Search

BACKGROUND Transversal grouping of addictions under the heading "Substance related and addictive disorders" in the DSM-5 has led to a common policy on addictions and the promotion of addiction services covering all types of addictions, including behavioral addictions. MATERIAL AND METHODS The main objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of problem gambling in a population of patients seeking treatment in addictive disorders center. Secondary objectives were: to describe the use of Internet and the prevalence of gaming disorder, sexual addiction and compulsive buying online ; to describe a population of patients consulting in addictive disorders center; to explore associated factors related to problem gambling. A self-questionnaire was built, evaluating the socio-demographic elements, the addiction pathway, problem gambling and Internet use with a focus on video game disorder, sexual addiction and compulsive buying. It was offered to consultants from five addictology centers in Brittany. RESULTS 252 patients seeking treatment for addictive disorders were included. Problem gambling was present in 9.9 % of patients. Problem gamblers were more likely to have been asked about their gambling by the addictology team than other patients. The rate of identification of gambling habits, whether in addiction or outside, was generally low. Internet use was 83 %. The prevalence of other online behavioral addictions was low. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The prevalence of problem gambling is almost 4 times higher among addictology consultants, compared to the general population, probably related to addictive comorbidities. The identification of gambling habits concerned a small proportion of the patients included, whether in specialized care or outside. There is significant room for improvement in the identification of problem gambling, in addictology and beyond. It is important to question gambling habits for any reason for addiction consultation and to repeat this identification over time. As the Internet is widely used by addictology consultants, it can represent a key element in care, both in the identification of behavioral addictions and in follow-up.

The social problem that is rife today is related to the impact of pornography on social media among children and adolescents. Pornography has a very big danger, especially teenagers. Adolescent psychology is still unstable and the growth of sexual hormones in adolescents, making pornography has a danger (negative impact) is very large on adolescents. Not only drugs that contain addictions, pornography also makes viewers addicted / addicted. For teens, addicted to porn sites (cybersex) will make learning rhythm become chaotic. In general, addiction to porn sites will have a negative impact on one's character. Based on research by Bingham and Piotrowski in the Psychological Report entitled On-line Sexual Addiction, the character of people who are addicted to cybersex are: Inadequate social skills, preferring to wrestle with sexual fantasy, engrossed in communication with the characters created by him. own imagination, and unable to control themselves not to access porn sites and forget time. The results of a Child Protection Commission (KPA) survey of 4,500 teenagers revealed, 97 percent of teens had watched or accessed pornography and 93 percent kissed their lips. Like chemical addiction, pornography addicts tend to replace something important with sex or other forms of pornography. People who are addicted to pornography usually use media such as magazines, porn videos or most often is the internet. Adolescents who generally still live with parents, therefore the role of supervision from parents is needed to provide an understanding of the use of social media wisely and directed to use social media positively. Parents can only provide gadgets as an easy access for their children to explore YouTube social media, but basically they also lack understanding about the media so there is still a lack of awareness for parents to control the content that their children see and consume on social media YouTube. Therefore, the need for media literacy training among adolescents is a form of prevention of the impact of pornography on YouTube social media in Kembangan Utara.

Günümüzde bağımlılık olgusunun sadece psikoaktif bir maddeden değil, bazı davranışların yarattığı haz ve rahatlama hissinden de kaynaklanabileceği bilinmektedir. Terapötik toplumda diğer davranışsal bağımlılıklara göre kabul edilmesi daha zor olan cinsel bağımlılık psikolojik bir rahatsızlıktır. Bağımlı bireyler ve çevrelerindeki kişiler üzerinde son derece yıkıcı etkilere sahiptir. Oysa 21. yüzyılda kompulsif cinsel davranışlar medikal bağlamda daha iyi anlaşılabilir ve bağımlı kişiler buna göre tedavi edilebilirdi. 2000’ler sonrası uluslararası alanyazında konuyla ilgili yapılan çalışmalar arttığı halde Türkiye’de cinsel bağımlılıkla ilgili neredeyse hiç çalışma yapılmamıştır. Bu sebeple bu çalışmada cinsel bağımlılık hakkında kapsamlı bir alanyazın taraması yapılmış ve elde edilen veriler belli bir çerçeve içinde sunulmuştur. Öncelikle cinsel bağımlılık rahatsızlığı açıklanmış, fenomenolojik özellikleri, karakteristikleri ve tanı kriterleri belirtilmiştir. Daha sonra alanyazındaki isimlendirme anlaşmazlıklarına, alternatif isim önerilerine ve sınıflandırılma sorunsalına, semptomolojisine, doğurduğu sonuçlar ve etkilerine, tedavi yöntemlerine, etiyolojisi ve etiyolojisine ilişkin yapılan çalışmalara yer verilmiştir. Etiyolojik çalışmalar kronolojik olarak 70’ler ve 80’ler, 90’lı yıllar ve 2000’ler ve sonrası olarak gruplandırılmış ve bu şekilde uluslararası alanyazında cinsel bağımlılık olgusuyla ilgili varolan verilere ilişkin gelişme ve ilerlemenin görülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu bilgiler ışığında cinsel bağımlılığın Türkiye’de araştırılmasının gerekliliği tartışılmış ve önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

Sexual sensation seeking (SSS) describes an individual’s tendency to seek novel and risky sexual stimulation. In research, SSS has been measured through the Sexual Sensation Seeking scale or by exa...

Background Social communication disorder (SCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes communication difficulties. Literature linking SCD and addictions is scarce, and there are only a few case reports regarding the co-occurrence of addiction and autism disorder spectrum, and only one of them addressed behavioural addictions. Case presentation We report MC’s case, who displayed an SCD and sexual addiction (SA). Clinical and neuropsychological evaluations suggested an alteration of social cognition, especially of affective theory of mind. This article also presents the adaptation made of the usual treatment. Discussion This case report illustrates the importance of social cognition abilities in the development and maintenance of behavioural addictions, and specifically SA. It also highlights the possible comorbidity of these two disorders and the possibility to work on social cognition as an alternate therapy in the treatment of behavioural addictions. Conclusions The co-occurrence of SCD and a behavioural addiction triggered clinical adaptations and implications that may affect a patient’s treatment presenting one of these disorders.

Cybersex addiction is a sexual addiction characterized by virtual Internet sexual activity that causes serious negative consequences to one’s physical, mental, social, and/or financial well-being. ...

This study explored the stigma toward individuals with sexual addiction and how it compared to gambling addiction, alcohol addiction, and depression in both males and females. Undergraduate student...

Introduction. – The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) is one of the most frequently used tools on the international level for assessing sexual addiction. This study aimed to translate the English version of the SAST, and adapt and test the psychometric properties of its French version (the SAST-Fr) by establishing its factor structure, internal consistency and convergent validity.Methods. – Three hundred ninety eight voluntary participants were recruited online through specialized forums. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the SAST-Fr and the diagnostic criteria of sexual addiction proposed by Goodman. We tested the psychometric properties of SAST-Fr through an exploratory factorial analysis, especially its internal consistency, using the Kuder-Richardson alpha (KR-20) given that the items were dichotomous. We also performed correlation analyses of Bravais-Pearson on numerical variables. Finally, we studied the predictive validity of Goodman’s score in predicting SAST-Fr criteria using a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) analysis., Introduction. – Le SAST (Sexual Addiction Screening Test) est l’un des outils les plus fréquemment utilisés sur un plan international pour évaluer l’addiction sexuelle. L’objectif de cette étude est de traduire la version anglophone du SAST, d’adapter et d’analyser les qualités psychométriques de sa version francophone (le SAST-Fr) et la validité convergente de cette dernière.Méthodes. – Notre étude a porté sur 398 sujets recrutés sur internet grâce à des forums spécialisés. Nous avons proposé à ces derniers un questionnaire incluant des données sociodémographiques, le SASTFr et les critères d’addiction sexuelle selon Goodman. Nous avons testé les qualités psychométriques du SAST-Fr à travers une analyse factorielle exploratoire, notamment sa consistance interne à l’aide du coefficient Kuder-Richardson (KR-20). Nous avons effectué des analyses de corrélations de Bravais Pearson sur les variables numériques. Enfin, nous avons étudié la validité prédictive du score de Goodman dans la prédiction des critères du SAST-Fr, à travers une analyse ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics). Résultats. – L’âge moyen des participants était de 29,08 ans (f 11,30) incluant 54 % de femmes (n = 215). L’analyse statistique montre que le SAST-Fr possède une structure mono-factorielle expliquant 31 % de la variance, une excellente consistance interne (KR-20 = 0,90). Les scores aux items du SAST-Fr sont fortement corrélés à ceux des critères de Goodman (r = 0,79 ; p < 0,001).Conclusion. – Nos résultats indiquent que le SAST-Fr possède des propriétés psychométriques proches de la version originale anglophone. Il est un outil fiable et valide, qui facilite le repérage des symptômes de l’addiction sexuelle.

Background Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is a common disorder affecting different areas of life, although studies focusing on pharmacological treatment are sparse. Aim To investigate whether the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and can provide symptom reduction in CSBD. Methods Twenty men aged 27–60 years (mean = 38.8 years, standard deviation = 10.3) with CSBD seeking treatment in an outpatient nonforensic clinic received four weeks of naltrexone 25–50 mg. Measurements were made before, during, and four weeks after treatment. Outcomes The self-assessment Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD: CAS) score was the primary outcome measure, and secondary outcomes were the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) score, reported adverse effects, adherence to treatment, and dropouts. Results There was significant decrease on both HD: CAS and HBI scores during treatment with naltrexone. Even though some of the effects remained after treatment, the increased scores on HD: CAS indicated worsening of CSBD symptoms. The most reported side effects were fatigue (55%), nausea (30%), vertigo (30%), and abdominal pain (30%). However, there were no serious adverse effects leading to discontinuation of naltrexone. Clinical Implications Despite side effects being common, naltrexone seems to be feasible in the treatment of CSBD. Strengths & Limitations Being the first nonforensic prospective trial on naltrexone in CSBD, this study provides novel insights on a pharmacological intervention. However, owing to the small sample size and the lack of a control group, conclusions of effectiveness should be interpreted with caution. Conclusion Naltrexone is feasible and tolerable and may reduce symptoms of CSBD; nevertheless, future studies should ensure a randomized controlled procedure to evaluate possible effectiveness.

Background Some conceptualizations of hypersexuality posit boredom as a possible trigger of hypersexual behavior. Aim This work aims to review published articles addressing the link between boredom and hypersexuality to investigate if this relationship can yet be established based on current empirical data. Methods This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies, published until September 2019, were retrieved from EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. A systematic search was conducted using an exhaustive list of key terms combining “boredom” with “hypersexuality,” “sexual impulsivity,” “sexual compulsivity,” and “sexual addiction.” Only articles presenting empirical results concerning the relationship between boredom and hypersexuality were considered. Results From the initial poll of 76 articles, only 19 articles were included in our final selection. Of the total studies, 16 were quantitative studies and 3 were qualitative studies. 4 studies were validation studies of hypersexuality-related measures, 11 studies concerned online sexual activity, and 3 reported sexual boredom. 7 studies with men used non-heterosexual samples. 5 studies used samples with both women and men, and 1 study used a sample of women only. Most studies indicate a positive association between boredom and hypersexuality, although 4 did not. Implications Further studies with diversified samples are still indispensable, as female samples are not portrayed and research is much focused on online sexual activity. Future research should explore the relationship between boredom and hypersexuality within specific behavioral specifiers including masturbation, pornography use, sexual behavior with consenting adults, cybersex, telephone sex, and strip clubs. Strengths and limitations To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review looking at the possible link between boredom and hypersexuality. Investigation on the topic is scarce, and several of the studies included in this review correspond to anecdotal evidences of the phenomenon, as only few studies used appropriate measures of boredom. Conclusion Although current literature identifies a link between boredom and hypersexuality, further substantive research is still much needed to clarify the associations between the 2 constructs. de Oliveira L, Carvalho J. The Link Between Boredom and Hypersexuality: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2020;17:994–1004.

Background and aims Compulsive sexual behavior is characterized by extensive sexual behavior and unsuccessful efforts to control excessive sexual behavior. The aim of the studies was to investigate compulsivity, anxiety and depression and impulsivity and problematic online sexual activities among adult males and females who use the Internet for finding sexual partners and using online pornography. Methods Study 1- 177 participants including 143 women M = 32.79 years (SD = 9.52), and 32 men M = 30.18 years (SD = 10.79). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Spielberger Trait-State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T STAI-S) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Study 2- 139 participants including 98 women M = 24 years (SD = 5) and 41 men M = 25 years (SD = 4). The impulsivity questionnaire (BIS/BAS), Problematic online sexual activities (s-IAT-sex) and Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST). Results Study 1- Multiple regression analysis has indicated that a model which included BDI, Y-BOCS, and STAI scores contributed to the variance of sexual addiction rates, and explained 33.3% of the variance. Study 2- Multiple regression analysis indicated that BIS/BAS and s-IAT scores contributed to the variance of sexual addiction rates, and explained 33% of the variance. Discussion and conclusions Obsessive-compulsive symptoms contributed to sexual addiction among individuals who use the Internet for finding sexual partners. Impulsivity and problematic online sexual activity contributed to ratings of sex addiction. These studies support the argument that sex addiction lies on the impulsive-compulsive scale and could be classified as a behavioral addiction.

Sex is an integral part of human behavior but what constitutes healthy versus pathological sexual behavior can vastly differ between individuals and remains a topic of wide debate. What is not deba...

The purpose of this study was to both provide additional evidence of the psychometric properties of the Trauma Inventory for Partners of Sex Addicts (TIPSA), and add empirical evidence for the appl...

Chemsex is an escalating public health issue among men who have sex with men, with potentially severe somatic and psychiatric consequences. Given the limited knowledge and lack of treatment recommendations available in this area, we proposed the use of noninvasive brain stimulation in order to reduce problematic chemsex behavior. This is the first open-label case report of a positive effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a patient who was complaining of severe chemsex addiction. Total disappearance of chemsex behavior occurred after 5 days of daily sessions of right prefrontal cortex stimulation and did not return after 8 months of follow-up. The strengthening of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity may have modulated limbic pathways and reduced incentive salience and craving of both sexual addiction and concomitant illicit drug use. .El Chemsex es un problema de salud pública creciente entre los hombres homosexuales, con consecuencias somáticas y psiquiátricas potencialmente graves. Dados el conocimiento limitado y la falta de recomendaciones de tratamiento disponibles en esta área, propusimos el uso de estimulación cerebral no invasiva para reducir los comportamientos problemáticos relacionados con el chemsex. Este es el primer informe de caso clínico abierto que muestra un efecto positivo de la estimulación transcraneal de corriente directa (tDCS) en un paciente que se quejaba de una adicción grave al chemsex. La desaparición total de los comportamientos relacionados con el chemsex se produjo después de 5 días de sesiones diarias de estimulación de la corteza prefrontal derecha y no regresó después de 8 meses de seguimiento. El aumento de la actividad de la corteza prefrontal dorsolateral puede haber modulado las vías límbicas y reducido la prominencia del incentivo y los antojos asociados tanto con la adicción sexual como con el uso concurrente de drogas ilícitas.Le chemsex est un problème de santé publique croissant chez les hommes ayant des relations homosexuelles, aux conséquences somatiques et psychiatriques potentiellement graves. Compte tenu des connaissances limitées et du manque de recommandations de traitement disponibles dans ce domaine, nous avons proposé l'utilisation de stimulation cérébrale non invasive afin de réduire les comportements problématiques liés au chemsex. C'est le premier rapport de cas clinique ouvert montrant un effet positif du courant continu transcrânien stimulation (tDCS) chez un patient qui se plaignait d'une grave dépendance au chemsex. La disparition totale des comportements liés au chemsex est survenue après 5 jours de séances quotidiennes de stimulation du cortex préfrontal droit et n'est pas revenue après 8 mois de suivi. Le renforcement de l'activité du cortex préfrontal dorsolatéral peut avoir modulé les voies limbiques et réduit la saillance incitative et les état de manque liés tant à la dépendance sexuelle qu’à l’usage concomitant de drogues illicites.

We decided to explore the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors, according to three levels of severity of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB), namely, non-sexually compulsive (1), sexually compulsive (2), and sexually compulsive, and hypersexual (3). We also investigated the impact of a psychiatric co-morbidity on the Framingham heart risk score (FRS). 94 non-sexually compulsive, 57 sexually compulsive, and 60 hypersexual individuals underwent psychiatric interview, blood collection, self-responsiveness, and anthropometric measurement. The analyses were repeated with individuals aged up to 44 and aged more than 44 years old. Regarding the total sample, we observed significant association among those sexually compulsive, and hypersexual participants with presenting the HIV serologic status, and a greater proportion of psychiatric conditions as much as the severity of CSB increases. Individuals with substance-related disorder predicted higher Framingham scores. The analyses with people aged more than 44 years old presented some different results, such as association among presenting low FRS and the sexually compulsive participants, and sexual compulsivity predicted lower scores of the Framingham. The study points out to the relevance of comprehensive psychiatric examination of whom presenting CSB and opens an avenue forward investigation of the effect of high rates of sexual activity on cardiovascular risk.

This article analyzes selected aspects of the construct of sexoholism as a manifestation of behavioral addiction on the basis of an interdisciplinary approach. It emphasizes the role of sensuality and selectivity of a healthy person in the sexual life. The emphasis is put on defining problems of sexoholism and the identification of its specific, characteristic features that distinguish it from other similar concept. Historical and diagnostic aspects of the study of the construct of erotomania are also described. The article analyzes various triggers that may affect the onset of sexual addiction: somatic, mental, social, situational.

Anonymous retrospective data were input by 2,828 female and 1,556 male adult study participants using a study-specific computer program. Although adult males were more likely than adult females to ...

Sexual addiction risk may be elevated by personality maladjustment. The Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID) was identified in the DSM-5 as an exemplar for future personality research. The bri...

Self-perceived problematic pornography use (SPPPU) has recently become an important area for sexual addiction and compulsivity research. Heterosexual men with SPPPU report a lack of supportive or a...

The article describes various manifestations of hypersexuality, its criteria, signs of sexual addiction, its adverse effect on the psychological, mental and somatic health of sexual addicts and their spouses, relationship between them. Also different negative social consequences of sexual addiction are submitted. The adverse effects of pornography and porn addiction on health of adolescents, the formation of their personality and views are described. The depth beliefs of sexual addicts (men and women) are submitted which testify to their intrapersonal problems.

It has recently been proposed that compulsive sexual behavior disorder should be included in the 11th version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Concerns have been repeatedly expressed regarding the overpathologizing of sexual behaviors and the potential for false-positive results in clinical practice. Empirical evidence indicates that stereotypes related to gender and sexual orientation might influence therapists' assessments of clients. Those stereotypes are likely to be associated with different levels of pathologization and stigmatization of high levels of sexual interest and behavior. The aim of this study was to explore the possible connections between clients' gender and sexual orientation and mental health professionals' (MHP) pathologization of compulsive sexual behavior. A sample of MHPs (N = 546) were presented with a case vignette describing a client with compulsive sexual behavior. The information on the client varied by gender (male or female), sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual), and clinical condition (ambiguous diagnostic criteria and fulfilled compulsive sexual behavior disorder diagnostic criteria). After reading the vignette, the MHPs rated the client's mental health status and gave an opinion about causation (psychological vs. biological etiology) and stigmatization indicators (blaming the affected individual for their problems, desire for social distance, perception of dangerousness). The MHPs showed significantly fewer tendencies to pathologize when the client was a homosexual woman or man independent of their clinical condition. Mediation analyses revealed that the biological etiological model partly mediated the effects of reduced pathologization in homosexual clients. These results indicate that clinical decisions relating to compulsive sexual behavior are influenced by nosologically irrelevant beliefs about the biological causation of sexual behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual assault and other forms of abuse on a young child and its psychological aftermath cascades down through the decades of a person’s life. Apart from shattering the mind and sense of selfhood, it later manifests in what we would consider as the client’s repetitive, reckless, and self-harming behaviour. When working with clients with complex trauma, we soon learn that paradoxically these harmful ways carry meaning and make sense within the context of the child having spent the majority of their time with an abusive, frightening, and unpredictable attachment figure I named “scaregiver” (Badouk Epstein, 2015). Fran, a survivor of familial organised abuse, was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). She had many parts, some suicidal, some had an eating disorder, some parts were disabled and others very capable. This paper focuses on Fran’s sexual part and consequently her sex addiction. While still in recovery, the secure base and the relational journey which we embarked upon demonstrate how a non-pathologising and non-objectifying approach to the client’s many attachment cries eventually paved the way towards the growth of a sense of safety, intersubjectivity, and the abandonment of her sex addiction.

Introduction Human sexuality is a multidimensional phenomenon related to several factors, such as self-esteem, awareness of sexual needs, and ability to communicate them to others. Aim To examine the sexual characteristics of patients seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD)—a clinical diagnosis recently included in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases classification. Methods We have investigated the sexual characteristics of 72 Polish men seeking treatment for CSBD compared with 208 men from the Polish general population. Main Outcome Measures The Multidimensional Sexual Questionnaire–PL was used to examine 12 sexual aspects of human sexuality. The severity of CSBD symptoms was assessed using Sexual Addiction Screening Test–PL, and the severity of problematic pornography use was measured by Brief Pornography Screener. Results Results show that CSBD patients (when compared with the general population) exhibit higher sexual anxiety, sexual depression, external sexual control, and fear of sexual relationship. Furthermore, CSBD severity is negatively related to sexual esteem, internal sexual control, sexual consciousness, sexual assertiveness, and sexual satisfaction. Clinical Implications Our findings suggest that the impairment of the abovementioned dimensions warrant attention during clinical work and future studies on CSBD. Strengths & Limitations This study was limited to men, most of whom self-identified as heterosexual. Future research should include women and non-heterosexual identified individuals. Conclusion Sexual esteem, consciousness, assertiveness, satisfaction and internal sexual control are commonly affected among CSBD individuals and should be properly addressed during the clinical interview and treatment intervention.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of early childhood maltreatment and associations with later sexual behavior among adult substance users. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 134 substance dependents who sought outpatient care in São Paulo, Brazil. Childhood trauma prevalence was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), drug of choice (DOC), and sexual behavior were also investigated. Results: The sample was composed predominantly of single adult males (76.1%), with alcohol as the DOC (73.9%). Experiences of emotional neglect (88.1%), emotional abuse (80.6%), physical neglect (78.4%), physical abuse (64.2%), and sexual abuse (31.3%) were prevalent. Women were more likely to have been sexually abused (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.15-7.61) and physically abused (OR 3.7, 95%CI 1.31-10.6) in childhood. Those who were sexually abused in adulthood were more likely to have suffered physical abuse in childhood (OR 6.9, 95%CI 1.45-11.8). The odds of having been sexually abused in childhood were higher among subjects who reported to have exchanged sexual favors for drugs (OR 5.7, 95%CI 1.35-9.64) and to have been sexually abused in adulthood (OR 6.1, 95%CI 5.2-12.36). Conclusion: Physical and sexual abuse in childhood are highly prevalent in substance-dependent adults, and are associated with sexual revictimization and high-risk sexual behavior in adulthood.

This editorial presents some recent developments in the field of sexual health, including the acceptance of compulsive sexual behavior disorder as a diagnosis within the International Class...

The present research aimed to study the relationship between emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, anxiety, depression and sexual addiction. A survey was conducted among 398 voluntary subjects recruited online through specialized forums. The participants completed validated questionnaires. Our results showed that individuals with sexual addiction reported more difficulty regulating emotions and higher levels of impulsivity than those individuals who were not defined as having a sexual addiction. In addition, anxiety and depression were significantly associated with sexual addiction. Furthermore, anxiety and depression seemed to partially mediate the links between impulsivity, emotion dysregulation and this addiction. Finally, emotion dysregulation and impulsivity had mediating effects on the relationship between anxious-depressive affects and sexual addiction. Despite the limitations of this study, our results seem to be consistent with the literature on sexual addiction and have clinical and research implications.

Children and adolescents are too often victims of sexual abuse and harassment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 150 million girls and 73 million children

This chapter argues that despite recent philosophical ambivalence towards chastity, there still is a virtue of chastity. Such viciousness results in a wide variety of harms, including sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, unwise or short-sighted romantic/sexual relationships, sexual addiction and compulsion, unintended pregnancy, neglected children, the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and so forth. The history of philosophy gives numerous examples of thoroughly secular defenses of very restrictive sexual morals. In the ancient world, the Stoics saw great advantages to sexual self-restraint. Chastity was advocated by enlightenment thinkers like David Hume and Benjamin Franklin. Hume declared the obvious ‘usefulness’ of chastity despite its innate unpleasantness, and Franklin connected chastity to personal health. Aristotle claims that vicious sexual acts like adultery can either stem from lack of self-control, expressing intemperance, or from moral indifference towards others, expressing injustice.

Research has suggested that, in some cases, sexual offending might be a manifestation of an uncontrolled or compulsive online sexual activity, which may be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction. To deal with the lack of validated instruments to assess online sexual addiction, this study tested the psychometric properties of the Online Sexual Addiction Questionnaire (OSA-Q). To this end, a total of 100 men convicted of a sexual offense completed the Spanish version of the OSA-Q, along with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) for the assessment of related areas of impairment. Once individuals with social desirability response bias (n = 34) were extracted from the sample, the exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor structure explaining 77.06% of the variance for the OSA-Q. Additionally, internal consistency of the total score was strong (α = .97), and correlations with related clinical scales were significant. Overall, individuals convicted of online sexual offenses showed significantly higher scores on the OSA-Q than contact-exclusive offenders. These results justify the use of the OSA-Q (if accompanied by a valid assessment of social desirability response bias) in the screening of online sexual addiction in Spanish forensic samples, which might, in turn, improve existing risk management plans.

Hyper sexuality is not a new phenomenon of social deviant. This problem is even more serious when there are many apps and social media facilities with a variety of functions and features that allowed users to engage in online sexual activity. This misbehaviour causes users to experience excessive sexual addiction that leads to hyper cyber sexual problems. Various studies on hyper sexuality have been conducted by scholars that included a variety of respondents’ backgrounds. Similarly, various measurements have been developed to determine hypersexual levels. But as far as it fits in with the social media context, it remains questionable since hyper cyber sexual terminology has not been widely explored. Thus, this systematic review will be examining the measurement of online hypersexual that have been developed by scholars in the context of social media. The results showed that there were four studies have been developed on online hypersexual measurements. It is important to contextualize the findings that the needs to develop the comprehensive instrument related to hyper cyber sexual are crucial due to the increase of online sexual crimes that will be harming the values and social norm of the society.

INTRODUCTION Sex addiction is a major psychiatric disorder in which a person is compelled to participate in sexual activities despite negative consequences. This study was conducted to localize a brief sex addiction screening instrument (PATHOS) for use in the Iranian population and to determine variables predictive of sex addiction in the general Iranian population. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of PATHOS in a sample of 443 Iranians in 2018. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (Factor 10.8.04 software). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate construct validity and variables predictive of addiction. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors in this dichotomous questionnaire and reported the questionnaire's test-retest reliability in the target population. Prognostic variables for sexual addiction in the Iranian population were determined to be female gender, higher education, viewing pornographic videos, having multiple sex partners, having difficulty interacting in sex, and history of masturbation. CONCLUSION The Persian version of the brief sex addiction screening instrument (PATHOS) has sufficient reliability and validity in the Iranian population. The predictive variables of sex addiction are indicative of the presence of risk of this disorder in Iranian samples and more studies are needed in order to enable prevention and treatment.

Sexual addiction (SA) and hypersexual disorder (HD) describe prevalent contemporary phenomena that the public remains poorly educated about. Notwithstanding widespread agreement among concerned stakeholders that SA and HD constitute an understudied and underappreciated challenge, the analysis digested in this research converges around the synthesis that Christian Education (CE) stakeholders have not yet had the intrepidity to meaningfully confront this issue. While SA/HD may cause serious bio-psychosocial and spiritual distress, including severe consequences for the affected and their family members, neither the condition, nor its aetiology, is well understood (or even acknowledged) by psychiatrists and medical professionals. Even the latest edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not include any mention of SA/HD. This treatise arises from a literature study, which the authors have supplemented with corresponding critical analysis. The synthesis suggests that religious/spiritual beliefs strongly impinge on both SA/HD aetiology and recovery prospects. Moreover, this study argues for more thematisation of SA/HD within CE environments. CE settings can provide a wholesome contextual environment where a better understanding of SA/HD can be mainstreamed and normalised—rather than moralised—for the greater good of both sufferers and society. This chapter charts pertinent perspectives, challenges and opportunities.

Men having sex with men are known to exhibit heightened sexual activity. This raises the conjecture that different sexual orientations exhibit different levels of sex addiction risk, which is also affected by personality. The present study examined the prevalence of the sex addiction risk within the context of sexual orientation and personality in Israeli men while also validating the Hebrew Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale (HBYSAS). Results based on 177 participants showed that the HBYSAS is appropriate for assessing the risk for sex addiction in Israeli men. Furthermore, results showed that sex addiction risk varied with individuals’ sexual orientation while being modestly associated with higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness.

Introduction: Only two behavioral addictions (BAs) are currently recognized in international classifications (gambling disorder: GbD; gaming disorder: GmD), while some of them await further investigation (food addiction: FA; sexual addiction: SA). Neurocognitive functioning is considered a risk factor for BAs. Research is quite abundant for GbD and highlights specific deficits in several cognitive functions. Nevertheless, grey areas still exist. The aim of this research programme is to investigate the neurocognitive profiles of patients presenting with various BAs and to establish parallels between different forms of BA to achieve a common addiction concept.Methods and analysis: This research program is composed of two studies sharing the same methodology but focusing on different samples: the BANCO study aims to include 30 individuals with a GbD, whereas the BANCO2 study aims to include 30 individuals with a GmD, 30 with a SA, and 30 with a FA. Moreover, for each BA group, 30 healthy controls will be recruited, matched by sex, age and education level. Several cognitive tasks will be completed by participants. Cue reactivity and physiological responses, as well as clinical data regarding addiction characteristics and personality, will also be investigated. A composite score based on the cognitive tasks will be computed using principal component analysis (PCA). Overall cognitive performance and detailed performance on the different cognitive tasks will be compared between individuals with BAs and their matched healthy controls using linear models with random effects. Comparisons will also be made between BA groups to investigate specific alterations associated with each disorder.Discussion: The results of this research programme will impact both research and clinical areas by (i) providing new knowledge for discussions regarding the inclusion of BAs under the spectrum of addictive disorders; (ii) improving understanding of addiction mechanisms in general; (iii) providing clarity in the grey areas in neurocognitive research on BAs and improving the understanding of less studied BAs, (iv) guiding clinicians to propose therapeutic alternatives and complementary programmes., BANCO study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03202290); BANCO2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03967418).

Hypersexuality disorder (or sexual addiction or excessive sexual drive or compulsive sexual behaviour disorder) is a controversial condition that is present in the International Classification of Disease but not in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. It is defined as a clinical syndrome characterised by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour. The condition is more prevalent in men than in women. Some medical conditions were described in fictional literature before their formal recognition in medicine, like Huntington disease, Pickwick syndrome, and Munchausen syndrome. The aim of this article is to analyse the fictional character of Charlotta Castelli Glembay from Miroslav Krleža’s play Messrs Glembays from 1928. Krleža presented a woman with a sexual drive that could be described as uncontrollable, organic (physical) in origin, and different from love and affection (that she also experienced, but only with one particular man). The author gave a special name for her condition – erotic intelligence. This sexual behaviour has distressing and devastating consequences. This paper will argue that the play depicts hypersexuality disorder in a woman, with a designation of its aetiology. In concordance with the prevailing attitudes of the time (the early 20th century), hypersexuality in women had negative attributions., Hiperseksualni poremećaj (seksualna ovisnost, prekomjeran seksualni nagon ili poremećaj s kompulzivnim seksualnim ponašanjem) kontroverzno je stanje koje je prisutno u jednom (Međunarodna klasifikacija bolesti), no ne i u drugom važećem klasifikacijskom sustavu (Dijagnostički i statistički priručnik za duševne poremećaje). Definira se kao klinički sin-drom obilježen ustrajnim obrascem nemogućnosti kontrole poriva, opetovanim seksualnim porivima ili nagonima, koji dovode do opetovanih seksualnih ponašanja. Ovo stanje češće je kod muškaraca, nego kod žena. Neka medicinska stanja opisana su u literaturi prije negoli su formalno prepoznata u me-dicinskim krugovima, npr. Huntingtonova bolest, Pickwickov sindrom i Munchausenov sin-drom. Cilj je ovog rada bio analizirati lik barunice Charlotte Castelli Glembay iz Gospode Glem-bayevih Miroslava Krleže. Krleža je u ovom djelu opisao ženu sa seksualnim nagonom koji bi se mogao definirati kao nekontroliran, organski (tjelesno) uvjetovan i različit od ljubavi i zaljubljenosti (koju je ona također doživjela, no samo s jednim muškarcem). Krleža je dao i posebno ime za njezino stanje – erotična inteligencija. Konačno, njezino seksualnu ponaša-nje imalo je uznemirujuće i negativne posljedice. Može se zaključiti da je riječ o opisu hiper-seksualnog poremećaja kod žene, uz oznaku njegove etiologije. U skladu s prevladavajućim stavovima toga vremena (početak 20. stoljeća), hiperseksualnost kod žena imala je negativne konotacije.

Several psychopathologies (e.g. schizophrenia spectrum conditions, autism spectrum disorders) are characterised by atypical interpersonal and social behaviour, and there is increasing evidence to suggest this atypical social behaviour is related to adjusted behavioural and neural anticipation of social rewards. This review brings together social reward anticipation research in psychopathology (k = 42) and examines the extent to which atypical social reward anticipation is a transdiagnostic characteristic. Meta-analyses of anticipatory reaction times revealed that, in comparison to healthy controls, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia spectrum conditions are associated with significantly reduced behavioural anticipation of social rewards. The pooled meta-analysis of anticipatory reaction times found that the full clinical sample demonstrated significant social reward hypoanticipation in comparison to the healthy control group with a medium effect size. A narrative synthesis of meta-analytically ineligible behavioural data, self-report data, and neuroimaging studies complemented the results of the meta-analysis, but also indicated that bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and sexual addiction disorders may be associated with social reward hyperanticipation. The evaluation of existing evidence suggests that future research should better account for factors that affect reward anticipation (e.g. gender, psychotropic medication) and highlights the importance of using stimuli other than happy faces as social rewards.

Background and aimsCompulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) has been a long debated issue. While formerly the discussion was about whether to regard CSBD as a distinctive disorder, the current debate is dealing with the classification of this phenomenon. One of the prominent voices in this field considers CSBD as a behavioral addiction and proposes CSBD to be called and diagnosed as sexual addiction (SA). This present debate paper will review the existing evidence supporting this view and it will argue against it.ResultsWe have found that a great deal of the current literature is anecdotal while empirical evidence is insufficient. First, the reports about the prevalence of CSBD are contradictory. Additionally, the field mainly suffers from inconsistent defining criteria of CSBD and a consensus which symptoms should be included. As a result, the empirical evidence that does exist is mostly about some symptoms individually and not on the disorder as a whole construct.ConclusionsWe conclude that currently, there is not enough data supporting CSBD as a behavioral addiction. Further research has to be done, examining CSBD phenomenology as a whole construct and based on a homogeneous criterion.

The conceptualization of excessive sexual behavior has been intensely debated over the years, and the concept of hypersexuality is still controversial. After long debates, the indexation in ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, World Health Organization, 2018) of excessive and problematic sexual behavior as a compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is welcome. There are still debates about the category of the disorder. In ICD-11, CSBD is classified as an impulse control disorder, but this classification is controversial, as there is evidence that CSBD has many addictive features (Kraus et al., 2016). Although the diagnosis of hypersexual disorder, proposed by Kafka, was not included in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, American Psychiatric Association, 2013), this diagnosis was supported by both clinical contexts as well as by some research that indicates that excessive sexual behavior can have serious consequences in an individual’s life (Kafka, 2010; Kaplan & Krueger, 2010, Reid et al., 2012). Understanding, defining and correctly diagnosing this disorder are important prerequisites for proper treatment, and allow also warning of certain risk factors for the development of this disorder.

In 1998, Gold and Heffner authored a landmark review in Clinical Psychology Review on the topic of sexual addiction that concluded that sexual addiction, though increasingly popular in mental health settings, was largely based on speculation, with virtually no empirical basis. In the more than two decades since that review, empirical research around compulsive sexual behaviors (which subsumes prior research about sexual addiction) has flourished, ultimately culminating in the inclusion of a novel diagnosis of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in the eleventh edition of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases. The present work details a systematic review of empirical research published between January 1st, 1995 and August 1st, 2020 related to compulsive sexual behaviors, with a specific focus on evaluating the methodologies of that literature. This review yielded 371 papers detailing 415 individual studies. In general, the present review finds that, although research related to compulsive sexual behaviors has proliferated, much of this work is characterized by simplistic methodological designs, a lack of theoretical integration, and an absence of quality measurement. Moreover, the present review finds a virtual absence of high-quality treatment-related research published within this time frame. Implications of these findings for both clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Highlights • Almost one in four chemsex-MSM might want to be counselled by a professional. • Sexual health experts were the preferred professionals to discuss chemsex. • Increasing self-control was the most reported issue to discuss with professionals. • Frequent chemsex was one of the indicative characteristics for needing counselling., Drug use during sex (‘chemsex’) has been associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental health harms. Little quantitative evidence exists on the health care needs of MSM practicing chemsex from a patient perspective. This study assessed self-perceived benefits and harms and the needs for professional counselling among MSM practicing chemsex. In 2018, 785 MSM were recruited at nine Dutch STI clinics and 511 (65%) completed the online questionnaire. Chemsex was defined as using cocaine, crystal meth, designer drugs, GHB/GBL, ketamine, speed and/or XTC/MDMA during sex

While referring to the theoretical and practical model of R. Harris (2012), this article proposes the use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the treatment of sexual addiction. While dependent behaviors begin and may be maintained by refusal of unpleasant emotional states (that is, addict individuals tend to fight or flee negative emotions by replacing eventually painful or otherwise unpleasant states by behaviors providing pleasure), the ACT framework appears as an ally in treatment of addictive behaviors, in that its goal is a fit between patients' behaviors and their values (instead avoidance of unpleasant states avoidance). Within a clinical case of a patient suffering from sexual addiction, we show that using ACT helps (i) to decrease the intensity of sexual addiction (as assessed through QMICA-Se in a pre-post design), (ii) to develop psychological flexibility (AAQ-II), and (iii) to decrease anxious and depressive symptoms of the patient (HADS). Moreover, the patient recognizes to feel himself in the here and now, and also to perform activities related to his own values. Acceptance of this limited form of sexuality now allows him to calmly consider the possibility of meeting a new person. ACT thus appears to provide clinical benefits in treatment of sexual addictions.

The notion of problematic pornography use remains contentious in both academic and popular literature. Although the mental health community at large is divided as to the addictive versus non-addictive nature of Internet pornography, substantial numbers of individuals report “feeling” as if their use of Internet pornography is problematic. The present work seeks to construct a model related to problematic pornography use that is clearly derived from empirical literature and that provides directions to be tested in future research. The focus of the present work is on those perceptions as they relate to the overarching experience of moral incongruence in pornography use, which is generally thought of as the experience of having one’s behaviors be inconsistent with one’s beliefs. To this end, we put forth a model of pornography problems due to moral incongruence. Within this model, we describe how pornography-related problems—particularly feelings of addiction to pornography—may be, in many cases, better construed as functions of discrepancies—moral incongruence—between pornography-related beliefs and pornography-related behaviors. A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis is conducted in order to evaluate support for this model, and the implications of this model for research and clinical practice are discussed.