Date

4-2019

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Fred Volk

Keywords

Pornography, Moral Incongruence, Age, Church Attendance, Spirituality, Perceived Addiction

Disciplines

Christianity | Counseling

Abstract

Exposure to pornography has become more widespread due to the Internet, with the age of exposure as early as 13 years of age. With the shift of the moral narrative that pornography use is harmful personally and relationally, many who advocate against pornography use do so primarily on the basis of its maladaptive effects on the user and the user’s relationships. Within the context of the moral disapproval of pornography use, this study assesses the relationship that age, church attendance, and spirituality have with perceived addiction to pornography. This study hypothesized that age, church attendance, and spirituality will have a moderating effect on perceived addiction. The 127 participants consisted of Protestants, Catholics, and nondenominational Christians. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. This study found a strong relationship between moral incongruence and perceived pornography addiction. Age was found to be negatively correlated with perceived pornography addiction. Spirituality was found to have a strong positive correlation with perceived pornography addiction. Also, spirituality was found to moderate the relationship between moral incongruence and perceived pornography addiction. This study informs practitioners who utilize spirituality when working with those who have maladaptive effects from pornography use.

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