Exploring pornography use in secure hospitals: a qualitative analysis

Mellor, Emily; Duff, Simon

Abstract

Purpose
This research paper reports findings from a qualitative analysis which explored pornography use in secure hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what attitudes staff working in secure hospital have towards patients having access to pornography, how they make decisions regarding access to pornography and what factors they take into account during this process. This research is an extension of a prior quantitative research study (Mellor and Duff, 2019).

Design/methodology/approach
The study utilised a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews to explore professionals’ attitudes towards pornography use in a secure hospital. The sample comprised of six volunteers who had taken part in a previous research study (Mellor and Duff, 2019) requesting to discuss the topic area further. As such this research study was developed. Thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006) was used to analyse the qualitative data and the Attitudes towards Pornography Scale (Evans-DeCicco and Cowan, 2001) was used to collect demographic information.

Findings
Six themes were identified from the transcripts. The first theme explores staff members’ attitudes towards pornography. The second relates to the use of boundaries and monitoring of pornography. The third theme looks at the potential impact that pornography could have on the patient, either positive or negative. The fourth theme explores the extent to which patients are still considered as human beings, whereas the fifth theme explores the vulnerabilities that may make patients more at risk of being negatively influenced by pornography. The final theme looks at decision making regarding access to pornography.

Practical implications
The research offers an insight into how pornography within secure hospitals is managed. The research also provides an exploration into multi-disciplinary team decision making with regard to pornographic material and notes the general openness of staff towards patients having access to pornography.

Originality/value
The findings have important messages for services with regard to policy making. The findings are also relevant for understanding how pornography is managed with in secure hospitals.

Citation

Mellor, E., & Duff, S. (2019). Exploring pornography use in secure hospitals: a qualitative analysis. Journal of Forensic Practice, 21(4), 248-263. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2019-0030

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 11, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 31, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Practice
• Print ISSN: 2050-8794
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 248-263
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2019-0030
• Keywords: pornography; secure hospitals; staff; patients; attitudes; decision making
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2774075
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-07-2019-0030/full/html
• Contract Date: Oct 7, 2019