Dr. Henry's Research: ACEs and Pornography Use

In 2018, while giving a presentation on the current state of pornography, I became interested in what the relationship might be between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and pornography use. The ACEs questionnaire came out in the late 90’s through an immense research study on how early adversity impacts an adults health. Since then, thousands upon thousands of studies have been done on ACEs and their relationship to disease, addiction, behavioral issues, and so much more in an adults life. But… none had been done on the relationsnhip between ACEs and pornography exposure and use.

So, when I started working on my PhD this became the obvious question for me to answer. After reading hundreds of studies on ACEs, and hundreds of more on pornography use and exposure, I started my quantitative research study in 2022. My research was recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness and I am full of gratitude in presenting it here.

So, what do adverse childhood experiences - like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction - have to do with pornography use in adulthood, as well as with the age of exposure to pornography? It turns out, quite a lot.

This study found that there is statistical significance of positive associations in the relationship between ACEs, age of exposure to pornography, and pornography consumption. Meaning, the more adversities in childhood - particularly when not feeling safely connected to a loving adult - means there is a higher vulnerability to exposure of pornography at an earlier age, and a higher vulnerability to the use of pornography in adulthood (among males).

What this means practically is that if you have unwanted pornography use in your life, it’s essential that you address the underlying components that create that vulnerability - namely, feeling safe and secure, both in yourself and with others.

If you find yourself struggling with unhealthy pornography use or with unwanted sexual behaviors, you can check out our resource page below.

If you are interested in hearing Dr. Henry discuss this research in depth, be sure to check out the video below.

Dr. Henry’s discussion of his research on ACEs and pornography use.