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Change Through Stillness: Qualitative Explorations of Heterosexual Men as They Utilise Meditation as an Intervention for Self-Perceived Problematic Pornography Use

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Thesis(1.77 MB)

Date

2020

Authors

Supervisor

Farvid, Pani
Carter, Phil
Csako, Rita

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Doctor of Philosophy

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

This project fills significant research gaps in current literature related to adult heterosexual men who identify with a problematic relationship with pornography, including qualitative research examining the experiences and contexts that contributed to SPPPU, its origins, explorations of past attempts at quitting, and experiences of men as they intervene with the problematic pornography use with a meditation intervention designed specifically for this study. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of meditation as an intervention and mediator of pornography viewing for adult heterosexual men who identify with Self-Perceived Problematic Pornography Use (SPPPU) utilizing Single Case Experimental Design (SCED). Additionally, the study design explored the previously undocumented qualitative accounts of men’s experiences with SPPPU, its origins, contexts for use, and experiences of these men as they intervene with their problematic pornography use. Using a multiple baseline design in accordance with the single-case reporting guidelines in behavioural interventions (SCRIBE), fifteen men (n=3 for pilot study; n=12 for intervention study) with SPPPU participated in a randomized multiple-baseline across-subjects design with one intervention condition: twice-daily guided meditations. Participants logged their daily pornography viewing (both frequency and total duration) throughout the study, and filled out the Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ) and Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS) at intake and post-study. Qualitative data provided by pre- and post-study interviews provided rich data, which served the primary function of contextualising data and adding explanatory power in support of other quantitative results. Statistical analyses alone demonstrated modest results in relation to meditation’s potential efficacy as an intervention for SPPPU. Thematic analyses helped to reveal both important themes related to how men talk about SPPPU, as well as supportive data for the perceived benefits and mechanisms of action associated with meditation as it relates to SPPPU. Lastly, the experiences of men as they engage with SPPPU revealed key considerations for researchers/clinicians working with this study population. Potential directions for future research and implications for researchers/clinicians are also discussed.

Description

Keywords

Pornography, Mindfulness, Meditation, SPPPU, Problematic pornography use, Porn addiction

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Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/13170

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Doctoral Theses