Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations on Factors Contributing to Cybersex Addiction From a Cognitive-Behavioral View
AUTHOR(S)
PUBLISHED
2014 in Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, Vol. 21(4), pp. 305-321
KEY FINDINGS
- The results of this study show that there are factors of vulnerability to cybersex addiction and provide evidence for the role of sexual gratification and dysfunctional coping in the development of cybersex addiction.
ABSTRACT
The nature of a phenomenon often called cybersex addiction (CA) and its mechanisms of development are discussed. Previous work suggests that some individuals might be vulnerable to CA, while positive reinforcement and cue-reactivity are considered to be core mechanisms of CA development. In this study, 155 heterosexual males rated 100 pornographic pictures and indicated their increase of sexual arousal. Moreover, tendencies towards CA, sensitivity to sexual excitation, and dysfunctional use of sex in general were assessed.... READ FULL ABSTRACT
EXCERPTS
- "We demonstrated that a dysfunctional use of sex mediated the relationship between sexual excitability and tendencies towards CA. Considering this result, individuals might be even more vulnerable for developing CA if they are prone to receiving gratification from cybersex use. Using sexual behaviors to fix aversive emotions or to reduce feelings of stress or discomfort might be considered one further important mechanism of CA’s development"
