Mental- and Physical-Health Indicators and Sexually Explicit Media Use Behavior by Adults.
Weaver, James B. III PhD, MPH 1; Weaver, Stephanie Sargent PhD, MPH 1; Mays, Darren PhD, MPH 1; Hopkins, Gary L. MD, DrPH 2; Kannenberg, Wendi MPH 2; McBride, Duane PhD 2
[Article]
Journal of Sexual Medicine.
8(3):764-772, March 2011.
(Format: HTML, PDF)
Introduction. Converging evidence from culturally diverse contexts indicates that sexually explicit media use behavior (SEMB; i.e., pornography consumption) is associated with risky sexual health perceptions and behaviors, many that involve high risks of HIV/STD transmission.
Aim. Essentially unexplored, and the focus here, are potential relationships between SEMB and nonsexual mental- and physical-health indicators.
Main Outcome Measures. Variability in six continuously measured health indicators (depressive symptoms, mental- and physical-health diminished days, health status, quality of life, and body mass index) was examined across two levels (users, nonusers) of SEMB.
Methods. A sample of 559 Seattle-Tacoma Internet-using adults was surveyed in 2006. Multivariate general linear models parameterized in a SEMB by respondent gender (2 x 2) factorial design were computed incorporating adjustments for several demographics.
Results. SEMB was reported by 36.7% (n = 205) of the sample. Most SEMB users (78%) were men. After adjusting for demographics, SEMB users, compared to nonusers, reported greater depressive symptoms, poorer quality of life, more mental- and physical-health diminished days, and lower health status.
Conclusions. The findings show that mental- and physical-health indicators vary significantly across SEMB, suggesting the value of incorporating these factors in future research and programmatic endeavors. In particular, the findings suggest that evidence-based sexual health promotion strategies simultaneously addressing individuals' SEMB and their mental health needs might be a useful approach to improve mental health and address preventable sexual health outcomes associated with SEMB. Weaver JB, III, Weaver SS, Mays D, Hopkins GL, Kannenberg W, and McBride D. Mental- and physical-health indicators and sexually explicit media use behavior by adults. J Sex Med 2011;8:764-772.
(C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd