Perceived Level of Academic Stress and Pornography Viewing of Male College Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2026.072Keywords:
Academic stress, College students, Pornography viewing, Stress coping, Students’ behaviorAbstract
This study examined the perceived level of academic stress and pornography viewing among male college students and determined the significant relationship between the two variables. Although academic stress and pornography consumption have independently been associated with students’ psychological and behavioral outcomes, the relationship between these variables remains insufficiently understood, particularly in relation to how students utilize behavioral coping mechanisms in response to academic pressure. Amid increasing global, national, and local concerns regarding pornography consumption and its possible effects on students’ psychological and academic functioning, a research gap exists on how perceived academic stress relates to pornography viewing, particularly in the Philippine higher education context, where the topic remains highly stigmatized and underexplored. The study specifically aimed to determine (1) the perceived level of academic stress in terms of frequency and awareness, (2) the level of pornography viewing in terms of acceptance, frequency, and motivation, and (3) the relationship between academic stress and pornography viewing among respondents. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 69 male students selected through stratified random sampling from a population of 83. Data were gathered using the Student Academic Stress Scale (SASS) and a validated researcher-made questionnaire, and analyzed using means, standard deviations, and Pearson product-moment correlations at the 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed a high level of academic stress (M = 3.88) and a high level of pornography viewing in terms of acceptance and motivation, with moderate frequency (M = 3.55). A moderate, positive, significant relationship was found between academic stress and pornography viewing (p < 0.05), indicating that higher academic stress is associated with increased pornography viewing. The findings suggest that pornography may serve as a coping mechanism for academic stress among male students, highlighting the need for interventions that promote healthier coping strategies and student well-being.
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