Examining the relationship between problematic pornography use and mental health status among adolescents of Bangladesh

Background: Pornographic use has been associated with poor mental health consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between problematic pornography use and mental health issues among adolescents in Bangladesh. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the relationship between problematic pornography uses with mental health status of adolescents in Bangladesh. The survey, which involved demographic questions and scales like the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the General Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Brief Pornography Screen, included a sample of 601 teenagers. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models after the scales underwent step-by-step validation. Results: It was discovered that boys scored higher (6.71) than girls (3.16), with the mean score for problematic pornography use (PPU) being 5.13. The Brief Pornography Scale revealed substantial relationships with anxiety (r=0.358), loneliness (r=0.382), and perceived social support (r=0.276). The structural modeling equation and hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that problematic use of pornography was associated with being male (r=0.26 to 0.45, p=0.001), higher monthly family cost (r=0.12 to 0.33, p=0.05), accessing pornography online (r=-0.14 to -0.27, p=0.05), consuming pornography through TV/DVD/downloaded videos (r=-0.44 to -0.55). However, the RSES scale did not reveal any correlation between problematic pornography consumption and self-esteem. Conclusion: This study found significant relationship with problematic pornography use and mental health status of Bangladeshi adolescent. It emphasizes the significance of raising awareness about the danger of problematic pornography use. The results of this study highlight the necessity for focused interventions and educational initiatives addressing the possible hazards connected to this population's pornographic use.