Clinical and Demographic Correlates of Pornography Addiction: A Cross-sectional Study from India

Abstract

Background: Pornography addiction is a growing public health concern worldwide, with increasing recognition of its prevalence and consequences in India. This study explores the onset, manifestation, and impact of pornography addiction within the Indian context, addressing the need for culturally relevant research.

Method: A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 589 individuals who sought treatment for pornography addiction through online and offline healthcare platforms. Patients aged 18 and older were included based on the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria for Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) (6C72). Data on demographic factors, clinical diagnoses, and treatment outcomes were analyzed using International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS). Participants received either pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

Results: The sample included 589 participants, predominantly male (n = 583; 98.98%), with a mean age of 28.98 years; 374 (63.5%) were under 30, and 287 (48.7%) were single. Most identified as heterosexual (n = 568; 96.4%) and had no prior treatment history (n = 465; 78.9%). Common co-morbid sexual dysfunctions included erectile dysfunction (n = 232; 39.4%), premature ejaculation (n = 198; 33.6%), and low sexual desire (n = 109; 18.5%). Pharmacological treatment was most common (n = 338; 57.4%), followed by psychotherapy (n = 207; 35.2%) and combined treatment (n = 44; 7.4%). Age showed significant associations with addiction severity (χ² = 17.07, p = .01), relationship status (χ² = 190.11, p < .01), and treatment modality (χ² = 12.25, p = .01), with younger individuals more often receiving psychotherapy. Severity was weakly but significantly correlated with both age (r = 0.149, p < .01) and number of psychiatric diagnoses (r = 0.098, p < .05).

Conclusions: Pornography addiction in India is shaped by age, relationship status, and cultural context. These findings underscore the need for age-targeted, culturally informed interventions. Future research should examine longitudinal trends and psychiatric comorbidities to guide comprehensive treatment planning.

Keywords: Pornography addiction; cultural factors; mental health; public health; sexual disorders; societal norms.