Cited by 220Sexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyGambling Behavior and TreatmentsImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Revisiting the role of impulsivity and compulsivity in problematic sexual behaviors

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Bőthe, Beáta, Tóth-Király, István, Potenza, Marc N., Griffiths, Mark D., Orosz, Gábor, Demetrovics, Zsolt·2019·The Journal of Sex Research

Abstract

Impulsivity and compulsivity are transdiagnostic features associated with clinically relevant aspects of psychiatric disorders, including addictions. However, little research has investigated how impulsivity and compulsivity relate to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate (a) self-reported impulsivity and compulsivity with respect to hypersexuality and problematic pornography use and (b) the similarities and possible differences between hypersexuality and problematic pornography use in these domains. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) in a large community sample (N = 13,778 participants; female = 4,151, 30.1%), results indicated that impulsivity (β = .28, β = .26) and compulsivity (β = .23, β = .14) were weakly related to problematic pornography use among men and women, respectively. Impulsivity had a stronger relationship (β = .41, β = .42) with hypersexuality than did compulsivity (β = .21, β = .16) among men and women, respectively. Consequently, impulsivity and compulsivity may not contribute as substantially to problematic pornography use as some scholars have proposed. On the other hand, impulsivity might have a more prominent role in hypersexuality than in problematic pornography use. Future research should examine further social and situational factors associated with problematic pornography use.

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Authors
Bőthe, B., Tóth-Király, I., Potenza, M. N., Griffiths, M. D., Orosz, G., & Demetrovics, Z.
Affiliations
  • Eötvös Loránd University (HU)
  • ,
  • Yale University (US)
  • Nottingham Trent University (GB)
  • Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology (HU)
Corresponding author
Bőthe, Beáta
Venue
The Journal of Sex Research
Published
2018-06-18
Volume
56
Issue
2
Pages
166-179
ISSN
  • 0022-4499 (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-8519
OpenAlex
W2808189825
Cited by
220
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 77 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 6
FWCI
34.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
  • The Journal of Sex Research (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
  • ELTE Digital Institutional Repository (EDIT) (Eötvös Loránd University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office (PD116686)
  • Hungarian Academy of Sciences (LP2012-36)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
impulsivity, compulsivity, hypersexuality, problematic pornography use, problematic sexual behavior, transdiagnostic features, sexual addiction, gender differences
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Compulsive Behavior, Erotica, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Male, Middle Aged, Sexual Behavior, Young Adult

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