Revisiting the Role of Impulsivity and Compulsivity in Problematic Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

Impulsivity and compulsivity are transdiagnostic features associated with clinically relevant aspects of psychiatric disorders, including addictions. However, little research has investigated how impulsivity and compulsivity relate to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate (a) self-reported impulsivity and compulsivity with respect to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use and (b) the similarities and possible differences between hypersexuality and problematic pornography use in these domains. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) in a large community sample (N = 13,778 participants; female = 4,151, 30.1%), results indicated that impulsivity (β = .28, β = .26) and compulsivity (β = .23, β = .14) were weakly related to problematic pornography use among men and women, respectively. Impulsivity had a stronger relationship (β = .41, β = .42) with hypersexuality than did compulsivity (β = .21, β = .16) among men and women, respectively. Consequently, impulsivity and compulsivity may not contribute as substantially to problematic pornography use as some scholars have proposed. On the other hand, impulsivity might have a more prominent role in hypersexuality than in problematic pornography use. Future research should examine further social and situational factors associated with problematic pornography use.

Facets of impulsivity and related aspects differentiate among recreational and unregulated use of Internet pornography

“…However, effect sizes were low for these factors, which might indicate that facets of impulsivity do not contribute substantially to an unregulated IP use. This result is consistent with the results by Bőthe et al (2018). Following the assumptions of the I-PACE model (Brand, Young, et al, 2016), it is possible that effects of these trait variables on the symptom severity are moderated or mediated by affective and cognitive responses.…”

“…With regard to a general tendency to act impulsively, research indicates that unregulated IP use is at least weakly associated with higher levels of trait impulsivity Bőthe et al, 2018;Wéry, Deleuze, Canale, & Billieux, 2017). This might indicate that trait impulsivity is a predisposing factor for unregulated IP use but might not be the aspect that differentiates the best between recreational and unregulated IP use (also see Bőthe et al, 2018).…”

“…With regard to a general tendency to act impulsively, research indicates that unregulated IP use is at least weakly associated with higher levels of trait impulsivity Bőthe et al, 2018;Wéry, Deleuze, Canale, & Billieux, 2017). This might indicate that trait impulsivity is a predisposing factor for unregulated IP use but might not be the aspect that differentiates the best between recreational and unregulated IP use (also see Bőthe et al, 2018). In addition, the frequency of IP use in general (regardless of the IP use being recreational or unregulated) has been shown to be correlated with impulsive choice tendencies indicated by a preference for smaller immediate over larger subsequent rewards, thus high delay discounting (Negash, Sheppard, Lambert, & Fincham, 2016).…”

<p>Spotlight on Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder: A Systematic Review of Research on Women</p>

“…The contribution of personality factors to ratings of CSB symptoms was examined in 10 studies. 77,[103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110] In a study of Shimoni and colleagues, 103 81 women and 186 men were recruited via internet sites used for finding sexual partners. Results of this investigation showed that women (as compared to men) obtained lower scores on Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), 111 they were less open to experiences and more neurotic (as assessed by the Big Five Index).…”

“…In the case of trait impulsiveness and compulsiveness, Bőthe and colleagues 104 investigated its relation to PPU and CSB symptoms on a large community sample of 13,778 individuals (4151 females). Regardless of gender, PPU was weakly associated with impulsivity and compulsivity.…”