What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore and summarize existing literature on problematic pornography use (PPU) in the Middle East, highlighting cultural influences.

February 27, 2026Open Access

Problematic Pornography Use in the Middle East: What We Know and What We Don't - A Scoping Review.

Key Points

To explore and summarize existing literature on problematic pornography use (PPU) in the Middle East, highlighting cultural influences.
Conducted a comprehensive scoping review of empirical literature on PPU from international and regional databases.
Screened 216 records to identify 39 studies that met inclusion criteria.
Focused predominantly on cross-sectional studies with various definitions of PPU.
Identified PPU as a significant mental health issue in the region, predominantly studied in Israel and Iran.
Highlighted that Arab countries are underrepresented in the existing research on PPU.
Noted several negative mental health associations linked to PPU, alongside numerous methodological limitations in the studies.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review: Problematic pornography use (PPU) has become an increasingly recognized mental health concern worldwide. Nonetheless, empirical research remains heavily concentrated in Western or East Asian contexts, leaving the Middle East – where cultural and sexual norms may shape PPU differently – largely underexplored. Therefore, a comprehensive scoping review of the entire empirical literature on PPU in the Middle East was conducted across international and regional databases. Recent Findings: Of 216 records screened, 39 studies met inclusion criteria. These included mostly cross-sectional studies with various conceptualizations of PPU, depicting a variety of negative mental health associations. Most contributions originated from Israel and Iran, with Arab countries being markedly underrepresented. Summary: PPU emerged as a significant regional issue associated with adverse mental health outcomes, although substantial methodological limitations were identified. More rigorous research, particularly from Arab countries, is urgently needed. We recommend scale validation efforts, census-matched sampling, clinical investigations, and longitudinal designs to capture the complexity of PPU in this region. We also call for greater international collaboration and offer our support to researchers committed to advancing this field. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conflict of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. Funding: JM and RE were funded by dtec.bw – Digitalization and Technology Research Center of the Bundeswehr. dtec.bw is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. SWK was supported by the Kindbridge Research Institute. BB was supported by the FRQSC – Research Support for New Academics (NP) Program (https://doi.org/10.69777/343918). BB is a researcher at the Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Problèmes Conjugaux et les Agressions Sexuelles, supported by the FRQSC - Regroupements stratégiques / Centre - fonctionnement (https://doi.org/10.69777/281155).

Problematic Pornography Use in the Middle East: What We Know and What We Don't - A Scoping Review.

Key Points

Abstract

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