Qualitative Study of the Relationship Between the Use of Pornography and Sexual Fantasy

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative research study was to gain further insight into the relationship between pornography and sexual fantasy by exploring perception of these two behaviors separately and in relation to each other, with a special focus on how they change throughout the lifespan. Furthermore, the role of the format in which participants consume pornography was examined in relation to sexual fantasy. There were six male participants between the ages of 23 and 46 and eight female participants between the ages of 19 and 31. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Results suggest that participants recognized both positive as well as negative aspects of pornography and sexual fantasy, with many similarities in the positive aspects. The number of negative aspects was greater for pornography than for sexual fantasy. Participants perceive these two behaviors as sometimes intertwined, meaning they can complement each other. However, they can also be separate and used for different purposes, depending on various internal and external factors. Moreover, their relationship varied during different periods of the participant’s lifespan. A higher frequency of one behavior sometimes interfered with the other, but never to the point of complete termination. In addition, it has been shown that for some participants, the choice of a non-audiovisual pornography gave them more room to create sexual fantasies.