Mental Health

Open Access: No

Abstract

The rise of loneliness in the modern era has been increasingly linked to interactive internet use, with problematic pornography use (PPU) emerging as a significant concern. Drawing on coping theory and the incentive motivation model, researchers suggest that loneliness and PPU often co-occur. With loneliness emerging as a public health concern and PPU gaining diagnostic recognition, addressing both issues is critical. This study explored the relationship between loneliness and PPU and evaluated the effectiveness of a group-based physical exercise (GBPE) approach in mitigating these challenges. Four studies were conducted. Study 1 (n = 351) found positive cross-sectional relationships between loneliness and PPU. Study 2 (n = 103) employed a cross-lagged panel design, revealing loneliness as a causal factor for increased PPU. Study 3 (n = 28) developed a 4-week moderate-intensity GBPE programme, demonstrating its potential to reduce loneliness, PPU and disrupt their associations. Study 4 (n = 92) replicated the intervention, comparing GBPE with individual exercise and a control group. Results highlighted GBPE’s protective effect, preventing worsening loneliness and PPU over time. While GBPE did not produce significant reductions in loneliness and PPU, it effectively halted their progression, unlike the control group, where both significantly increased. Future research could explore underlying mechanisms and refine the programme for greater effectiveness.

Relevance

The “associations between loneliness and PPU [problematic pornography use] were significant and positive.” The findings also “suggest that loneliness is not an isolated issue but is deeply inter-twined with other mental health and behavioural problems…without intervention, individuals’ loneliness and PPU tend to worsen over time.”

Additionally, the GBPE [group-based physical exercise] intervention stabilized pornography use.

Citation

Lin, Y., Wu, Y., & Peng, K. (2026). Breaking the cycle between loneliness and problematic pornography use: A group-based physical exercise intervention. Applied psychology: Health and well-being, 18(1), Article e70119. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70119