The Effects of Pornography Use on God Image

The present study explored the effects of pornography use on individuals' God image or attachment to God. God image refers to an individual's relational experience of God rather than their intellectual knowledge of God. Literature on the general effects of pornography use is reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, literature regarding the theoretical frameworks of God image is discussed, which include object relations and attachment theory. Little research has considered the effects of pornography use on a persons' attachment to God. Participants of the present study included 52 adults who endorsed a Christian religious/spiritual orientation, identified their current relationship with God as salient, and acknowledged viewing pornography in the past twelve months. Quantitative, as well as qualitative components were utilized to understand the relationship between pornography use and attachment to God. Results of this study indicated a significant positive correlation between an individuals' distress about their pornography use and an anxious attachment with God. A significant positive correlation was also found between an individuals' distress about their pornography use and anxious attachment to significant others. Individuals also reported feeling significantly more distant in their relationship with God after viewing pornography then prior to viewing pornography. Qualitative themes that emerged for individuals from the qualitative questions were also examined within the present study. Some of the more prominent themes included feeling ashamed after viewing pornography and feeling that God was disappointed. In order to feel close to God again, the majority of participants reported they approached God in some way.