The PPCS is a self-report questionnaire grounded in addiction science, specifically Griffiths’ (2005) six-component model—salience (porn dominating thoughts), mood modification (using it to cope), tolerance (needing more), withdrawal (restlessness without it), conflict (life disruptions), and relapse (failed cutback attempts). With 18 questions, it’s one of the most comprehensive tools for assessing problematic pornography use, developed by Bőthe et al. (2018) after testing it with over 700 people. It’s not just about how often you watch—it digs into how pornography shapes your thoughts, feelings, and daily life.”

What makes it trustworthy? Researchers checked its reliability with something called Cronbach’s alpha—a score that shows how well the questions work together to measure the same thing. Think of it like a recipe: if all the ingredients blend smoothly, you get a consistent dish every time. For the PPCS, this score is between 0.93 and 0.96—really high, close to a perfect 1.0. In simple terms, it means the test is steady and dependable: you’d likely get similar results if you took it again, assuming your habits haven’t changed. It’s like a ruler that measures the same length each time you use it.

In my Sydney practice, I value its depth—it’s not about shaming anyone but understanding what’s happening. Unlike simpler screens, it captures the full picture of addiction, from emotional reliance to escalating patterns. It’s been validated across cultures, so whether you’re here in Australia or elsewhere, it’s a solid tool for spotting risk. That reliability—backed by that high Cronbach’s alpha—means I can trust it to help clients like you get clear answers.