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Sorrell SA, Lefevor GT, Skidmore SJ, Golightly RM, Searle KNL. Understanding How Religiousness Shapes Perceptions of Compulsive Sexual Behavior. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2024; 50:691-706. [PMID: 38741573 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2024.2353221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
In the present study, we test the model of moral incongruence by examining whether moral disapproval of pornography mediates the relationship between organizational religious activity and self-reported CSB and whether the frequency of viewing pornography moderates the relationship between moral disapproval and self-reported CSB in two samples: a general population sample and a sample of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons"). Analyses revealed that, among both samples, frequency of pornography viewing moderated the indirect effect of organizational religious activity on perceived CSB via morally disapproving of pornography. Specifically, moral disapproval of pornography mediated the relationship between organizational religious activity and compulsive sexual behavior when participants viewed pornography approximately monthly or more (mean and +1 SD among the general population sample, +1 SD among the Latter-day Saint sample). Findings suggest that individuals who attend worship services more frequently are more likely to perceive their pornography viewing as compulsive at higher frequencies of usage - even when their frequency of pornography viewing is unlikely to be associated with actual functional impairment - and that this distress is better understood in relation to experiences of moral incongruence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - G Tyler Lefevor
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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Jennings TL, Lyng T, Gleason N, Finotelli I, Coleman E. Compulsive sexual behavior, religiosity, and spirituality: A systematic review. J Behav Addict 2021; 10:854-878. [PMID: 34971357 PMCID: PMC8987424 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2021.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the relationship between compulsive sexual behavior (CSB), religiosity, and spirituality. This review summarizes research examining the relationship CSB has with religiosity and spirituality, clarifying how these constructs inform the assessment and treatment of this syndrome. METHODS The present paper reviews research published through August 1, 2021, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only studies providing quantitative analyses were included. RESULTS This review identified 46 articles, subsuming 59 studies, analyzing the relationship between CSB and religiosity or spirituality. Most studies used cross-sectional designs with samples primarily composed of heterosexual White men and women. Generally, the studies found small to moderate positive relationships between religiosity and CSB. Studies considering the mediating or moderating role of moral incongruence identified stronger, indirect relationships between religiosity and problematic pornography use (PPU), a manifestation of CSB. Few studies examined the association between spirituality and CSB, but those that did either reported negative relationships between indicators of spiritual well-being and CSB or positive relationships between CSB and aspects of spiritual struggles. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Although research examining CSB and religiosity has flourished, such growth is hampered by cross-sectional samples lacking in diversity. Moral incongruence assists in explaining the relationship between religiosity and PPU, but future research should consider other manifestations of CSB beyond PPU. Attention should also be given to examining other religiosity and spirituality constructs and obtaining more diverse samples in research on CSB, religiosity, and spirituality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd L. Jennings
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States
| | - Tayler Lyng
- Department of Psychology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
| | - Neil Gleason
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, United States
| | - Itor Finotelli
- The Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, United States
| | - Eli Coleman
- The Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, United States,Corresponding author. E-mail:
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Grant Weinandy JT, Grubbs JB. Religious and spiritual beliefs and attitudes towards addiction and addiction treatment: A scoping review. Addict Behav Rep 2021; 14:100393. [PMID: 34938850 PMCID: PMC8664870 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Throughout history, ideas about addiction have been informed and influenced by religious belief and practice. Even continuing into the present, religion and spirituality are often thought to impact attitudes towards addiction and its treatment, particularly given the use of religion and spirituality in various well-known treatments such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Although research has flourished with regards to the role that addiction and spirituality might play in vulnerability to addiction or the treatment of addiction, there has been comparatively less research examining how religion might impact attitudes toward addiction more broadly. METHOD The present work sought to examine the current state of empirical literature evaluating the relationships between religion and attitudes toward addiction and addiction treatment. In service of the above aim, a scoping review was conducted. RESULTS This summary of peer-reviewed, quantitative studies (n = 36) found that higher religiosity is related to more belief in the disease model of addiction in providers, negative attitudes towards addiction, and a stronger support for spiritually-based treatments. However, results varied based on the measures used and many relationships tested were not significant. There also appeared to be differences in the interaction between religion and spirituality and other variables, such as the respondent's sex or whether the individual was a student or provider, in terms of attitudes. CONCLUSIONS Further research is needed to fully understand the nuances in the relationship between these variables, including more clear operationalization and standardized measurement. Until such research is conducted, no cohesive conclusions can be drawn, and clinical implications remain unclear.
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FirooziKhojastehfar R, Asgari K, Kalantari M, Raisi F, Shahvari Z, Dadras I, Amani Jabalkandi S. A Pilot Randomized Control of the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Depression and Hypersexual Behaviors in Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. SEXUAL HEALTH & COMPULSIVITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/26929953.2022.2041514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karim Asgari
- Department of Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Firoozeh Raisi
- Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University Of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shahvari
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran
| | - Iman Dadras
- Alliant International University, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Gleason N, Finotelli I, Miner MH, Herbenick D, Coleman E. Estimated Prevalence and Demographic Correlates of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Among Gay Men in the United States. J Sex Med 2021; 18:1545-1554. [PMID: 37057439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is a clinical syndrome that causes significant distress and impairment for many individuals in the United States. Gay men are thought to have a higher prevalence of CSB, and it is associated with many relevant health outcomes including HIV risk behavior. AIM To estimate the prevalence and examine demographic correlates of CSB among gay men in the United States. METHODS A U.S. national probability sample of 227 gay-identified men were collected as part of the 2015 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB). OUTCOMES Participants completed the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI-13) and demographic measures. RESULTS Eighteen participants (7.93%) scored above the CSBI-13 clinical cut point, indicating they would likely meet criteria for clinically significant compulsive sexual behavior. To assess demographic correlates of CSB, demographic variables were entered into a logistic regression. Results of the logistic regression indicated that participant age, education, and religious affiliation were significant predictors of CSB status. Individuals scoring above the cut point were younger on average (M = 39.17; SD = 14.84) than those scoring below the cut point (M = 47.52; SD = 14.62; P = .02). Odds of scoring above the cut point were about six times greater for religiously affiliated participants compared to non-religiously affiliated participants (P = .005), and four times greater for those who had attended college compared to those who had not (P = .03). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS These results indicate the prevalence of CSB in gay men is more modest than previously estimated, and is similar to the general population prevalence estimated in a previous study. The strongest predictor of CSB in this sample was religious affiliation, which underscores the importance of evaluating the role of religiosity in the etiology and/or identification of this clinical syndrome. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS These findings are strengthened by the national probability sampling methodology and the use of the empirically validated CSBI-13 cut point. However, this sample was also older and had higher income and educational attainment than the larger population of gay men in the U.S. CONCLUSION These results indicate gay men may have a CSB prevalence rate similar to the general population, which contradicts previous research suggesting they are at greater risk for CSB. Gleason N, Finotelli I, Miner MH, et al. Estimated Prevalence and Demographic Correlates of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Among Gay Men in the United States. J Sex Med 2021;18:1545-1554.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Gleason
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Itor Finotelli
- Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael H Miner
- Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Debra Herbenick
- The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Eli Coleman
- Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Sassover E, Abrahamovitch Z, Amsel Y, Halle D, Mishan Y, Efrati Y, Weinstein A. A study on the relationship between shame, guilt, self-criticism and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02188-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Efrati Y. God, I Can't Stop Thinking About Sex! The Rebound Effect in Unsuccessful Suppression of Sexual Thoughts Among Religious Adolescents. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2019; 56:146-155. [PMID: 29702013 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2018.1461796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The rebound effect of thought suppression refers to attempts to suppress thoughts that result in an increase of those thoughts. The aim of this three-study research was to investigate the suppression of thoughts and its possible importance in the cognitive model of predicted compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) among Israeli Jewish religious and secular adolescents. Study 1 (N = 661): Do religious and secular adolescents differ in CSB and related psychopathology? Study 2 (N = 522): Does CSB mediate the link between religiosity and well-being? Study 3 (N = 317): Does religiosity relate to suppression of sexual thoughts, which relates to higher CSB and lower well-being? The analyses indicated that religious adolescents are higher in CSB than secular ones, and that sexual suppression and CSB mediate the link between religiosity and well-being. Results are discussed and address the need for a broader understanding of CSB and the function of thought suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Efrati
- a Faculty of Education and Society and Culture , Beit Berl College , Kfar-Saba , Israel
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Zilberman N, Yadid G, Efrati Y, Neumark Y, Rassovsky Y. Personality profiles of substance and behavioral addictions. Addict Behav 2018; 82:174-181. [PMID: 29547799 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Substance-related and behavioral addictions are extremely prevalent and represent a major public health concern. In the ongoing attempt to understand the addictive personality, contradictory results have arisen from studies that have explored personality traits in different addiction populations. The diversity across addiction types suggests that some of these inconsistencies stem from distinct personalities underlying each addiction. The present study compares the personality profiles of several addictions, representing both substance (drugs and alcohol) and behavioral (gambling and sex) subtypes. 216 addicted individuals and 78 controls completed personality and sociodemographic questionnaires. Notable personality distinctions were found among different types of addiction. Whereas impulsivity and neuroticism were higher across all addiction populations, as compared to controls, people with alcohol use disorders also scored significantly lower on the traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and openness to experience. People with drug use disorders and those with compulsive sexual behavior were surprisingly similar, scoring lowest on the traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Finally, people with gambling disorder demonstrated a personality profile similar to that of the control group. Of note, personality profiles were also related to several demographic characteristics, including socioeconomic status and religiosity. Our findings support a potential role for personality in distinguishing among different types of addiction. This study suggests that different addictions may, to some extent, stem from distinct processes that are involved in personality development. These findings may provide a useful framework for understanding why different people develop different addictions.
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Efrati Y. Adolescents with a Disposition toward Compulsive Sexual Behavior: The Role of Shame in Willingness to Seek Help and Treatment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10720162.2018.1454371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Efrati Y, Dannon P. Normative and Clinical Self-Perceptions of Sexuality and Their Links to Psychopathology among Adolescents. Psychopathology 2018; 51:380-389. [PMID: 30673673 DOI: 10.1159/000495842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) has been linked to psychopathology among adults. Only preliminary research has been conducted on adolescents. In our study, we examined whether CSB is linked to psychopathology among adolescents or whether it is a part of normal sexual development. We also, examined potential risk and resiliency factors that might influence this link. METHODS The study population included 311 high school students (184 males and 127 females) aged 16-18 years who completed self-report measures regarding CSB, psychopathology, temperament, and attachment orientations. RESULTS Adolescents with clinical CSB had more severe psychopathologies than nonclinical ones (with moderate and low levels of CSB) and were unable to utilize resilience factors (i.e., low negative affectivity, high effortful control, and/or attachment security). CONCLUSIONS Low and moderate levels of CSB seem to be part of the normal development of sexuality among adolescents. Clinical CSB seems to be a deviation from this normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pinhas Dannon
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Walton MT, Cantor JM, Bhullar N, Lykins AD. Hypersexuality: A Critical Review and Introduction to the "Sexhavior Cycle". ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:2231-2251. [PMID: 28687897 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-017-0991-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
An empirical review of hypersexuality is timely as "compulsive sexual behavior" is being considered as an impulse control disorder for inclusion in the forthcoming International Classification of Diseases, 11th ed. Specifically, hypersexuality has been conceptualized in the literature as the inability to regulate one's sexual behavior that is a source of significant personal distress. Various theoretical models have been posited in an attempt to understand the occurrence of hypersexuality, although disagreement about these divergent conceptualizations of the condition has made assessment and treatment of hypersexual clients more challenging. Theories of sexual compulsivity, sexual impulsivity, dual control (sexual inhibition/excitation), and sex addiction are critically examined, as are the diagnostic criteria for clinically assessing hypersexuality as a sexual disorder. Our discussion of hypersexuality covers a diversity of research and clinical perspectives. We also address various challenges associated with reliably defining, psychometrically measuring, and diagnosing hypersexuality. Furthermore, literature is reviewed that expresses concerns regarding whether hypersexuality (conceptualized as a disorder) exists, whether it is simply normophilic behavior at the extreme end of sexual functioning, or alternatively is a presenting problem that requires treatment rather than a clinical diagnosis. Following our literature review, we developed the "sexhavior cycle of hypersexuality" to potentially explain the neuropsychology and maintenance cycle of hypersexuality. The sexhavior cycle suggests that, for some hypersexual persons, high sexual arousal may temporarily and adversely impact cognitive processing (cognitive abeyance) and explain a repeated pattern of psychological distress when interpreting one's sexual behavior (sexual incongruence). We also suggest that further research is required to validate whether hypersexuality is a behavioral disorder (such as gambling), although some presentations of the condition appear to be symptomatic of a heterogeneous psychological problem that requires treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Walton
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - James M Cantor
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Navjot Bhullar
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Amy D Lykins
- School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
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