Religion, morals, and pornography: risk or resource? A U.S. census-matched study

Pornography use is common in the United States, and a subset of individuals develop problematic pornography use (PPU). Previous research often excluded abstainers, leading to potentially biased conclusions on the overall role of religion and moral beliefs in pornography research. This study tested whether religious identification and moral disapproval of pornography function as risk factors for PPU or resources for well-being when the full population is considered. We analyzed data from a census-matched sample of U.S. adults (n = 2,806), using correlations, group comparisons, and hierarchical regressions to examine associations of religious identification and moral disapproval of pornography with sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and suicidality. When including pornography-abstainers in analyses, moral disapproval and Judeo-Christian religious identification were unassociated with PPU, but linked to higher sexual, romantic, and general life satisfaction, and less suicidality. In contrast, PPU and pornography frequency were linked to lower satisfaction and more suicidality. Expanding analyses on the general population reframes the role of religion and morality in pornography research. Findings suggest that religion and moral disapproval may serve as protective resources for well-being and mental health. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.