Mental Health

Open Access: No.

Abstract

Relevance

“To our knowledge, this is the first sample of UK university students seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviors, most commonly problematic pornography use. As such, the present study aimed to describe the population characteristics of the sample, to better understand the clinical presentation, demographic profile and potential treatment needs of students and young adults. Results demonstrated that CSB was a common presentation to a university-based addiction service, primarily related to PPU. Having been established primarily as a drug and alcohol service, this was an unexpected finding and has highlighted an apparent unmet need. Indeed, by the time students sought treatment-support for their unwanted sexual behaviors, in many cases their behavior met the threshold for CSB and was associated with significant impairment in functioning. Many also had co-morbid conditions such as anxiety, low mood, substance use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.”

“Results showed that students with problems related to pornography use started viewing it early, around 12 years of age, and developed a problematic relationship to it in their late teens—around the time many started University.”

“Interestingly, certain patterns were observed in our data that may warrant further investigation. Ninety percent of the students assessed identified negative internal states associated with their sexual behavior. This is consistent with existing evidence and clinical observations suggesting that CSB often function as a coping mechanism for managing stress and regulating negative affective states…Moreover, students seeking support for comorbid substance-use and CSB, identified a problematic relationship with alcohol or cannabis, specifically…[which] may suggest that some students turn to both substances and sexual behaviors for similar purposes—namely, to relieve emotional distress and manage psychological discomfort.”

Citation