title: Compulsive sexual behavior among male military veterans: prevalence and associated clinical factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is highly prevalent among men, often co-occurring with psychiatric disorders and traumatic experiences. Psychiatric disorders and trauma are highly prevalent among military veterans, yet there is a paucity of research on CSB among military samples. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with CSB among male military veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were administered to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, or New Dawn at baseline (n = 258), 3 months(n = 194), and 6 months (n = 136). Bivariate analyses and Generalized Estimating Equations were utilized to estimate associations between CSB and the following variables: psychiatric co-morbidity, childhood physical or sexual trauma, pre- and post-deployment experiences, TV/ Internet usage, and sociodemographics. Associations between CSB and specific PTSD symptom clusters were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CSB was reported by 16.7% of the sample at baseline. Several variables were associated with CSB in bivariate analyses; however, only PTSD severity, childhood sexual trauma, and age remained significant in multivariable GEE models. The PTSD symptom cluster re-experiencing was most strongly associated with CSB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This exploratory study suggests that CSB is prevalent amongst veterans returning from combat and is associated with childhood trauma and PTSD, particularly re-experiencing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms linking PTSD and CSB, define the context and severity of CSB in veterans, and examine the best ways to assess and treat CSB in VA clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Yale University Epidemiology and Public Health New Haven CT USA.
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry New Haven CT USA Yale University School of Medicine Department of Neurobiology New Haven CT USA Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center New Haven CT USA.
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry New Haven CT USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mazure
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry New Haven CT USA.
authors.forename: Sherry A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut Department of Psychology Storrs CT USA.
authors.forename: Crystal L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry New Haven CT USA VISN 1 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Care Center (MIRECC) Department of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC USA.
authors.forename: Rani A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: PTSD; child abuse; compulsive sexual behavior; military; trauma; veterans