Correlates of Gay Men's Self-Reported Exposure to Pornography

Abstract Although perceived to be a ubiquitous and profitable element of gay culture, to date, only one published study has investigated the correlates of gay men's exposure to pornography. In the current research, an Internet-based survey (N = 66) was used to examine possible associations between pornography exposure and the drive for muscularity, genital esteem, sexual esteem, and the perceived importance of practicing safer sex. In accordance with Sociocultural Theory, it was anticipated that exposure to pornography would correlate negatively with indices of esteem and safer sex, and positively with the drive to become more muscular. The role of internalized homonegativity as a potential moderator variable also was investigated. Results provide little support for the anecdotal view that gay pornography causes various “individual and systemic harms” (Kendall & Funk, 2003, p. 94). Limitations of this study and directions for future research are outlined.

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