Secure friendships buffer single men from porn-related shame and depression
Friendships may protect single men from depression linked to porn use and moral conflict, finds study.
Why it matters
- Moral conflict around pornography can lead to sexual shame and loneliness, increasing depression risk.
- Secure friendships can mitigate these negative psychological effects.
By the numbers
- Study involved 167 single men aged 19–30.
- Moral incongruence linked to increased sexual shame, loneliness, and depression.
- Secure friendships reduced the impact of moral conflict on depression.
The big picture
- Pornography use is common, but moral conflict can cause significant distress.
- Supportive friendships play a crucial role in mental health, acting as a buffer against negative effects.
What they're saying
- Researcher Brandon Waggoner: "Friendships aren’t just ‘nice to have’—they can make a big difference in someone’s wellbeing."
- Comments highlight concerns about shame and repression linked to religious beliefs.
Caveats
- Study relies on self-reported data, which may be biased.
- Cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
- Focused only on single men; may not generalize to other groups.
What’s next
- Future research could explore longitudinal effects and other protective factors like self-compassion.
- Interventions to strengthen friendships and secure attachment styles may be beneficial.