Thursday, September 20, 2007

More NCJRS Abstracts, Porn Edition

AMONG THE LATEST RESEARCH POSTED AT http://www.ncjrs.gov/. CHECK FOR OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST THERE AS WELL.

NCJ 219535
Philipe Bensimon
Role of Pornography in Sexual Offending
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
Volume:14 Issue:2 Dated:2007 Pages:95 to 117

This paper reviews the research literature regarding the association between exposure to pornography and sexual offenses. Results indicated that, to date, research has failed to establish a direct cause-and-effect link between the consumption of pornographic materials and sexual offending behavior. Generally, the literature review revealed mixed findings regarding the link between pornography and sexual offending, although there was one point of agreement in these studies: the availability and exposure to pornography does nothing to dissuade pornography consumers from engaging in sexually offending behavior. In one study of juvenile offenders it was found that juvenile sex offenders were more likely to have been exposed to pornography between the ages of 5 and 8 years. The inconsistent findings in the research literature regarding the use of pornography as a predictor or precursor to sexual offending can be attributed to differing research methodologies, including differences in participant sampling strategies, measures of pornography exposure, and even the genres of pornography included in the studies. Although direct links between pornography and sexual offending have not been conclusively made, the author discusses the desensitizing impact of pornography on consumers of pornographic materials. Scant research has been conducted concerning the impact of pornography on incarcerated offenders. This is an important avenue for future research. Footnotes, references

NCJ 219538
Natasha Petty Levert
Comparison of Christian and Non-Christian Males, Authoritarianism, and Their Relationship to Internet Pornography Addiction/Compulsion
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
Volume:14 Issue:2 Dated:2007 Pages:145 to 166

This study investigated whether right-wing (conservative) authoritarian (RWA) tendencies were common to Christian and non-Christian males who displayed Internet pornography addiction/compulsion. Results indicated a significant relationship between compulsivity and RWA. Christian compulsives did not demonstrate more RWA tendencies than non-Christian compulsives. Other findings revealed that: (1) Christian compulsives exhibited right-wing authoritarian tendencies; (2) Christian males in general appeared to present more right-wing authoritarian tendencies than non-Christian males; and (3) both Christian and non-Christian compulsives demonstrated more right-wing authoritarian characteristics than did Christian and non-Christian non-compulsives. Understanding the right-wing authoritarian tendencies of male compulsives is important to understanding their cognitions and devising an effective treatment plan. Clinicians are encouraged to challenge the sexually addicted RWA’s tendency towards authoritarian submission in order to offer freedom, confidence, self-worth, and personal autonomy to the patient. Future research should focus on females who engage in online sexual pursuits. Participants were 4 groups of 30 male volunteers who had Internet access: (1) non-Christian compulsives; (2) Christian compulsives; (3) Christian noncompulsives; and (4) non-Christian noncompulsives. Participants completed a series of measures using an online survey methodology. Surveys included a demographic questionnaire, the Kalichman Sexual Compulsivity Scale (KSCS), and the Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWA Scale). Participants were also asked about their Internet pornography habits. Data were analyzed using ANOVA models. Table, references

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