The relationship between religious orientation and pornography use among students at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2023

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the role of religious orientation in relation to pornography use. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study conducted among students at Kashan University of Medical Sciences during the 2022-2023 academic year. A total of 201 participants from various faculties were selected through a cluster sampling method. Each participant completed the Allport Religious Orientation Questionnaire and the Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPCS). Results: A total of 201 students participated in this study, comprising 125 (62.2%) males and 76 (37.8%) females. All participants reported having access to the internet, with 67.7% using it for 2 to 5 hours per day. The results indicated that 88.4% of the students reported watching pornography, with 11.9% exhibiting problematic viewing behaviors. Additionally, the findings revealed a significant negative correlation between pornography viewing and internal religious orientation among students (r=-0.155, p=0.028). However, no significant relationship was found between pornography viewing and external religious orientation (r=-0.043, p=0.543). Conclusion: Given the relatively high rate of pornography use among students, possessing internal religious beliefs may play a role in reducing pornography use.