Identifying Relationships Between Difficulties with Emotion Regulation and Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Emotion dysregulation is a recognized feature of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD).
• Previous research links trait emotion dysregulation with CSBD.
• Difficulties with Emotion Regulation (DERS) has multiple facets influencing mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between specific DERS facets and compulsive sexual behavior (CSB).
• To examine the role of interpersonal emotion regulation (attachment anxiety and avoidance) in CSB.
• To understand how DERS facets and attachment styles contribute to CSB.

Main Methods:

• Hierarchical regression analysis was used on a large, diverse online sample (N = 915).
• Demographic covariates, attachment styles, and DERS subscales were sequentially added to the model.
• Statistical analysis identified significant associations between DERS facets, attachment, and CSB.

Main Results:

• Difficulty controlling impulses when upset, lack of emotional clarity, and non-acceptance of emotions were significantly associated with CSB.
• Attachment anxiety and avoidance showed positive associations with CSB, but their impact diminished with the inclusion of DERS facets.
• The findings indicate small to moderate effect sizes for the identified relationships.

Conclusions:

• The study supports the theoretical link between emotion dysregulation and CSB.
• Individual differences in DERS facets are important considerations for CSB.
• Targeting emotion regulation difficulties is crucial for the clinical treatment of CSB.