Pornography use patterns and psychosexual well-being: cultural and gender differences among partnered young people in China and the UK

Abstract

This study examined how distinct patterns of pornography use (secret solitary, partner-aware solitary and shared) were associated with sexual satisfaction, sexual pleasure and sexual shame among partnered young people in China and the UK. A total of 1,223 participants (18–25 years) completed measures of pornography use and psychosexual well-being. Participants rated the frequency of each pattern on an 8-point scale; we analysed repeated measures with linear mixed-effects models and tested associations via structural equation modelling with effect-coded gender and culture, including observed interactions. Patterns of use explained more variance in frequency than gender or culture. Secretive use was associated with lower sexual satisfaction and greater sexual shame, although the direction of effects may be bidirectional, reflecting both the relational costs of concealment and its potential roots in dissatisfaction or shame. Partner-aware and shared use were generally associated with more positive outcomes, particularly among women. Despite cultural conservatism and legal restrictions, participants in China reported similar frequency of partner-aware and higher shared use than participants in the UK, whereas elevated shame was observed primarily in the UK, suggesting that local norms may influence engagement, disclosure and the meanings attached to secrecy and openness within relationships.

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ORCID for Roger Ingham: orcid.org/0000-0001-7964-413X

ORCID for Heather Armstrong: orcid.org/0000-0002-1071-8644

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