Aggressive Pornography, Hostility Toward Women, and Behavioral Activation System Traits are Differentially Associated With Intimate Partner Violence and Rape Myth Acceptance

Abstract

Rape myth acceptance (RMA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) represent harmful cognitions and behaviors that disproportionately impact women. The use of pornography, especially aggressive pornography, has been linked to both RMA and IPV. Research has found that the association between pornography and RMA and IPV weakens when statistical models account for individual differences, but this research is limited. The current study adds to the literature by examining how aggressive pornography use and behavioral activation system (BAS) personality traits (impulsivity, goal-drive persistence, reward reactivity, and reward interest) are associated with RMA and IPV perpetration against women. In this predominantly (90%) White sample ( N = 146), impulsivity and hostility toward women were positively associated with RMA. Impulsivity, reward interest, hostility toward women, and aggressive pornography use were positively associated with IPV perpetration; goal-drive persistence was negatively associated with IPV. Results indicate that aggressive pornography use, hostility toward women, and BAS personality traits are differentially associated with RMA and IPV. Interventions targeting impulsive behavior with the end of preventing RMA and IPV are discussed.