional turmoil or depression.The researchers found that, for those who do not morally reject porn, only those viewing pornography most frequently were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. These findings suggest there is some merit to the idea that people, specifically cis men, who are depressed view more pornography as a coping mechanism, especially when they do not view it as immoral.
Do People Who Are Depressed View More Pornography?
While it’s difficult to say for sure if people who are depressed are viewing porn more, it appears that people show more depressive symptoms when using pornographyifthey believe pornography is morally wrong. Results from astudy published in 2017suggest that someone who uses pornography and believes it’s morally wrong may suffer from overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and negative emotion which contribute to an overall state of emotional turmoil or depression.
The researchers found that, for those who do not morally reject porn, only those viewing pornography most frequently were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. These findings suggest there is some merit to the idea that people, specifically cis men, who are depressed view more pornography as a coping mechanism, especially when they do not view it as immoral.
Who Tends to Use Pornography?This may (or may not) come as a surprise but pornography use is widespread among adults, withsome studiesshowing 70–90% of people viewing pornography in their lifetime. Among those who have used pornography, most of them have not experienced any negative consequences.Based on Bőthe’s study, published this past April in theJournal of Sexual Medicine, there are three distinct profiles of pornography users:People who consume pornography infrequently (68-73%)People who are frequent users of pornography without incident (19-29%)People who are frequent users of pornography and it has become a problem (3-8%)It’s important to note that the amount of people with problematic pornography use are relatively low compared to the general population who view pornography.Perhaps most alarming, however, is the number of children being exposed to porn. Astudy in the journalPediatricsestimates that about 42% of children and young people between the ages of 10 and 17 have seen pornography online, with 27% reporting seeing porn intentionally. Seeing porn at such a young age can have lasting implications on how you think sex should look and feel, as well as perceptions ofbody image, and power dynamics.
Who Tends to Use Pornography?
This may (or may not) come as a surprise but pornography use is widespread among adults, withsome studiesshowing 70–90% of people viewing pornography in their lifetime. Among those who have used pornography, most of them have not experienced any negative consequences.
Based on Bőthe’s study, published this past April in theJournal of Sexual Medicine, there are three distinct profiles of pornography users:
It’s important to note that the amount of people with problematic pornography use are relatively low compared to the general population who view pornography.
Perhaps most alarming, however, is the number of children being exposed to porn. Astudy in the journalPediatricsestimates that about 42% of children and young people between the ages of 10 and 17 have seen pornography online, with 27% reporting seeing porn intentionally. Seeing porn at such a young age can have lasting implications on how you think sex should look and feel, as well as perceptions ofbody image, and power dynamics.
What Are the Signs of Problematic Porn Usage?While everyone’s experience with pornography will vary, here are a few signs that are common for people whose frequent use of pornographic sites is sustained and problematic:Higher levels of hypersexualityDepressive symptomsSensitivity to boredomFeelings of discomfort about pornographyLower levels of self-esteemLess satisfaction of their psychological needs related to social belonging, sense of competency and overall autonomyInsecurities aroundbody imageRelationship strain
What Are the Signs of Problematic Porn Usage?
While everyone’s experience with pornography will vary, here are a few signs that are common for people whose frequent use of pornographic sites is sustained and problematic:
What If You Are Worried About a Porn Addiction?According to scholars, it’s thefeelingof beingaddicted to porn— the sense of not being in control — that causes many people to feel depressed about using pornography.One2015 study inArchives of Sexual Behaviorexamined the role that religious belief and moral disapproval of pornography use play in the experience of perceived addiction to internet pornography. The results from two studies with undergraduate samples indicate that religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography significantly predicted perceived addiction to internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers.Put simply, if you start to notice you are viewing porn out of a psychological craving instead of the occasional enjoyment, it might be time to seek out professional help. It may also be time to seek out professional help if your or your partner’s porn usage is interfering in your relationship or keeping you from real intimacy.
What If You Are Worried About a Porn Addiction?
According to scholars, it’s thefeelingof beingaddicted to porn— the sense of not being in control — that causes many people to feel depressed about using pornography.
One2015 study inArchives of Sexual Behaviorexamined the role that religious belief and moral disapproval of pornography use play in the experience of perceived addiction to internet pornography. The results from two studies with undergraduate samples indicate that religiosity and moral disapproval of pornography significantly predicted perceived addiction to internet pornography while being unrelated to actual levels of use among pornography consumers.
Put simply, if you start to notice you are viewing porn out of a psychological craving instead of the occasional enjoyment, it might be time to seek out professional help. It may also be time to seek out professional help if your or your partner’s porn usage is interfering in your relationship or keeping you from real intimacy.
Expert Insight
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R), BC-TMHJill Daino
Where to Seek Support if You Are Worried About Your Pornography Use and DepressionThere are a lot of great options if you are looking for support to address your dependence upon pornography or to determine if your porn use is connected to feelings of depression, including:In-person therapyOnline and text-based therapyLocal sexual health support groupsOnline support groups focusing on sex compulsions or out of control sexual behaviorsBased on the research and lack of evidence showing any direct link between pornography as the cause or trigger of depression, it seems this remains a myth spread to discourage the use of pornography because it’s viewed as bad or immoral. It could also simply be due to a lack of quality sex education and knowledge about how to use pornography in healthy ways.
Where to Seek Support if You Are Worried About Your Pornography Use and Depression
There are a lot of great options if you are looking for support to address your dependence upon pornography or to determine if your porn use is connected to feelings of depression, including:
Based on the research and lack of evidence showing any direct link between pornography as the cause or trigger of depression, it seems this remains a myth spread to discourage the use of pornography because it’s viewed as bad or immoral. It could also simply be due to a lack of quality sex education and knowledge about how to use pornography in healthy ways.
That said, some people do in fact experiencedepressive symptomsas a result of using pornography due to a number of individual factors. There’s no hard and fast rule. If you notice porn viewing is making you feel depressed, worse about yourself, your relationship, or taking away the enjoyment of everyday life, that could be reason enough to take a break.
Jill DainoJill E. Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH, is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and program director. She works to support quality clinical care at Talkspace. Her work as a clinician and trainer focuses on the mental health impact of body image concerns and eating disorders across the lifespan.
Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH, is a clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and program director. She works to support quality clinical care at Talkspace. Her work as a clinician and trainer focuses on the mental health impact of body image concerns and eating disorders across the lifespan.
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