title: Characteristics of self-identified sexual addicts in a behavioral addiction outpatient clinic.
abstract: Background and aims Research on sexual addiction flourished during the last decade, promoted by the development of an increased number of online sexual activities. Despite the accumulation of studies, however, evidence collected in clinical samples of treatment-seeking people remains scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics (socio-demographics, sexual habits, and comorbidities) of self-identified "sexual addicts." Methods The sample was composed of 72 patients who consulted an outpatient treatment center regarding their sexual behaviors. Data were collected through a combination of structured interviewing and self-report measures. Results Most patients were males (94.4%) aged 20-76 years (mean 40.3 ± 10.9). Endorsement of sexual addiction diagnosis varied from 56.9% to 95.8% depending on the criteria used. The sexual behaviors reported to have the highest degree of functional impairment were having multiple sexual partners (56%), having unprotected sexual intercourse (51.9%), and using cybersex (43.6%). Ninety percent of patients endorsed a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, and 60.6% presented at least one paraphilia. Conclusions Results showed highly different profiles in terms of sexual preferences and behaviors, as well as comorbidities involved. These findings highlight the need to develop tailored psychotherapeutic interventions by taking into account the complexity and heterogeneity of the disorder.
authors: 1 Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain , Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.|2 Internet and Gambling Disorders Clinic, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc , Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Aline
authors: A
authors: Wéry
authors: 1 Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain , Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Vogelaere
authors: 3 CHU de Nantes, Clinical Investigation Unit "Behavioral Addictions and Complex Mood Disorders," Department of Addictology and Psychiatry, Nantes, France.|4 Université de Nantes, EA 4275 SPHERE "MethodS for Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth Research," Nantes, France.
authors: Gaëlle
authors: G
authors: Challet-Bouju
authors: 3 CHU de Nantes, Clinical Investigation Unit "Behavioral Addictions and Complex Mood Disorders," Department of Addictology and Psychiatry, Nantes, France.
authors: François-Xavier
authors: FX
authors: Poudat
authors: 3 CHU de Nantes, Clinical Investigation Unit "Behavioral Addictions and Complex Mood Disorders," Department of Addictology and Psychiatry, Nantes, France.|4 Université de Nantes, EA 4275 SPHERE "MethodS for Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth Research," Nantes, France.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Caillon
authors: 3 CHU de Nantes, Clinical Investigation Unit "Behavioral Addictions and Complex Mood Disorders," Department of Addictology and Psychiatry, Nantes, France.
authors: Delphine
authors: D
authors: Lever
authors: 1 Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain , Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.|2 Internet and Gambling Disorders Clinic, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc , Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Joël
authors: J
authors: Billieux
authors: 3 CHU de Nantes, Clinical Investigation Unit "Behavioral Addictions and Complex Mood Disorders," Department of Addictology and Psychiatry, Nantes, France.|4 Université de Nantes, EA 4275 SPHERE "MethodS for Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth Research," Nantes, France.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Grall-Bronnec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: comorbidities; excessive sexual behavior; hypersexuality; sexual addiction