Document Type

Research Paper

Date of Completion

2026

Department

​Behavioral Sciences

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Benjamin Hall

Abstract

This study examined the relationship among pornography use, attitudes toward pornography, and romantic relationship outcomes among adults in the United States. The hypotheses are as follows: 1. Pornography use is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. 2. Positive attitudes toward pornography are negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. 3. Men will report more positive attitudes toward pornography than women, 4. Higher pornography use is associated with being single.  A convenience sample of 165 adults from central Arkansas completed measures assessing pornography use/acceptance and relationship satisfaction. Statistical analyses included a correlation matrix, an independent-samples t-test, and a chi-square analysis. Results showed that pornography use was not significantly associated with relationship satisfaction, and positive attitudes toward pornography were not significantly related to relationship satisfaction. Likewise, pornography use was not significantly associated with relationship status. However, men reported significantly more positive attitudes toward pornography use than women (H:3). These findings suggest that, within this sample, attitudes toward pornography differed by sex. In contrast, pornography use and acceptance were not significant predictors of relationship satisfaction or relationship status. Future research should examine more diverse samples and consider additional factors: relationship communication, religiosity, and problematic pornography use. The author gratefully acknowledges the Harding University McNair Program, Harding University, and Dr. Benjamin Hall for their guidance, mentorship, and support throughout this research project.

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The Effects of Pornography on Romatic Relationships (1).pdf (458 kB)
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