Normative and Clinical Self-Perceptions of Sexuality and Their Links to Psychopathology among Adolescents

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.

Problematic Pornography Use in Japan: A Preliminary Study Among University Students

“…Finally, the low score related to effortful control and attentional control may be associated with problematic pornography use. This result follows recent research showing that low levels of effortful control are associated with individualbased compulsive sexual behavior (Efrati, 2018;Efrati and Dannon, 2018). In addition, effortful control measures the efficiency of executive attention, which is similar to executive function.…”

“…In relationships research that temperament and compulsive sexual behavior, effortful control, which is a temperamental dimension and is similar to executive function, was related to higher compulsive sexual behavior (Efrati, 2018). In fact, adolescents who exhibited clinical compulsive sexual behavior did not utilize effortful control (Efrati and Dannon, 2018). Furthermore, effortful control is known to comprise three difference functions (Rothbart et al, 2000): attentional control is the ability to focus attention appropriately or shift attention, inhibitory control is the ability to control inappropriate responses, and activation control is the ability to perform an action despite a strong tendency to avoid it.…”

Desire thinking as a predictor of compulsive sexual behaviour in adolescents: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation of the Hebrew version of the Desire Thinking Questionnaire

“…These behaviours often lead to impaired social or occupational functioning, distress and negative affect (Kafka, 2010;Kraus et al, 2018). The prevalence of CSBD ranges between 3 and 10% among adults (Carnes, Green, & Carnes, 2010;Coleman, 1992;Dickenson, Gleason, Coleman, & Miner, 2018;Reid, 2013;SASH, 2008) and it is especially pronounced among adolescents such that between 12 and 18% are thought to have CSBD (Efrati & Dannon, 2018). Of note, these rates are not based on a nationally representative sample of adolescents and so may be taken with caution until nation-wide studies will replicate these figures.…”

Early Maladaptive Schemas Are Highly Indicative of Compulsive Sexual Behavior

“…CSB is a disorder that characterizes between 3%–10% of adults (Carnes et al, 2010; Coleman, 1992; Dickenson et al, 2018) and 12%–18% of adolescents (Efrati & Dannon, 2018). Recently, Efrati and Mikulincer (2018) identified four facets of CSB that are in keeping with the definition of ICD-11 and that manifest both among adults (e.g., Efrati & Gola, 2018a, 2019b; Efrati et al, 2019) and adolescents (e.g., Efrati & Dannon, 2018; Efrati & Gola, 2018c): (a) Unwanted consequences because of sexual fantasies —how sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors carry harm to oneself (Reid et al, 2012) and/or to one’s close others such as family members (Reid et al, 2010), colleagues, and peers (Reid et al, 2011); (b) lack of behavioral control —constant uncontrolled engagement with sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors with numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behavior; (c) negative affect —negative feelings and distress accompanied by guilt and shame because of sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors; and (d) affect regulation —escape to sexual fantasies, pornography, and sexual behaviors because of pain, stress, and distress.…”