Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

Analyzing the impact of COVID-19 anxiety on pornography addiction among high school students: The mediating role of self-regulation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Shahrzad Sanjari 1
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi Soleimani 2
Alireza Kikha 2
Pouran Allahbakhshi Nasab 1
Habibollah Kord 2
Abdolhakim Khozai Feyzabad 3
Habibollah Rostami 4
1 Dept. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
2 Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Department of Education, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran.
10.22038/jfmh.2025.86911.3232
Abstract
Introduction: Pornography addiction is a rising concern among adolescents. This study explored how COVID-19 anxiety affects pornography addiction through self-regulation.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted among all high school students in Tehran-Iran during the 2024-2025 academic year. Participants were selected through a multistage cluster sampling method. Based on Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 550 students was estimated, and finally, 532 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Data were collected using the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, the Self-Regulation Questionnaire, and the Problematic Pornography Use Scale. The data were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using LISREL version 8.80.
Results: Path analysis results revealed that COVID-19 anxiety had a positive and significant direct effect on pornography addiction (β= 0.54, t= 21.38, P< 0.001). Moreover, COVID-19 anxiety indirectly influenced pornography addiction through a reduction in self-regulation (β= 0.27, t= 4.92, P< 0.01). There was also a significant negative relationship between self-regulation and pornography addiction (β= –0.33, t= –8.47, P< 0.001), indicating that higher self-regulation was associated with lower tendencies toward excessive pornography consumption.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that COVID-19 anxiety is a crucial factor in increasing adolescents’ addictive behaviors, while enhancing self-regulation can mitigate this effect. Therefore, educational and counseling programs aimed at reducing anxiety and improving self-control are recommended for school settings.
Keywords
Adolescents
COVID-19 anxiety
Pornography addiction
Self-regulation
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 195-203