The Relationship Between the FFM Personality Traits, State Psychopathology, and Sexual Compulsivity in a Sample of Male College Students

Psychological characteristics associated with chemsex among men who have sex with men: Internalized homophobia, conscientiousness and serostatus as predictive factors

Background

Although significant progress has been made in the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, even today this population still faces stigma and discrimination that impacts their mental health. In the case of men who have sex with men, it has been demonstrated that the use of drugs in a sexual context (chemsex) is one of the coping mechanisms and means of escape to deal with these situations.

Method

We assessed 284 native Spanish speakers' participants, 45,4 % were not engaged in sexualised drug use (n = 129) while 54,6 % were chemsex users (n = 155) using 18,7 % of them the injected via. The participants completed six questionnaires about life and sexual satisfaction, depression, anxiety, internalised homophobia and personality. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed to assess the associations between sexual behaviour-related and psychological variables. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to analysed the impact on mental health of the administration via.

Results

Aged, unprotected sexual relationships, positive serostatus, homonegativity and conscientiousness predicted the chemsex engagement. Furthermore, we found differences regarding the administration via.

Conclusions

We conclude that mental health significantly correlates with the practice of chemsex, highlighting the importance of integrating mental health considerations into the prevention of risky sexual behaviors.

Common Features in Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Substance Use Disorders, Personality, Temperament, and Attachment-A Narrative Review

Do addictions share common traits of an “addictive personality” or do different addictions have distinct personality profiles? This narrative review examines the differences in the associations between substance use disorder (SUD) and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), on the one hand, and personality traits, attachment dispositions, and temperament, on the other hand. We found that both people with a SUD and people with CSBD tended to be more spontaneous, careless, and less reliable, to place self-interest above getting along with others, to show emotional instability and experience negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and/or depression, to be less able to control their attention and/or behavior, and to be engulfed with a constant sensation of “wanting”. Only people with CSBD, but not SUD, noted concerns with their social ties, fear of losing close others, and/or trusting others around them. Results also suggested that people with a SUD and people with CSBD share high commonalities in personality traits and temperament, yet there are noted differences in their social tendencies, especially with close others. People with CSBD reported more concerns with possible relationship losses compared to people with SUD issues, who may be more worried about losing their source of escapism.

Validation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Italian Version of the Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale

Excessive problematic sexual behavior in the form of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), hypersexuality (HS), and sex addiction has gained increasing credibility in recent years and has led to the development of various psychometric instruments to assess such behavior. However, there is still considerable controversy over the operational definition of such concepts and whether they can be used interchangeably to describe the behavior. One recently developed tool is the Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS) based on the "components model of addiction." The present study validated the Italian version of the BYSAS. The BYSAS was administered to a large Italian-speaking sample of Italian adults [N = 1230, aged 18 to 67 years] along with psychometric instruments assessing the "Big Five" personality traits, self-esteem, depression, and two other measures of addictive sexual behavior (i.e., PATHOS and Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire-Sex Subscale). Confirmatory factorial analysis supported a one-factor solution. Furthermore, the scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.787). The BYSAS was positively associated with extroversion, openness to experience, depression, and problematic sexual behavior, and negatively associated with self-esteem, conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness, and age. Based on the findings, the BYSAS is a brief, psychometrically reliable and valid measure for assessing sex addiction among Italian adults.

The Relationship Between COVID-19 Confinement, Psychological Adjustment, and Sexual Functioning, in a Sample of Portuguese Men and Women

BACKGROUND

Past research has revealed the detrimental effects of social isolation and physical distancing measures in health related outcomes. However, only recently COVID-19 confinement measures provided a context to test whether such detrimental effects exist in the human sexuality domain.

AIM

This study was aimed at testing the relationship between COVID-19 confinement levels and sexual functioning domains in men and women, while accounting for the mediating role of psychological adjustment during lockdown.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty five men and 417 women completed a web survey on the effects of COVID-19 in sexual health. The reference period includes the first confinement in Portugal (March 19-June 1, 2020). Data were handled under Hays' procedures for simple mediation analysis.

OUTCOMES

Measurement outcomes included self-reported levels of confinement, IIEF and FSFI scores, and psychological adjustment during lockdown.

RESULTS

Psychological adjustment during lockdown mediated the relationship between confinement levels and most sexual functioning domains in men but not in women. Also, while confinement levels were not directly related with most sexual functioning domains, psychological adjustment during lockdown did predict lower sexual functioning in both genders.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION

Findings support that human sexual functioning should be framed within a contextual perspective, emphasizing how psychological adjustment and situational life stressors, such as lockdown situations, shape individuals' sexuality. Such perspective should be considered in treatment protocols implemented during current pandemic.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

Data add to the literature on the effects of lockdown in the sexuality domain. However, the study precludes inference of causality and targets only a little proportion of all the dynamics involved in sexuality during the current historical moment.

CONCLUSION

Psychological adjustment during COVID-19 seems to have a role on human sexual functioning, over the single effects of confinement. Carvalho J, Campos P, Carrito M, et al. The Relationship Between COVID-19 Confinement, Psychological Adjustment, and Sexual Functioning, in a Sample of Portuguese Men and Women. J Sex Med 2021;18:1191-1197.

Structural Equation Model of Personality Traits, Psychopathology, and Nonverbal Immediacy Behavior

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between personality traits, psychopathology, and nonverbal immediacy behaviors. The study gains importance because of the fact that personality traits, psychopathology, and the concept of nonverbal immediacy have not been studied together in Turkish culture.

METHODS

The research sample was created with the convenience sampling method, one of the nonrandom sampling methods. The sample consisted of 336 university students aged 18 and over. In the study, the 10-Item Personality Inventory, Nonverbal Immediacy Scale-Self Report Form (NIS-STr), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), and Communicator Styles Scale were used. To examine the effect of personality traits on SCL-90-R and the effect of SCL-90-R scores on nonverbal immediacy behavior, a structural equation model was used and the path analysis of the model was created.

RESULTS

Although it was determined that the scores for conscientiousness, emotional stability, and extraversion in the scale of resilience to the scope of the study did not significantly predict the SCL-90-R scores (P > 0.05), the scores for agreeableness (β = 0.38, P < 0.05) and openness (β = 0.38, P < 0.05) predicted the SCL-90-R scores significantly and positively. In addition, it was determined that the scores of other applications from the SCL-90-R were similarly significant surrounding other predictors of NIS-STr scores (β = -0.30, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It can be stated that personality traits are predictors of psychopathological symptoms. Students' SCL-90-R scores positively predicted the NIS-STr scores in a statistically negative way.

Hypersexual Behaviors and Personality Traits in Men with Substance Use Disorders in Iran

The present study was conducted aiming to compare the five-factor model of personality in addicted men with and without hypersexual disorder (HD). The research method was causal-comparative, and the study population included all addicted men who were residents of addiction treatment centers in Tabriz city. 216 male addicts with HD and without HD were compared in 2 groups of 108 members through the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44). Data were analyzed using independent t test, chi-square, multivariate analysis of variance, and SPSS 22 version software for Windows (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). The results showed that 2 groups were significantly different in the five-factor model of personality. Addicted men with HD obtained lower scores in agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience; and obtained higher scores in neuroticism personality dimension in comparison to addicted men without HD. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in extraversion dimension. These findings indicated that there is a significant difference between the 2 groups in the five-factor model of personality, and addicted men with HD scored higher in neuroticism dimension. Therefore, this study illustrates the need to pay attention to the personality dimension of neuroticism (or emotional instability) as a variable comorbid with HD and substance-related disorders.

Role of Personality Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in the Risk for Sexual Addiction Among Israeli Men: Validation of a Hebrew Sex Addiction Scale

Men having sex with men are known to exhibit heightened sexual activity. This raises the conjecture that different sexual orientations exhibit different levels of sex addiction risk, which is also affected by personality. The present study examined the prevalence of the sex addiction risk within the context of sexual orientation and personality in Israeli men while also validating the Hebrew Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale (HBYSAS). Results based on 177 participants showed that the HBYSAS is appropriate for assessing the risk for sex addiction in Israeli men. Furthermore, results showed that sex addiction risk varied with individuals’ sexual orientation while being modestly associated with higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness.

Understanding and predicting profiles of compulsive sexual behavior among adolescents

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This two-study research was designed to define and predict profiles of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) among non-clinical population of adolescents, and aimed to fill gaps in the current research.

METHODS

In Study 1 (N = 1,182), we examined the profiles of CSB among adolescents using latent profile analysis. Results revealed the following three clusters: abstainers, sexual fantasizers, and individuals with CSB. In Study 2 (N = 618), we replicated this classification and examined differences between the clusters in Big Five personality traits, locus of control, attachment orientations, loneliness, age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), residence quality, use of pornography, and sex-related online activities.

RESULTS

Adolescents classified into different clusters significantly differed in personality traits, loneliness, age, SES, use of pornography, and sex-related online activities. Specifically, individuals with CSB had external locus of control, anxious attachment, greater loneliness, higher frequency of pornography use, and more sex-related online activities than the other groups.

DISCUSSION

The current research expands the knowledge about CSB by providing a more individualized approach to understanding CSB among adolescence.

Personality profiles of substance and behavioral addictions

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.

The Development and Validation of the Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale With a Large National Sample

The view that problematic excessive sexual behavior ("sex addiction") is a form of behavioral addiction has gained more credence in recent years, but there is still considerable controversy regarding operationalization of the concept. Furthermore, most previous studies have relied on small clinical samples. The present study presents a new method for assessing sex addiction-the Bergen-Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS)-based on established addiction components (i.e., salience/craving, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict/problems, and relapse/loss of control). Using a cross-sectional survey, the BYSAS was administered to a broad national sample of 23,533 Norwegian adults [aged 16-88 years; mean (± SD) age = 35.8 ± 13.3 years], together with validated measures of the Big Five personality traits, narcissism, self-esteem, and a measure of sexual addictive behavior. Both an exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA = 0.046, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.996) supported a one-factor solution, although a local dependence between two items (Items 1 and 2) was detected. Furthermore, the scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.83). The BYSAS correlated significantly with the reference scale (r = 0.52), and demonstrated similar patterns of convergent and discriminant validity. The BYSAS was positively related to extroversion, neuroticism, intellect/imagination, and narcissism, and negatively related to conscientiousness, agreeableness, and self-esteem. High scores on the BYSAS were more prevalent among those who were men, single, of younger age, and with higher education. The BYSAS is a brief, and psychometrically reliable and valid measure for assessing sex addiction. However, further validation of the BYSAS is needed in other countries and contexts.

Hypersexuality: A Critical Review and Introduction to the "Sexhavior Cycle"

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.

An Online Assessment of Personality, Psychological, and Sexuality Trait Variables Associated with Self-Reported Hypersexual Behavior

"Hypersexual" behavior represents a perceived inability to control one's sexual behavior. To investigate hypersexual behavior, an international sample of 510 self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women completed an anonymous online self-report questionnaire battery. In addition to age and sex (male), hypersexual behavior was related to higher scores on measures of sexual excitation, sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure, trait impulsivity, and both depressed mood and anxiety. In contrast, hypersexual behavior was related to lower scores on sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance consequences. Higher neuroticism and extraversion, as well as lower agreeableness and conscientiousness, also predicted hypersexual behavior. Interestingly, interactions among the variables assessed did not significantly predict hypersexual behavior, suggesting the possible existence of multiple and predominantly independent taxa for various persons reporting hypersexual behavior. Core personality features may also be present in persons with hypersexual behavior. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Personality and sexuality in older adults

OBJECTIVE

This study explored cross-time associations between personality and multiple components of sexual functioning and behaviour in a large cohort of older adults (n = 5745).

DESIGN

Participants (M_age = 65.57 ± 8.28 years) completed questionnaires in 2010 and 2012.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcomes explored included sexual attitudes, sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, lifetime sexual partners, sexual orientation and sexual dysfunction.

RESULTS

We found that higher levels of openness and lower levels of agreeableness were related to more liberal attitudes toward sex, a greater number of sexual partners, a higher sex drive, more frequent sexual activity, lower levels of sexual dysfunction and (for women) a greater tendency towards homosexuality. Higher levels of conscientiousness were also related to more conservative attitudes towards sex, lower levels of sexual dysfunction and a greater tendency towards heterosexuality. For sexually active older adults, higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of neuroticism were related to greater sexual satisfaction. Higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of conscientiousness were also related to a greater number of sexual partners in men but not women.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide evidence that personality is an important correlate of sexual functioning and behaviour in older adults.

Neuroticism and Men's Sexual Coercion as Reported by Both Partners in a Community Sample of Couples

Compared with other forms of intimate partner violence, very little is known about sexual coercion (SC) and its correlates in intact couples from the general population. Among potential dispositional risk factors for SC, neuroticism has been related to various aspects of couple functioning, including psychological and physical partner abuse. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, we suggest the existence of two maladaptive profiles on the neuroticism dimension and examine the curvilinear association between neuroticism and men's SC. A total of 299 adult couples completed measures of neuroticism and SC perpetrated by the male partner. Descriptive analyses indicated that SC translated mainly into insistence or partner pressure to engage the other in unwanted sexual activities. Results confirmed the hypothesis that both lower and higher levels of men's neuroticism predict higher levels of men's perpetrated SC, while low to moderate levels of neuroticism predict lower levels of men's SC. These findings contribute to the empirical literature on SC in community samples of couples and bear significant clinical implications for the evaluation and treatment of couples experiencing these negative sexual experiences.

Understanding the Personality and Behavioral Mechanisms Defining Hypersexuality in Men Who Have Sex With Men

INTRODUCTION

Hypersexuality has been conceptualized as sexual addiction, compulsivity, and impulsivity, among others, in the absence of strong empirical data in support of any specific conceptualization.

AIM

To investigate personality factors and behavioral mechanisms that are relevant to hypersexuality in men who have sex with men.

METHODS

A sample of 242 men who have sex with men was recruited from various sites in a moderate-size mid-western city. Participants were assigned to a hypersexuality group or a control group using an interview similar to the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Self-report inventories were administered that measured the broad personality constructs of positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and constraint and more narrow constructs related to sexual behavioral control, behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, sexual excitation, sexual inhibition, impulsivity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and sexual behavior.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine the relation between these personality and behavioral variables and group membership.

RESULTS

A hierarchical logistic regression controlling for age showed a significant positive relation between hypersexuality and negative emotionality and a negative relation with constraint. None of the behavioral mechanism variables entered this equation. However, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis predicting sexual behavioral control indicated that lack of such control was positively related to sexual excitation and sexual inhibition owing to the threat of performance failure and negatively related to sexual inhibition owing to the threat of performance consequences and general behavioral inhibition

CONCLUSION

Hypersexuality was found to be related to two broad personality factors that are characterized by emotional reactivity, risk taking, and impulsivity. The associated lack of sexual behavior control is influenced by sexual excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, but not by general behavioral activation and inhibitory mechanisms.

The Relationship Between Hypersexual Behavior, Sexual Excitation, Sexual Inhibition, and Personality Traits

The term hypersexuality was introduced to describe excessive sexual behavior associated with a person's inability to control his or her sexual behavior. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of different personality traits on the degree of hypersexual behavior as measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). A further aim was to evaluate the association between sexual inhibition and excitation [as described in the Dual Control Model (DCM)] and hypersexual behavior. A sample of 1,749 participants completed an internet-based survey comprised the HBI, the short form of the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES-SF) as well as more general personality measures: the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System-scales (BIS/BAS-scales) and a short version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10). Using the recommended HBI cut-off, 6.0 % (n = 105) of the present sample could be categorized as hypersexual, which is comparable to the results of previous studies about the prevalence of hypersexual behavior in the general population. The results provided strong support for the components of the DCM-sexual excitation and inhibition-to explain hypersexual behavior, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation. Some of the general personality traits also showed significant relationships with hypersexual behavior. Taken together, the results of the present study provide further support for the relevance of research about the relationships between sexual problems and disorders, the DCM, and personality variables.

Personality among sexually compulsive men who practice intentional unsafe sex in São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

There is evidence of an association between the practice of intentional unsafe sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) and sensation seeking and impulsivity. However, other aspects of personality have been less frequently investigated.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the association between the practice of intentional unsafe sex and personality traits in individuals who sought treatment and met the criteria for compulsive sexual behavior in São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 69 sexually compulsive MSM. The participants underwent psychiatric evaluation and an interview to define intentional condomless sex and completed self-report instruments.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The participants completed the following measures: the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Sexual Compulsivity Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-five participants (36%) reported intentional unsafe sex with casual partners, of whom 84% were gay and 16% bisexual (P<0.05). Fifteen (22%) individuals reported being HIV positive, and 11 (73%) of them practiced intentional unprotected anal intercourse (P<0.05). The mean of sexual compulsivity was associated with men who engaged in intentional unsafe sex (P=0.01). Men who reported intentional unsafe sex scored significantly higher on the novelty seeking temperament dimension (P<0.05) and scored significantly lower on the self-directedness character dimension (P<0.001). However, self-directedness predicted intentional unsafe sex in the multiple logistic regression (P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexually compulsive individuals who practiced intentional unsafe sex presented lower self-directedness than the group who did not engage in intentional unsafe sex, which suggests less autonomy regarding life itself. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to consider intentional unsafe sex in sexually compulsive men.

Psychopathological predictors characterizing sexual compulsivity in a nonclinical sample of women

Sexual compulsivity in women has been understudied. Furthermore, studies on this topic usually consider clinical samples of individuals assigned to the label of sexual addicts and presenting strong psychiatric comorbidities. Consequently, there is missing evidence on the relation between psychological factors and sexual compulsivity in the absence of significant psychiatric disturbance. Such disturbance may mask the psychological dimensions underpinning sexual compulsivity. Against this background, this study used a nonpathological frame to explore this relation because it may add relevant information on the topic of female sexual compulsivity. Two-hundred thirty-five female college students were eligible for the study. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on the following topics: trait affect, impulsiveness, psychological symptoms, alexithymia, sexual response in states of anxiety versus depressive mood, and coping skills. Findings revealed that motor/planning impulsiveness and psychoticism significantly predicted sexual compulsivity in women. Data have suggested that when sexual compulsivity is measured as a continuous construct in a community sample of women, only some factors seem common to those found in severe forms of hypersexuality.