Problematic Pornography Use and Suicidal Thoughts: Results From Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses

Objective: There is a growing consensus that problematic pornography use (PPU), one of the most commonly reported compulsive sexual behaviors, is related to a number of internalizing psychiatric symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression). However, little is known about the potential comorbidity of PPU and suicidal thoughts. Given known links between PPU and higher levels of guilt, shame, and moral disapproval, it may be that PPU may be related to suicidal thoughts. Method: Using two independent samples, we cross-sectionally (Sample 1: undergraduates, n = 422) and longitudinally (Sample 2: nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, n = 1,455) tested for associations between PPU and past-month suicidal ideation and perceived likelihood of suicidal behaviors, while controlling for frequency of pornography use, moral disapproval, moral incongruence, and religiousness. Results: Cross-sectionally, PPU was related to higher levels of self-perceived likelihood of suicidal behaviors, but not past-month suicidal thoughts. Longitudinally, PPU was related to higher initial levels (i.e., intercept) of past-month suicidal thoughts and self-perceived likelihood of suicidal behaviors, but not changes in either (i.e., slope). The frequency of pornography use was statistically unrelated to each outcome for both samples, while moral beliefs about pornography use showed mixed relationships. Conclusions: Clinicians working with patients reporting PPU may consider ways it may contribute to suicidal thinking.