Problematic internet pornography use: The role of craving, desire thinking, and metacognition

Andrew Allen; Lee Kannis-Dymand; Mary Katsikitis

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.001

Back

Problematic internet pornography use: The role of craving, desire thinking, and metacognition

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Problematic internet pornography use: The role of craving, desire thinking, and metacognition

Andrew Allen, Lee Kannis-Dymand and Mary Katsikitis

Addictive Behaviors, Vol.70, pp.65-71

2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.001

Files and links (2)

pdf

PDF - Author Accepted Version (Open Access)898.92 kBDownload View

Accepted VersionPDF - Author Accepted Version (Open Access)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access

url

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.001View

Published Version

Abstract

addictive behaviours

craving

desire thinking

metacognitions

metacognitive theory

internet pornography use

Defined as sexually explicit material that elicits erotic thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, internet pornography is a prevalent form of media that may facilitate problematic use and craving for engagement. Research suggests that superordinate cognitions and information processing, such as desire thinking and metacognition, are central to the activation and escalation of craving in addictive behaviours. The current study aimed to contribute to the literature by testing the proposed metacognitive model of desire thinking and craving in a sample of problematic pornography users, while revising the model by incorporating negative affect. From a theoretical perspective, environmental cues trigger positive metacognitions about desire thinking that directly influence desire thinking, resulting in the escalation of craving, negative metacognitions, and negative affect. Participants were recruited via an online survey and screened for problematic internet pornography use. Path analyses were used to investigate relationships among the aforementioned constructs in a final sample of 191 participants. Consistent with previous research, results of this study validated the existence of metacognitive processes in the activation of desire thinking and escalation of craving, while indicating that desire thinking has the potential to influence negative affect. Additionally, results supported the role of significant indirect relationships between constructs within the revised model of metacognition, desire thinking, and psychopathology. Collectively, the findings demonstrate the clinical value of a metacognitive conceptualisation of problematic pornography use. Exploring the metacognitive mechanisms that underpin problematic internet pornography use may give rise to the development of new treatment and relapse prevention strategies.

Details

Title: Problematic internet pornography use: The role of craving, desire thinking, and metacognition
Authors: Andrew Allen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Lee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Mary Katsikitis (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Addictive Behaviors, Vol.70, pp.65-71
Publisher: Pergamon
Date published: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.001
ISSN: 0306-4603; 0306-4603
Copyright note: Copyright © 2017. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450570602621
Output Type: Journal article
Research Statement: false