Adult Content Consumption, Perceived Realism, Gender Stereotype, and Non-Consensual Proclivities in Transitional Age Youth

Abstract

The pervasiveness of adult content consumption in today‟s age has brought noteworthy changes to individual‟s attitudes and behaviours in the society. The unrealistic visualization has distorted perceptions of relationships, sexuality and consent leading to objectification and deleterious stereotypes. The current study investigates the relationship between adult content consumption, perceived realism, gender stereotypes and non-consensual proclivities in transitional age youth. A sample of 219 adult content consumers aged 18-26 years (M=22.55, SD=2.43) participated in this study. It was hypothesized that there will be a positive relationship between adult content consumption, perceived realism, gender stereotype and non-consensual proclivities. Furthermore, perceived realism and gender stereotype will mediate the relationship between adult content consumption and non-consensual proclivities. Correlational cross-sectional research design was used in the study. Measures including Brief Pornography Scale (Kraus et al., 2020), Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (Bőthe et al., 2020), Perceived Realism (Peter & Valkenburg, 2010), Misogyny Scale (Rottweiler & Gill, 2021), Misandry Scale and Harassment Tendency Scale (Mobeen & Bano, 2022) were utilized in the study. The results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation showed a positive correlation between adult content consumption, perceived realism, gender stereotype and non-consensual proclivities. Moreover, the results of serial mediation showed that perceived realism and gender stereotype were serially mediating the relationship between adult content consumption and non-consensual proclivities. The study highlights productive media consumption habits and can aid in minimizing harassment behaviours. Further research is needed to inculcate success in youth of this digital era.