Sexual compulsivity in heterosexual married adults: the role of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in individuals not considered “high-risk”

Muise, Amy, Milhausen, Robin R., Cole, Sara L. and Graham, Cynthia (2013) Sexual compulsivity in heterosexual married adults: the role of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in individuals not considered “high-risk”. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 20 (3), 192-209. (doi:10.1080/10720162.2013.786661).

Abstract

In this study, we explored sexual compulsivity in a non-clinical, non-student, convenience sample of 1,301 heterosexual, married adults (240 women, 1,061 men). To situate our sample within the body of research on sexual compulsivity, we compared current participants’ scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) with those reported in other studies conducted over the last decade. Scores for the current sample were largely similar to those found in other studies. We also investigated whether sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, constructs in the dual control model of sexual response, would be useful in explaining differences in men's and women's sexual compulsivity. Higher Arousability scores (a subscale of sexual excitation) and lower Relationship Importance scores (a subscale of sexual inhibition) were associated with higher levels of sexual compulsivity for both men and women. Gender moderated the association between Inhibitory Cognitions (a subscale of sexual inhibition) and sexual compulsivity; greater inhibition was associated with higher sexual compulsivity for men, but not for women. The importance of assessing SCS in samples not considered “high risk” and the utility of applying a sexual inhibition/excitation framework to understanding sexual compulsivity are discussed

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Contributors

Author: Cynthia Graham

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