NCJ Number
244406
Journal
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: July-September 2013 Pages: 192-209
Date Published
September 2013
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study explored sexual compulsivity in a non-clinical, non-student, convenience sample of 1,301 heterosexual, married adults (240 women, 1,061 men).
Abstract
In this study, the authors explored sexual compulsivity in a non-clinical, non-student, convenience sample of 1,301 heterosexual, married adults (240 women, 1,061 men). To situate this sample within the body of research on sexual compulsivity, the authors compared current participants' scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) with those reported in other studies conducted over the last decade. Scores for the current sample were largely similar to those found in other studies. The authors also investigated whether sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, constructs in the dual control model of sexual response, would be useful in explaining differences in men's and women's sexual compulsivity. Higher Arousability scores (a subscale of sexual excitation) and lower Relationship Importance scores (a subscale of sexual inhibition) were associated with higher levels of sexual compulsivity for both men and women. Gender moderated the association between Inhibitory Cognitions (a subscale of sexual inhibition) and sexual compulsivity; greater inhibition was associated with higher sexual compulsivity for men, but not for women. The importance of assessing SCS in samples not considered "high risk" and the utility of applying a sexual inhibition/excitation framework to understanding sexual compulsivity are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.