Pornography, Self-Esteem, Capacity for Intimacy: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine how Pornography affects our perceived effect on self-esteem and capacity for intimacy. Participants’ self-esteem was measured using Rosenberg self- esteem scale. Their capacity for intimacy was measured by using Miller social intimacy scale. Potential effects of consumption of porn on one’s self esteem and capacity for intimacy was analysed for male and female respectively. Also, how number of hours of watching porn affects our self-esteem and capacity for intimacy was also analysed. Through convenience sampling sample size of 60 male and 60 females were taken (age 19-25yrs). Through t test analysis it was seen that there exists significant difference between male and female perceived self-esteem (p<0.01 i.e., 99% significance level) and capacity for intimacy (p<0.05 i.e., 95%significance level). The result found that female self-esteem is lower as compared to male watching 1-4 hrs. of porn per week. And with respect to capacity for intimacy it was seen that females had scored higher as compared to males watching 1-4 hrs. of porn per week.  The data was further bifurcated into 35 each (consisting of male and female) based on number of hours a participant consumes porn. Two sub groups in data were number of participants who watches more than 2 hrs. of porn per week vs less than 2hrs of porn per week. Analysis through independent t test showed that there is no significant difference between two groups i.e., both groups reported to have similar self-esteem level and capacity for intimacy.