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Cited by 39Sexuality, Behavior, and TechnologyMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsGambling Behavior and Treatments

A pilot study of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for compulsive sexual behaviour disorder

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Holas, Paweł, Draps, Małgorzata, Kowalewska, Ewelina, Lewczuk, Karol, Gola, Mateusz·2021·Journal of Behavioral Addictions
DOI 10.1556/2006.2020.00075PMC PMC8969735
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Abstract

Background and aims: Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder (CSBD) is a medical condition that can impair social and occupational functioning and lead to severe distress. To date, treatment effectiveness studies of CSBD are under-developed; typically, treatment for CSBD is based on guidelines for substance or other behavioural addictions. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an evidence-based treatment for substance addiction aimed at, among other things, reducing craving and negative affect—i.e. processes that are implicated in the maintenance of problematic sexual behaviours. However, to our knowledge no prior research has been published evaluating mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in the treatment of CSBD, except two clinical case reports. Therefore, the aim of the current pilot study was to examine whether MBRP can lead to clinical improvement in CSBD. Methods : Participants were 13 adult males with a diagnosis of CSBD. Before and after the eight-week MBRP intervention, participants completed a booklet of questionnaires including measurements of porn viewing, masturbation and emotional distress. Results : As expected, we found that after MBRP participants spent significantly less time engaging in problematic pornography use and exhibited a decrease in anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings indicate that MBRP could be beneficial for CSBD individuals. Further clinical effectiveness studies with bigger sample sizes, delayed post-training measurements and randomised control trial design are warranted. In conclusion, MBRP leads to a decrease in time spent watching porn and a decrease in emotional distress in CSBD patients.

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Authors
Holas, P., Draps, M., Kowalewska, E., Lewczuk, K., & Gola, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Warsaw (PL)
  • Institute of Psychology (PL)
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
  • Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (PL)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Holas, Paweł
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Publisher
Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
Published
2021-01-15
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
1088-1092
ISSN
  • 2062-5871 (ISSN-L)
  • 2063-5303
DOI
10.1556/2006.2020.00075
PMC
PMC8969735
OpenAlex
W3101353513
Cited by
39
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Behavioral Addictions (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
  • Psychology Faculty University of Warsaw (181400-32)
  • Polish National Science Centre (2014/15/B/HS6/03792, 2016/23/N/HS6/02906)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
Keywords
mindfulness-based relapse prevention, mindfulness-based interventions, pornography use, masturbation, emotional distress, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety, depression, treatment effectiveness
MeSH terms
Adult, Compulsive Behavior, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Sexual Behavior, Secondary Prevention, Mindfulness

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