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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07772193

Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy for Problematic Pornography Use

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Addiction Behavior Behavior, Addictive Compulsive Behavior Impulsive Behavior

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Medipol University

Istanbul, 34142, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ) Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

    The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) was used to assess difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale consists of 16 items rated from 1 to 5, yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation and therefore a worse outcome.

  2. Trait Shame and Guilt Scale - Shame Subscale Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, and 3-month follow-up

    Shame was assessed using the shame subscale of the Trait Shame and Guilt Scale (TSGS). The mean subscale score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater levels of shame and therefore a worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Harun Ismail Incekara

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Short-Term Psychodynamic Group Therapy for Problematic Pornography Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: PDGT-PPU

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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