Understanding the Latent Structure of Hypersexuality: A Taxometric Investigation

Abstract

We examined the latent structure and taxonicity of hypersexuality in large university and community samples of male and female respondents. Participants completed the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) and Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), each as part of larger anonymous online surveys of sexual behavior. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were performed in part to prepare the data for taxometric analysis and also to identify the putative dimensions underpinning each measure. Three latent dimensions were identified from each of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (dyscontrol, consequences, and preoccupation) and Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (coping, dyscontrol, and consequences). Taxometric analyses of the generated factors using mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum covariance (MAXCOV), and latent mode factor analysis (L-Mode) broadly supported a dimensional latent structure for hypersexuality, particularly in female participants. Implications pertaining to the assessment of hypersexuality are discussed.

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

“…Results from both studies were indicative of the dimensionality of CBS in the case of women. 59 , 60 …”

“…Results from both studies were indicative of the dimensionality of CBS in the case of women. 59,60 Carvalho and colleagues, 61 in a study exploring the overlap between problematic sexuality and high sexual desire, conducted on a Croatian non-clinical sample of 4597 men and women aged 18-60 years (age over 18 was the only inclusion criterion), extracted two clusters. Cluster one, named "control/consequences cluster", represents a lack of control over one's sexuality and negative outcomes, while the other cluster, named "desire/activity cluster", reflects the high sexual desire and frequent sexual activity.…”

Should compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) be considered as a behavioral addiction? A debate paper presenting the opposing view

“…Different studies using the SAST and the HBI showed constantly and repeatedly that losing control over the sexual behavior and failing the attempts to restrain it are a key feature of CSBD (e.g. Carnes et al, 2014;Kingston et al, 2018;Reid, Garos, & Carpenter, 2011). In summary, as argued before, further research needs to assess this criterion alongside the other addiction criterions.…”

Three Diagnoses for Problematic Hypersexuality; Which Criteria Predict Help-Seeking Behavior?

“…We suggest that, firstly, important prior research on PH and coping [ 33 ] is replicated and that, secondly, other associations between sex used as coping and PH are studied before definite conclusions with regard to coping and PH are drawn. Our results may explain, however, the high percentage of false positives found with the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory- [ 4 , 5 ], an instrument explicitly incorporating a “Coping” scale [ 26 ] to assess PH. A promising methodology to investigate sex used as coping in PH is presented by experience sampling research [ 55 ], as this type of research allows for testing the temporal structure of dysfunctional coping dynamics of individuals afflicted by PH [ 56 ].…”

“…Problematic hypersexuality (PH) can be defined as the experience of problems due to intense and/or highly frequent sexual behavior, preoccupations, thoughts, feelings, urges, or fantasies that are out of control [ 1 , 2 ]. Prevalence of PH is estimated to be at least 2% of the population [ 3 ], with estimates in some subpopulations as high as 28% [ 4 , 5 ]. A two to three times higher prevalence in men than in women has been found [ 3 , 6 ].…”