Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy for Problematic Pornography Use

NCT07772193 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PPU-PDGT-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of short-term psychodynamic group therapy for problematic pornography use in young adult men. Participants were assigned to either a psychodynamic group therapy intervention or a control condition. The intervention consisted of 16 online group therapy sessions. The study examined changes in pornography craving, emotion regulation difficulties, shame, and guilt. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up.

Conditions

Addiction

Keywords

Problematic Pornography Use; Pornography Craving; Psychodynamic Psychotherapy; group Psychotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ) Score

  Pornography craving was assessed using the Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ). Higher scores indicate greater pornography craving.

  Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) Score

  Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

• Trait Shame and Guilt Scale - Shame Subscale Score

  Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Psychodynamic Group Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm received short-term psychodynamic group therapy consisting of 16 online group sessions.

Behavioral: Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to this arm did not receive the psychodynamic group therapy intervention during the study period.

Interventions

Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of 16 online psychodynamic group therapy sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Sessions were conducted in a group format via Google Meet. The intervention focused on psychodynamic exploration of problematic pornography use, including associated emotions, interpersonal patterns, internal conflicts, and difficulties in emotion regulation.

Psychodynamic Group Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male sex
• Aged 18-30 years
• At least a high school education
• Pornography use on at least 3 days per week
• Meeting the study's screening criterion for problematic pornography use
• Providing informed consent and willingness to participate in the intervention and assessments

You may not qualify if:

• Self-reported history of a severe psychiatric disorder
• Self-reported history of substance dependence
• Severe psychological distress requiring individual psychiatric intervention

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Harun Ismail Incekara: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medipol University

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34142, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Behavior, Addictive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 11, 2026
• First Posted: August 19, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)