Change through Stillness: Qualitative explorations of heterosexual men as they utilise meditation as an intervention for self-perceived problematic pornography use A thesis submitted to the Auckland University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2020 School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies Faculty of Health and Environmental Science Auckland University of Technology By Luke Sniewski Primary Supervisor: Dr. Panteá Farvid Secondary Supervisor: Dr. Phil Carter Third Supervisor: Dr. Rita Csako Table of Contents List of Figures ......................................................................................................... 5 List of Tables .......................................................................................................... 6 Attestation of Authorship ...................................................................................... 7 Qualitative Statement of Supervisor .................................................................... 7 Co-Authored Works .............................................................................................. 8 Works in Publications........................................................................................................................................ 8 Conference Presentations ................................................................................................................................ 8 Candidate Contributions to Co-Authored Papers ............................................ 10 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................ 11 Ethical Approval .................................................................................................. 12 Abstract ................................................................................................................. 13 Pre-Script .............................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 1 – Introduction ..................................................................................... 18 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 18 1.2 Rationale and Research Aims............................................................................................................... 21 1.3 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................ 22 1.4 Thesis Structure and Organisation .................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 2 – Literature Review ........................................................................... 25 2.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2 The Assessment and Treatment of Adult Heterosexual Men with Self-Perceived Problematic Pornography Use: A Review .............................................................................................. 26 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Early Exposure and Antecedents ............................................................................................................ 29 Correlations, Associations, and Effects ................................................................................................. 31 Problematic Pornography Use ............................................................................................................... 34 Method ............................................................................................................................................................. 35 Results ............................................................................................................................................................. 36 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................................... 38 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................... 44 2.3 Meditation as a Catalyst for Behavioural Change ........................................................................ 45 Chapter 3 – Research Design, Methodology, and Methods ............................. 50 3.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................................................... 50 3.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 50 3.3 Study Design ............................................................................................................................................... 51 3.4 Participants ................................................................................................................................................. 52 3.5 Research Methods..................................................................................................................................... 54 3.6 BYOG Guided Meditation Intervention ............................................................................................ 58 3.7 Ethical Concerns ........................................................................................................................................ 61 Chapter 4 – Pilot Study Results Summary ........................................................ 65 2 4.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................................................... 65 4.2 Results ........................................................................................................................................................... 65 4.3 Discussion .................................................................................................................................................... 67 4.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 72 Chapter 5 – The Problem with Problematic Pornography Use: A Researcher’s Reflection ....................................................................................... 73 5.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................................................... 73 5.2 Reflection Article ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Chapter 6 – Hidden in Shame: Heterosexual Men’s Experiences of Self- Perceived Problematic Pornography Use .......................................................... 78 6.1 Prelude .......................................................................................................................................................... 78 6.2 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 78 6.3 Method ........................................................................................................................................................... 81 6.4 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 83 6.5 Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 104 Chapter 7 - Abstinence or Acceptance? A Case Series Examining the Experiences of Men as they Intervene with Problematic Pornography Use 108 7.1 Prelude ....................................................................................................................................................... 108 7.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 109 7.3 Method ........................................................................................................................................................ 111 7.4 Results ........................................................................................................................................................ 114 7.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................................................. 121 7.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 128 Chapter 8 – Meditation as an Intervention for Men with Self-Perceived Problematic Pornography Use: A Series of Single Case Studies ................... 130 8.1 Prelude ....................................................................................................................................................... 130 8.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................