Emotional Dysregulation and Coping Strategies in the Context of Problematic Pornography Use: A Narrative Review

Pornography may be used by individuals to regulate unpleasant emotional states or to cope with stressful life events. Although this may provide immediate relief, difficulties in emotion regulation and dysfunctional coping strategies could constitute potential risk factors for the development of problematic pornography use (PPU). This study aims to review the literature addressing emotion regulation in the context of pornography use and PPU. The current knowledge is summarized by reviewing studies on three levels: 1) assessing motivations for pornography use related to emotion regulation/coping, 2) linking emotion dysregulation/dysfunctional coping to PPU, and 3) treatments for PPU incorporating elements of emotion regulation/coping.

While various instruments have been devised for evaluating the motivations behind pornography consumption, encompassing emotional aspects, the Pornography Use Motivations Scale (PUMS) stands out as the most comprehensive measure to date. Using the PUMS in diverse populations is encouraged to further our understanding of the emotional motivators of porn use in diverse settings. Motivations to use pornography for emotion regulation purposes have been linked with PPU. Other studies have suggested an association between emotion dysregulation, dysfunctional coping strategies, and PPU. Treatment studies indicate that effective interventions for PPU include strategies for regulating emotions and developing adaptive coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, PPU is associated with emotional avoidance motives for pornography use, emotion regulation difficulties, and dysfunctional stress coping. However, the current literature is limited, and longitudinal studies in clinical samples are needed to assess the effectiveness of treatments that include elements of emotion regulation and stress management.