(029) Frequent Pornography Consumption is Linked to Poor Body Satisfaction and Consequently to Poor Sexual Functioning in Heterosexually-identified Men Who Endorse Masculinity Ideologies

Abstract

Abstract Introduction In Western societies, men may frequently receive messages about ideals of an often unattainable male body through visual media, including pornography. Additionally, men may hold traditional masculinity beliefs that idealize slender and muscular male bodies. Objective The current study analyzed whether pornography consumption was associated with men’s body satisfaction. Additionally, it was analyzed whether the endorsement of masculinity ideologies was a vulnerability factor that makes men more or less susceptible to pornography’s influence on body satisfaction. The study further analyzed whether body satisfaction in turn predicted men’s experiences of distressing sexual problems. Methods An online questionnaire study was conducted among 261 self-identified heterosexual young men (Mage = 24.4, SD = 3.5) at an Austrian medical university. The questionnaire contained questions about frequency of pornography consumption, body satisfaction, and distressing sexual problems. Endorsement of masculinity ideologies was assessed with the Male Role Norms Inventory–Short Form. A structural equation model was calculated to test whether the frequency of pornography consumption predicted body satisfaction, and whether body satisfaction in turn predicted distressing sexual problems. Men’s endorsement of masculinity ideologies was considered as a moderator for the effect of pornography consumption on body satisfaction. Results A structural equation model (χ2(30) = 39.3, p = .119; χ2/df = 1.3; RMSEA = .035, 90%CI = .000 – .062; CFI = .941; SRMR = .029) revealed that for most men pornography consumption was not associated with body satisfaction. However, there was a negative association between pornography consumption and body satisfaction for men who strongly endorsed the masculinity ideology of men needing to always be the dominant. Poor body satisfaction in turn was significantly associated with the experience of distressing erectile difficulties, ejaculation sooner than desired, or diminished intensity of orgasmic sensations. Conclusions This study reveals the importance of body satisfaction for sexual functioning in young heterosexual-identified men. Thus, clinicians who treat sexual problems in young men should address their clients’ or patients’ body satisfaction. Empowering men who endorse masculinity ideologies to challenge norms for an “ideal” male body, as depicted in most pornography, may be an important component of such interventions. Disclosure No