The Consumption of Pornography Scale – General (COPS – G)

Abstract

Pornography is widely used, distributed, and researched. Nevertheless, few psychometric scales have yet to be developed that assesses this complex construct without pathologizing the behavior or labeling the behavior as problematic. The current study sought to develop a 34-item, purely behavioral and topographic measure of pornography consumption without assigning value to the behavior. In the current study (N = 317), we examine the overarching factor structure and provide initial evidence for the scale’s psychometric characteristics. In line with our hypotheses, we found a bifactor model with one general factor and four subfactors fit the data best; the scale was reliable, and scores were stable over time. Further, the current study provides initial evidence for the scale’s convergent validity in its relation to sexual sensation seeking, excessive pornography use, and gender as well as evidence for divergent validity by possessing small correlations with depressive symptoms and sexual satisfaction. Finally, the current study also provides initial evidence for the scale’s incremental validity and discusses limitations and ideas for future research.