Digital desires under duress: financial stress and pornography usage in Russian cities

This study explores the behavioral implications of financial stress on online pornography consumption across ten major Russian cities during the years 2019–2021. Using a panel data set reflecting urban digital behavior and macroeconomic uncertainty, the author uses fixed-effects regression techniques to estimate the impact of financial volatility on daily pornography viewership. The findings indicate a consistent and statistically significant positive relationship between financial stress and pornography consumption. The analysis incorporates pandemic-related controls, including lockdown periods, COVID-19 case surges, seasonal temperature effects and national holidays. These results underscore the role of digital escapism as a coping mechanism during times of economic uncertainty and crisis. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of stress-induced digital behaviors in transitional economies, presenting implications for public mental health frameworks, digital platform governance and socioeconomic policy design in Russia.