Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors Involved in the Consumption of Sexual Explicit Material. Ethical Aspects, Moral Incongruence, and the Frequency of Pornography Use

Abstract

This study aimed to explore socio-demographic and economic factors associated with pornography consumption. The research involved 348 participants: 157 were male (45.1%), and 191 were female (54.9%). Their ages ranged from 18 to 49 years (M = 22.42; SD = 4.58). Respondents completed questionnaires related to moral incongruence, the frequency of pornography use, and socio-demographic and economic factors. The results of this study indicated that individuals from rural areas had higher scores in terms of moral incongruence than individuals from urban areas. Furthermore, individuals with low income displayed higher scores in terms of moral incongruence than those with medium and high incomes. Concerning the frequency of pornography use, our results suggest that individuals with low income watch pornography less frequently than those with medium and high incomes. We discuss theoretical and practical implications, as well as ethical aspects related to this subject.