The role of pornography in the sex life of young adults-a cross-sectional cohort study on female and male German medical students.

Jahnen, Matthias; Zeng, Leopold; Kron, Martina; Meissner, Valentin H; Korte, Alexander; Schiele, Stefan; Schulwitz, Helga; Dinkel, Andreas; Gschwend, Jürgen E; Herkommer, Kathleen

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13699-4

journal article

Title:: The role of pornography in the sex life of young adults-a cross-sectional cohort study on female and male German medical students.
Document type:: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Author(s):: Jahnen, Matthias; Zeng, Leopold; Kron, Martina; Meissner, Valentin H; Korte, Alexander; Schiele, Stefan; Schulwitz, Helga; Dinkel, Andreas; Gschwend, Jürgen E; Herkommer, Kathleen
Abstract:: BACKGROUND: Due to easy online accessibility of pornography its consumption is popular among adolescents and young adults. Considering recently developed frameworks on the effects of sexual media, we assessed how increased consumption of pornography is associated with the experience of certain aspects of offline and online sexual activity in German medical students. METHODS: Between April 2018 and March 2020 medical students from the Technical University of Munich in Germany were anonymously surveyed with regards to their sexual behavior, consumption of pornography, and use of social media. 468 students (female: n = 293; male: n = 175) were included in the current analysis. Data was analyzed using simple and multiple Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Only 7.3% of female students but the majority of male students (79.1%) consumed pornography more than 4 times in the last 4 weeks. Female and male students who reported to be inspired by pornography (female: 52.0%, male: 74.6%) and who have enjoyed the experience of anal intercourse in their life (female: 17.1%, male: 32.2%) consumed pornography more frequently. Female students who have experienced a "threesome" (9.0%), have sent erotic pictures of themselves (33.5%), or use social media in their dating life (27.6%) consumed pornography more frequently. Male students who did not experience a sexual transmitted disease (82.9%) and did not cheat on their partner (68.0%) consumed pornography more frequently (results of multiple Poisson regression analysis; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Many students consider pornography as inspiration for their sex life and frequent consumption of pornography seems to be associated with gender specific characteristics congruent with short-term sexual quality. The desire of adolescents and young adults for practical information about sexual intercourse should be addressed openly and a proper understanding of the sexuality shown in pornography should be taught.
Journal title abbreviation:: BMC Public Health
Year:: 2022
Journal volume:: 22
Journal issue:: 1
Fulltext / DOI:: doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13699-4
Pubmed ID:: http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35787262
Print-ISSN:: 1471-2458
TUM Institution:: 273; Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie; Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie
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