Replicating and Extending the Dependency-Resentment Hypothesis
Abstract
The Dependency-Resentment Hypothesis (DRH) proposes a novel rationale for the intercorrelations between heterosexual men's pornography use frequency, problematic pornography use, and hostile attitudes toward women. Analyses of four distinct data sets, generated in Greece, the United States, China, and Italy, have yielded results consistent with the DRH. This letter presents replicative results from a fifth distinct data set, collected in Italy. The possibility that rape myth acceptance should be incorporated into the DRH is also explored. We encourage our fellow pornography scholars to subject the DRH to further evaluations and potential expansions. Subsequent studies using data gathered in other countries and additional methods would be of particular value.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Sexuality
Behavior
and Technology
Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Gender
Feminism
and Media
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 120–124
- Publication date
- 21 January 2026
- Language
- EN