Occurrence and clinical characteristics of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD): A cluster analysis in two independent community samples

Abstract

Background and aimsCompulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is characterized by a persistent failure to control intense and recurrent sexual impulses, urges, and/or thoughts, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior that causes a marked impairment in important areas of functioning. Despite its recent inclusion in the forthcoming ICD-11, concerns regarding its assessment, diagnosis, prevalence or clinical characteristics remain. The purpose of this study was to identify participants displaying CSBD through a novel data-driven approach in two independent samples and outline their sociodemographic, sexual, and clinical profile.MethodsSample 1 included 1,581 university students (females = 56.9%; Mage = 20.58) whereas sample 2 comprised 1,318 community members (females = 43.6%; Mage = 32.37). First, we developed a new composite index to assess the whole range of CSBD symptoms based on three previously validated scales. Based on this new composite index, we subsequently identified individuals with CSBD through a cluster analytic approach.ResultsThe estimated occurrence of CSBD was 10.12% in sample 1 and 7.81% in sample 2. Participants with CSBD were mostly heterosexual males, younger than respondents without CSBD, reported higher levels of sexual sensation seeking and erotophilia, an increased offline and especially online sexual activity, more depressive and anxious symptoms, and poorer self-esteem.ConclusionsThis research provides further evidence on the occurrence of CSBD based on an alternative data-driven approach, as well as a detailed and nuanced description of the sociodemographic, sexual, and clinical profile of adults with this condition. Clinical implications derived from these findings are discussed in detail.

Problematic and non-problematic engagement in Online Sexual Activities across the lifespan

“…Excessive and problematic engagement in OSAs (also known as cybersex addiction, online sexual compulsivity, or Internet sex addiction) is characterized by symptoms such as: (a) loss of control over OSA, (b) persistent desire and/or unsuccessful efforts to stop, reduce, or control OSA; (c) use of OSAs as a coping mechanism; and (d) social, physical, and psychological consequences derived from the OSA (Wéry & Billieux, 2017). Excessive and problematic engagement in OSA may be classified as a subtype of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) (Gola et al, 2020), an impulse control disorder characterized by a persistent failure to control intense and recurrent sexual impulses, urges, and/or thoughts, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior that causes a marked impairment in important areas of functioning (Castro-Calvo et al, 2020;Kraus et al, 2018). The identification of this clinical condition is much more complex than simply attend to the time invested online for sexual purposes (Bőthe et al, 2020); its diagnosis actually requires a more in-depth assessment of the nature and context of individual's online sexual problems, as well as a comprehensive knowledge on how this condition is manifested in different populations (e.g., in terms of symptoms and other pathological indicators).…”

Early Maladaptive Schemas Are Highly Indicative of Compulsive Sexual Behavior

“…To date, most studies have focused on the negative outcomes of CSB (see Walton et al, 2017, for a recent review) and/or on the profile of people with higher levels of CSB with respect to factors such as gender (e.g. Castro-Calvo et al, 2020), religiosity (e.g. Grubbs et al, 2020), and personality dispositions (Efrati et al, 2019; Zilberman et al, 2018).…”

Is Compulsive Sexual Behavior Different in Women Compared to Men?

“…In a cluster analysis, Vaillancourt-Morel et al [ 27 ] reported higher numbers for the compulsive cyberpornography user cluster (11.8%), with men being more likely to belong to this cluster. In a community sample, Castro-Calvo et al [ 28 ] reported 7.8% of individuals meeting the CSBD cut-off (HBI).…”

“…Especially high frequencies were reported in student populations, with frequencies as high as 27.9% of males and 9.2% of females meeting the HBI cut-off [ 29 ]. In a study measuring CSBD with a composite index based on previously validated scales (HBI, SCS and SAST), the number decreased to 10.1% of students (of which 30.6% were female) endorsing CSBD [ 28 ]. Nevertheless, the gender effect with higher indices for males was reported in numerous student samples and with a variety of measurements (HDSI, [ 30 ]; HD and HBCS [ 31 ]; SCS [ 32 , 33 ]).…”

“…By measuring the ratio of female and male individuals with CSBD, several studies reported similar ratios of approximately 30% females (e.g., 15.8% of men and 5.7% of women [ 29 ], 27.2% of individuals meeting the CSBD cut-off were female [ 28 ] and 33.8% females in the CSBD cluster [ 38 ]).…”