Mental Health
Women’s experience with religion and spirituality when perceiving their husband’s pornography use as problematic: A qualitative study.
Open Access: No.
Abstract
Background: Several recent studies concerning men’s pornography use have challenged past research conclusions that male pornography use negatively impacts relational outcomes in heterosexual relationships. While extant literature has explored the intersection of religion and men’s experience with pornography consumption, the impact on religious wives has primarily been understudied. Purpose: The present study examined the impact of a husband’s problematic pornography use on a religious woman’s spirituality and religiosity. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 women who self-identified as religious women. Faith traditions of the participants include Catholic, Jewish, Latter-day Saint, Native American Spiritual, non-denominational Christians, Protestant Christians, and Spiritual. The data was analyzed using interpretive phenomenology, a qualitative methodology. Results: Using a feminist hermeneutics theoretical lens to analyze the data in a way that gives preference for the woman’s experience, three primary themes emerged: Wrestle with Religion, Relationships that Facilitate Healing, and Spiritual Growth. Nine subthemes were identified, including Influence of Religious Culture, Unmet Expectations of Religious Leaders, Challenges to Faith, Support from Inside the Religion, Recognizing the Need for Support Outside the Religion, Women Need Women for Healing, Divine Assistance, Relationship with God, and A Journey of Growth and Transformation. Conclusions & Implications: These primary themes and subthemes provide a rich description of the religious context, means to healing, and resilience that characterize religious women’s experiences after discovering a husband’s problematic pornography use. Most importantly, the authors discuss significant implications for religious leaders and clinicians seeking to provide culturally sensitive care to distressed women.
Relevance
The findings of our study reveal the impact that emotional and relational stress may have on a woman’s spiritual health and religiosity. The participants in the present study revealed several areas for growth.
First, while religion provided sexual guidelines, the women understood little about pornography and even less about healthy sexuality other than the instruction to wait until marriage to engage in sexual intercourse. Religious leaders should strongly consider how they might provide education and a vision for how couples can engage sexually in healthy and fulfilling ways.
Second, religious leaders can be a powerful influence for good have when they have empathy, refer to professionals for mental health issues, and acknowledge the female experience.
Third, healing took place when another person could understand their experience as both a woman and a religious person and provide them psychoeducation and coping and relationship skills.
Fourth, sexual shame is prevalent and potentially more severe in a religious context. Many participants isolated themselves from families and friends. Peer groups provided sympathy and a place where they could be vulnerable and share their stories without fear of judgment.
Lastly, participants demonstrated that despite the resources and help available, they developed resilience through their spirituality.
Citation
Hastings, H. F., Lucero Jones, R., & Dutton, C. (2024). Women’s experience with religion and spirituality when perceiving their husband’s pornography use as problematic: A qualitative study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(4), 730-753. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231213610
