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<p>Within this rapidly advancing digital era, problematic pornography use (PPU) represents a significant global concern, with a growing body of evidence implicating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as salient risk factors of this behaviour. Nonetheless, there seems to be paucity of research on factors that could mitigate this link. Building on the social control theory, this study investigated whether perceived social support (PSS) is a significant buffer in the relationship between ACEs and PPU among youths, focusing on whether those with higher PSS are less likely to engage in PPU, despite a history of childhood adversity. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, 491 youths aged 18 to 35 years (males: <i>n</i> = 157 [32%], females: <i>n</i> = 334[68%], Mean age = 21.45 years, SD = 2.82) were conveniently sampled. These participants completed reliable measures of ACEs, PSS, and PPU. Results revealed that while the physical/emotional abuse domain of ACEs positively predicted PPU, sexual abuse and household dysfunction domains of ACEs negatively predicted PPU. Moreover, PSS from significant others moderated both the sexual abuse-PPU link, and the relationship between household dysfunction and PPU; in both cases, higher levels of PSS were associated with lower engagement in PPU. Interventions may do well to prioritize strengthening interpersonal bonds, which can serve as critical safeguards against the trajectory from childhood trauma to compulsive digital coping like PPU.</p>

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Adverse childhood experiences and digital escape: can perceived social support diminish the pull of problematic pornography use among youth?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月10日

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  • Desmond Uchechukwu Onu,
  • Chinonso Praise Adangozi,
  • Ebele Evelyn Nnadozie,
  • Anthony Chinaemerem Ajah,
  • Elisha John Igwe

摘要

Within this rapidly advancing digital era, problematic pornography use (PPU) represents a significant global concern, with a growing body of evidence implicating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as salient risk factors of this behaviour. Nonetheless, there seems to be paucity of research on factors that could mitigate this link. Building on the social control theory, this study investigated whether perceived social support (PSS) is a significant buffer in the relationship between ACEs and PPU among youths, focusing on whether those with higher PSS are less likely to engage in PPU, despite a history of childhood adversity. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, 491 youths aged 18 to 35 years (males: n = 157 [32%], females: n = 334[68%], Mean age = 21.45 years, SD = 2.82) were conveniently sampled. These participants completed reliable measures of ACEs, PSS, and PPU. Results revealed that while the physical/emotional abuse domain of ACEs positively predicted PPU, sexual abuse and household dysfunction domains of ACEs negatively predicted PPU. Moreover, PSS from significant others moderated both the sexual abuse-PPU link, and the relationship between household dysfunction and PPU; in both cases, higher levels of PSS were associated with lower engagement in PPU. Interventions may do well to prioritize strengthening interpersonal bonds, which can serve as critical safeguards against the trajectory from childhood trauma to compulsive digital coping like PPU.