Stress, Hypersexuality and Problematic Pornography Consumption among Young Drug Addicts of Pakistan

Abstract

Stress and hypersexuality could be highly correlated with problematic pornography use among young drug addicts. This study investigated the relationship between stress, hypersexuality, and problematic pornography consumption among young drug addicts. A sample of 160 participants, aged 18-29, who used substances like alcohol, cannabis, or opium, were recruited using purposive sampling. All participants had at least a matriculation-level education, and those who only used nicotine or caffeine were excluded. Standardized scales were used to assess stress (Perceived Stress Scale), hypersexuality (Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale), and problematic pornography consumption (Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale). Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between stress, hypersexuality, and problematic pornography consumption among young drug addicts. Specifically, perceived stress was strongly positively correlated with all five factors of hypersexuality, including control, salience, relapse, dissatisfaction, and negative consequences, indicating that higher stress levels are associated with increased hypersexuality. Additionally, perceived stress showed a highly significant positive relationship with mood modification, a key aspect of problematic pornography consumption, suggesting that stress may contribute to using pornography as a coping mechanism. The study's results will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by filling the research gap in understanding the predictors of drug addiction. This will provide valuable insights for future research and inform evidence-based practices.