Self-regulation deficiencies and perceived problematic online pornography use among young Chinese women: The role of self-acceptance

Although perceived problematic online pornography use has attracted attention, how this phenomenon manifests among females is not well understood. Based on self-regulation theory and the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model, this study explored the prospective effects of behavioral (i.e., pornography use frequency) and psychological (i.e., difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviors) risk factors on perceived problematic online pornography use. Furthermore, it examined the direct and moderating roles of self-acceptance in these associations. Analysis of anonymous survey data of 559 young Chinese women (mean age = 19.86 years) collected at two time points over a one-year interval revealed that both Time 1 (T1) pornography use frequency and T1 difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviors were positively correlated, whereas T1 self-acceptance was negatively correlated with perceived problematic online pornography use assessed at both T1 and Time 2 (T2). Moreover, T1 self-acceptance moderated the prospective effect of T1 pornography use frequency on T2 perceived problematic online pornography use after the hierarchical regression model controlled for T1 perceived problematic online pornography use. This prospective effect was weaker for individuals with high rather than low self-acceptance. Our findings advance knowledge of the complex underlying psychological mechanisms of perceived problematic online pornography use by providing evidence of both the direct and/or moderated roles of pornography use frequency, difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior, and self-acceptance in these mechanisms. Our study also offers a novel perspective and potential for implementing preventive and therapeutic interventions based on acceptance and commitment therapy among young women with problematic pornography use.