title: Gender-related differences in the associations between sexual impulsivity and psychiatric disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual impulsivity (SI) has been associated with conditions that have substantial public health costs, such as sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. However, SI has not been examined systematically with respect to its relationships to psychopathology. We aimed to investigate associations between SI and psychopathology, including gender-related differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a secondary data analysis of Wave-2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a national sample of 34,653 adults in the United States. DSM-IV-based diagnoses of mood, anxiety, drug and personality disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Scheduled DSM-IV Version.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of SI was considerable (14.7%), with greater acknowledgment by men than women (18.9% versus 10.9%; p < 0.0001). For both women and men, SI was positively associated with most Axis-I and Axis-II psychiatric disorders (OR range: Women, Axis-I:1.89-6.14, Axis-II:2.10-10.02; Men, Axis-I:1.92-6.21, Axis-II:1.63-6.05). Significant gender-related differences were observed. Among women as compared to men, SI was more strongly associated with social phobia, alcohol abuse/dependence, and paranoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The robust associations between SI and psychopathology across genders suggest the need for screening and interventions related to SI for individuals with psychiatric concerns. The stronger associations between SI and psychopathology among women as compared to men emphasize the importance of a gender-oriented perspective in targeting SI. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the extent to SI predates, postdates or co-occurs with specific psychiatric conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod Hasharon, Israel, Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: galit.erez1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Galit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Corey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pilver
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Co-occurrence; Gender; Psychiatric disorders; Sexual impulsivity