Hypersexuality and High Sexual Desire: Exploring the Structure of Problematic Sexuality

Abstract

Introduction The concept of hypersexuality has been accompanied by fierce debates and conflicting conclusions about its nature. One of the central questions under the discussion is a potential overlap between hypersexuality and high sexual desire. With the relevant research in its early phase, the structure of hypersexuality remains largely unknown. Aim The aim of the present study was to systematically explore the overlap between problematic sexuality and high sexual desire. Methods A community online survey was carried out in Croatia in 2014. The data were first cluster analyzed (by gender) based on sexual desire, sexual activity, perceived lack of control over one's sexuality, and negative behavioral consequences. Participants in the meaningful clusters were then compared for psychosocial characteristics. To complement cluster analysis (CA), multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the same four constructs was carried out. Main Outcome Measures Indicators representing the proposed structure of hypersexuality were included: sexual desire, frequency of sexual activity, lack of control over one's sexuality, and negative behavioral outcomes. Psychosocial characteristics such as religiosity, attitudes toward pornography, and general psychopathology were also evaluated. Results CA pointed to the existence of two meaningful clusters, one representing problematic sexuality, that is, lack of control over one's sexuality and negative outcomes (control/consequences cluster), and the other reflecting high sexual desire and frequent sexual activity (desire/activity cluster). Compared with the desire/activity cluster, individuals from the control/consequences cluster reported more psychopathology and were characterized by more traditional attitudes. Complementing the CA findings, CFA pointed to two distinct latent dimensions—problematic sexuality and high sexual desire/activity. Conclusion Our study supports the distinctiveness of hypersexuality and high sexual desire/activity, suggesting that problematic sexuality might be more associated with the perceived lack of personal control over sexuality and moralistic attitudes than with high levels of sexual desire and activity.

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A Randomized Controlled Study of Group-Administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hypersexual Disorder in Men

“…Furthermore, the personality traits low impulse control, negative self-image, affective instability, and dysphoric mood have also been found to be positively related to hypersexuality (Carvalho, Stulhofer, Vieira, & Jurin, 2015;Chaney & Burns-Wortham, 2014;Kalichman & Rompa, 1995;Lloyd, Raymond, Miner, & Coleman, 2007;Reid, Bramen, Anderson, & Cohen, 2014;Reid, Carpenter, Gilliland, & Karim, 2011). Griffin et al (2016) found a negative relationship between sexual self-esteem and hypersexual behavior.…”

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“…In a large sample of Croatian adults, cluster analysis identified two meaningful clusters, one representing problematic sexuality and another reflecting high sexual desire and frequent sexual activity. Individuals in the problematic cluster reported more psychopathology compared to individuals in the high-desire/frequent-activity cluster (95). This suggests CSB may be organized more along a continuum of increasing sexual frequency and preoccupation, in which clinical cases are more likely to occur in the upper end of the continuum or dimension (96).…”