This dyadic prospective study examined how pornography use frequency, eight pornography use motivations (PUMs), and problematic pornography use (PPU) predict sexual well-being (satisfaction, function, distress, partnered sexual frequency) in 309 couples (618 individuals) over one year, with gender as a moderator.
Men's higher sexual pleasure and self-exploration PUMs were linked to better sexual function for both themselves and their partners one year later, while women's and gender-diverse individuals' PPU was associated with their partner's lower sexual function at follow-up; associations were gender-specific and included notable partner (crossover) effects.
The sample was self-selected and largely recruited online, limiting generalizability; the analysis plan deviated from preregistration (e.g., switching from latent growth curve to cross-lagged models, adding post-hoc Benjamini–Hochberg correction); gender-diverse individuals (2%) were grouped with women, limiting conclusions about this subgroup.
Clinicians working with couples should assess not just whether a partner uses pornography, but why they use it and whether use is problematic — especially since a partner's PPU can affect the other partner's sexual function. Gender-sensitive, couple-level conversations about pornography are warranted in sexual health practice.
