Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy for Problematic Pornography Use

Harun Ismail Incekara30 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of short-term psychodynamic group therapy for problematic pornography use in young adult men. Participants were assigned to either a psychodynamic group therapy intervention or a control condition. The intervention consisted of 16 online group therapy sessions. The study examined changes in pornography craving, emotion regulation difficulties, shame, and guilt. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Addiction

Interventions

Short-Term Psychodynamic Group TherapyBEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of 16 online psychodynamic group therapy sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Sessions were conducted in a group format via Google Meet. The intervention focused on psychodynamic exploration of problematic pornography use, including associated emotions, interpersonal patterns, internal conflicts, and difficulties in emotion regulation.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Male sex * Aged 18-30 years * At least a high school education * Pornography use on at least 3 days per week * Meeting the study's screening criterion for problematic pornography use * Providing informed consent and willingness to participate in the intervention and assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported history of a severe psychiatric disorder * Self-reported history of substance dependence * Severe psychological distress requiring individual psychiatric intervention

Locations (1)

Medipol University

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ) Score

Pornography craving was assessed using the Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ). Higher scores indicate greater pornography craving.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) Score

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) was used to assess difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale consists of 16 items rated from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation and therefore a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

Trait Shame and Guilt Scale - Shame Subscale Score

Shame was assessed using the shame subscale of the Trait Shame and Guilt Scale (TSGS). The mean subscale score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater levels of shame and therefore a worse outcome.

Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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