The role of negative mood states and consequences of hypersexual behaviours in predicting hypersexuality among university students

Abstract

Background and AimsThe issue of whether hypersexual behaviours exist among university students is controversial because many of these individuals engage in sexual exploration during their time at university. To date, little is known about the correlates of hypersexual behaviours among university students in the UK. Therefore, the aims of this exploratory study were two-fold. Firstly, to explore and establish the correlates of hypersexual behaviours, and secondly, to investigate whether hypersexuality among university students can be predicted by variables relating to negative mood states (i.e., emotional dysregulation, loneliness, shame, and life satisfaction) and consequences of hypersexual behaviour.MethodsSurvey data from 165 British university students was analysed using regression analyses.ResultsThe full regression model significantly predicted hypersexual behaviours. However, only a small number of predictor variables (i.e., gender, consequences of hypersexual behaviours, life satisfaction and emotional dysregulation) accounted for the significant unique influence on hypersexual behaviours among the sample.ConclusionsThe study empirically supported the concept of hypersexual disorder. The implications of these findings are also discussed.

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

“…Their social nature may also increase the potential of more sexual opportunities (e.g., socializing at parties, leisure events, etc.). The positive relationship with neuroticism also corroborates findings from previous studies (Pinto et al, 2013 ; Rettenberger et al, 2016 ; Walton et al, 2017 ), and is congruent with the assumption that sex has an anxiolytic effect (Coleman, 1992 ), and that engaging in sexual activities may function as an escape from dysphoric feelings (O'Brien and DeLongis, 1996 ; Dhuffar et al, 2015 ; Wéry et al, 2016b ). Intellect/imagination also had a positive relationship with addictive sexual behavior.…”

Development of a Structure-Validated Hypersexuality Scale in Chinese University Students

“…Another study also found that among heterosexual couples, the increasing likelihood of regrettable sexual behaviors in negative mood states was a signi cant predictor of sexual in delity [44]. Furthermore, people with hypersexual behaviors were more likely to experience shame [45][46][47].…”

The correlation between mood states and functional connectivity within the default mode network can differentiate Internet gaming disorder from healthy controls

“…As existed in IGD, these disorders have also been characterized to varying extents by difficulties in emotional regulation. As mood may affect cognitive functioning, studies should also examine the broader impact of decreased FC within the DMN in healthy and psychiatric populations (Dhuffar et al, 2015;Foland-Ross et al, 2012;Jackson et al, 2016;Prossin et al, 2016). As mindfulness meditation training may increase DMN FC (Creswell et al, 2016), future studies may also examine the extent to which such interventions may be helpful for psychiatric conditions and operate through changes in FC of the DMN.…”

“…Compared to emotions, moods may be less intense, less specific, and less likely to be triggered by a particular event (Jackson and Arlegui-Prieto, 2016). Moods are typically described as having either a good/positive or bad/negative valence, and moods, especially negative ones, have important implications for human mental and psychological wellbeing (Dhuffar et al, 2015;Foland-Ross et al, 2012;Jackson et al, 2016;Prossin et al, 2016). It is possible that the FC of the DMN may relate to mood states.…”