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Article Critique
The Moderating Influence of Moral Disapproval of Pornography on Couples' Sexual and
Relationship Satisfaction by Floyd et al. (2020)
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Abstract
This critique critically offers a brief summary and intensive analysis of the article, The
Moderating Influence of Moral Disapproval of Pornography on Couples' Sexual and
Relationship Satisfaction by Floyd et al. (2020). The article is a randomized study that seeks to
explore the correlational relationships between pornography use, moral disapproval, self-
forgiveness, and sexual shame. The article anchors on methodological clarity, strong
perspectives, credible literature, and authentic research design. The authors also employ a
coherent, clear, and insightful writing style with a logical flow. The findings established in the
paper bear valuable insights that can guide clinical treatment for people living with pornography
use addiction and related problems. The findings could extend to inform pornography regulatory
frameworks for safer and more secure families.
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Article Critique
A. Summary
Topic or issue addressed
Floyd et al. (2020) aim to explore the potential moderating role of self-forgiveness in the
interaction between individual pornography use and sexual shame among individuals in a
committed relationship. More precisely, the research aims to investigate the extent to which one's
ability to forgive self after pornography use, moderates their sexual shame.
Methodology/Research Design
Floyd et al. (2020) is a randomized study. Using a sample of 493 participants (44.6%
females and 55.4% males) who reported using pornography over the last six months, the
researchers measured their levels of pornography use using the Single-Item Questionnaire. Based
on their moral disapproval of pornography using the 4-item Unidimensional Scale, their levels of
sexual shame using the Kyle Inventory of Sexual Shame, and sexual satisfaction using the New
Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS).
Major themes or sub-topics
The study is premised on previous studies establishing that self-forgiveness is an
effective coping strategy for mitigating shame, and that sexual shame can mediate the
relationship between hypersexual behavior and self-forgiveness. Self-forgiveness can help
reduce shame-related distress associated with incongruent behaviors like pornography use. These
issues underscore the main themes and sub-topics of the topic of study.
Explanation of the importance of the topic to the author(s)
The researchers concluded that pornography use among people in committed
relationships intensified sexual shame, which reduced sexual satisfaction and reduced couple
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satisfaction and severed relationship qualities. This research topic is vital since it extends
findings on pornography literature and ultimately associates pornography use with personal and
intrapersonal outcomes.
B. Analysis
Clarity and use of methodology/research design
Research methodology provides researchers with a framework to formulate the research
problems, objectives, and hypotheses to deliver results addressing the identified problems,
objectives, and hypotheses. Floyd et al. (2020) design and methodology discuss in detail each
research method used during the research process, rationalizing how the results at the end will be
obtained in line with the objectives and hypotheses of the study. The research strategy, design,
measures data sources, and population considerations are clearly defined and justified. This level
of organization and detailed methodology is crucial to research of this kind because it makes it
replicable in a different setting to provide context-specific findings.
Author(s) perspective
Floyd et al. (2020) take advantage of the discussion section to offer their personal and
professional insights on the results presented in the previous section. For instance, the
researchers propose that future researchers on pornography use should take it upon themselves to
scrutinize the possible conditions by which pornography contributes to adverse outcomes at
personal and interpersonal levels. The authors' perspectives are critical to social science research
because they allow researchers to present their thoughts, whether critical, supportive, or
controversial, in relation to the findings obtained from the research.
Synthesis/use of supporting research
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The author's choices of supporting literature are specific to each theme and sub-topic
being explored and are age-appropriate to the context of each theme and sub-topic. Further, the
researchers have settled mainly on peer-reviewed studies that meet the credibility test of
research. Readers navigating these sections can gain familiarity with the current knowledge on
the authors' topic and identify the boundaries and gaps extant in that field. To the authors, this
choice of supporting research gives the paper authority and credibility in pornography use
research.
Value of the article as an example of the research design used
The research model and design set the study apart from most designs used in
pornography research. First, the study is unique in that its findings offer evidence of cross-
sectional mediation tendencies in which the interaction between pornography use and
relationship satisfaction is partly affected by sexual shame and sexual satisfaction. To this extent,
the research opens avenues for further research using different models to assess the interactions
between the variables tested in the study.
C. Writing Style of the Article
Coherent and clear
Floyd's et al. (2020) delivery is coherent and clear to the extent that it targets an academic
and professional readership on pornography use and relationship quality. The paper is thesis-
driven from its onset and readers can understand the specific perspectives, ideas, and projections
applied to pornography use, emergent themes, and sub-themes. Further, the paper applies higher-
order thinking to comprehend, identify problems, and express concepts related to the topic,
themes, and subthemes. These features make the author's writing style clear and coherent.
Logical flow
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Although the paper appears to target the scholarly audience specialized in pornography
use-related disciplines, the authors recognize social research's complex and multi-dimensional
aspects. It, therefore, observes a logical flow throughout much of the paper. Except for a few
limitations, Floyd et al. (2020) apply precise and concise words, unambiguous language, well-
structured paragraphs, and clear topic sentences. Doing so enables specialized and non-
specialized readers to navigate the study's line of thinking easily.
Succinct; insightful
While the author strives to use concise and terse words that do not trouble readers, there
are areas throughout the paper where language-specific research jargon is used in ways that can
only be understood by readers within the community of practitioner-researchers. Nonetheless,
these specialist terminologies have been used accurately and applied to accurate contexts in the
article. Doing so makes the paper both insightful and succinct.
D. Conclusion
Explanation of value of article as a topic
The findings established in this article have both domestic and clinical value because it
assesses the correlational influences of pornography use and moral disapproval within
relationship contexts. At domestic levels, the findings point to the positive role of self-
forgiveness in facilitating recovery from pornography use. On the other hand, clinicians can use
the findings to assess and care for individuals seeking recovery from pornography addiction and
its problematic impacts on relationship quality. Therefore, the article holds value within
psychiatry contexts.
A statement identifying the second article you read but did not critique
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The other article I read but did not critique is closely related to Floyd et al. (2020). The
article by Guidry et al. (2020) explored the exacerbating effect of moral disapproval on the
interaction between pornography use, mental health (depression and anxiety), and relationship
satisfaction among committed partners. The authors found that pornography users were likely to
experience adverse personal and interpersonal mental health outcomes, which would, in turn,
negate their relationship satisfaction. Like Floyd et al. (2020), this article contributes valuable
knowledge on the adverse effects of pornography consumption on the quality of intimate
relationships.
Explanation of who would find this helpful and why
The study is an eye-opener to individuals either in committed relationships or who aspire
to get into one but are stifled by pornography use addiction. While the opposing challenges of
pornography use in relationships may be difficult to overcome, this paper creates a society-wide
awareness that could be applied to facilitate self-recovery through self-forgiveness from sexual
shame.
Personal insights
The availability of the internet and digital devices has led to the unprecedented
prevalence of pornographic consumption, even within families. The result of this crisis is that it
reduces relationship trust because it opens spaces for dishonesty and deception. There needs to
be more research investigating how the pornography use crisis affects the integrity of families to
inform policies around pornographic content.
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References
Floyd, C.G., Landa, S., Saunders, M.A., & Volk, Fred. (2020). The Moderating Influence of
Moral Disapproval of Pornography on Couples' Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 47(7), 660–682.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1783409
Guidry, R., Floyd, C.G., Volk, F., & Moen, C.E. (2020). The Exacerbating Impact of Moral
Disapproval on the Relationship Between Pornography Use and Depression, Anxiety, and
Relationship Satisfaction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 46(2), 103–121.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2019.1654579
