The global increase in pornography use is largely due to greater access to the Internet. Research suggests that early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) play a significant role in problematic pornography use (PPU), suggesting a potential link between PPU and schema modes. Schema modes are also associated with significant emotional dysregulation, and individuals often turn to pornography to manage their negative emotions. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) and the software Amos to examine the indirect effect between schema modes and PPU, and considered emotional dysregulation as a mediating factor. Data were collected from 392 participants (77.6% male, Mage = 20.90) via an online questionnaire, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated good fit of the measurement instruments including questionnaires of PPU, Schema Modes Inventory, and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation. SEM results indicated that the model fit with observed data (CFI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.049). The bootstrap results showed that the indirect effect of emotional dysregulation on schema modes and PPU was not significant (β = -0.187, P = 0.067). Given the non-significant mediation effect, these findings indicate that there is not an indirect effect between schema modes and PPU through emotional dysregulation, suggesting other mechanisms may be at play. Finally, these findings were examined in the context of the existing literature on PPU, and suggestions for future research were made.

Keywords