Pornography use, sexual behaviours, and emotional intelligence in italian adolescents

Abstract

Sexually explicit material (SEM) is easily accessed by adolescents. This cross-sectional study examined the characteristics of 413 Italian adolescents (aged 17-22, 55% female) who use SEM. We examined the associations of SEM use with relationship status, religiosity, and emotional intelligence. All of the respondents reported accessing SEM while underage, with males using SEM more than females and accessing SEM at an earlier age; earlier exposure to SEM was also found to influence later SEM use. The reasons for watching pornography also differed be-tween the genders. There was a partial connection between the EQ-I:YV, SEM use, and recent sexual activity. The gender differences in terms of the prevalence and reasons for the use of SEM may be connected to a more general gender cultural stereotype.