Jack L Turban1, Eliza Passell2, Luke Scheuer2, Laura Germine3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Electronic address: Jack.turban@mgh.harvard.edu. 2. Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA. 3. Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Geosocial networking applications (GNAs) are relatively new outlets through which individuals may find partners for sexual encounters. There has been a paucity of research on the associations between use of these platforms and measures of mental health and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). AIM: To examine associations between use of GNA, anxiety, and CSBD. METHODS: Using data from a large nontargeted Web-based sample (N = 4,203), we examined demographics associated with the use of GNAs. Using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographic differences between users and non-users, we examined associations between GNA use, anxiety, and CSBD. OUTCOMES: The outcomes are Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and a modified Hypersexual Behavior Inventory-19. RESULTS: The percentage of participants that reported they used GNAs was 12.3%. Those who reported using the applications compared with those who did not were more likely to be young, male, and nonheterosexual. After adjusting for demographic variables, GNAs use was associated with CSBD (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.37, P = .015) but not anxiety. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study is an initial foray into the relationships between GNA and mental health, establishing a relationship between GNA use and CSBD. Future research is needed to better understand the relationships between GNA use, psychopathology, and CSBD. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths of the study include its large sample size and nontargeted recruitment design, which minimizes confirmation bias. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of this study, which precludes determination of the direction of causation. CONCLUSION: Use of GNAs was prevalent among our sample and associated with CSBD. GNA use may represent an important platform through which CSBD manifests. Conversely, GNA use may drive CSBD. Turban JL, Passell E, Scheuer L, et al. Use of Geosocial Networking Applications Is Associated With Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in an Online Sample. J Sex Med 2020;17:1574-1578.
BACKGROUND: Geosocial networking applications (GNAs) are relatively new outlets through which individuals may find partners for sexual encounters. There has been a paucity of research on the associations between use of these platforms and measures of mental health and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). AIM: To examine associations between use of GNA, anxiety, and CSBD. METHODS: Using data from a large nontargeted Web-based sample (N = 4,203), we examined demographics associated with the use of GNAs. Using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographic differences between users and non-users, we examined associations between GNA use, anxiety, and CSBD. OUTCOMES: The outcomes are Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and a modified Hypersexual Behavior Inventory-19. RESULTS: The percentage of participants that reported they used GNAs was 12.3%. Those who reported using the applications compared with those who did not were more likely to be young, male, and nonheterosexual. After adjusting for demographic variables, GNAs use was associated with CSBD (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.37, P = .015) but not anxiety. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study is an initial foray into the relationships between GNA and mental health, establishing a relationship between GNA use and CSBD. Future research is needed to better understand the relationships between GNA use, psychopathology, and CSBD. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths of the study include its large sample size and nontargeted recruitment design, which minimizes confirmation bias. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of this study, which precludes determination of the direction of causation. CONCLUSION: Use of GNAs was prevalent among our sample and associated with CSBD. GNA use may represent an important platform through which CSBD manifests. Conversely, GNA use may drive CSBD. Turban JL, Passell E, Scheuer L, et al. Use of Geosocial Networking Applications Is Associated With Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in an Online Sample. J Sex Med 2020;17:1574-1578.
Authors: Ian W Holloway; Shannon Dunlap; Homero E Del Pino; Keith Hermanstyne; Craig Pulsipher; Raphael J Landovitz Journal: Curr Addict Rep Date: 2014-09
Authors: Lauren A Rutter; David Dodell-Feder; Ipsit V Vahia; Brent P Forester; Kerry J Ressler; Jeremy B Wilmer; Laura Germine Journal: J Exp Psychol Gen Date: 2019-02-18
Authors: Geoffrey M Reed; Michael B First; Cary S Kogan; Steven E Hyman; Oye Gureje; Wolfgang Gaebel; Mario Maj; Dan J Stein; Andreas Maercker; Peter Tyrer; Angelica Claudino; Elena Garralda; Luis Salvador-Carulla; Rajat Ray; John B Saunders; Tarun Dua; Vladimir Poznyak; María Elena Medina-Mora; Kathleen M Pike; José L Ayuso-Mateos; Shigenobu Kanba; Jared W Keeley; Brigitte Khoury; Valery N Krasnov; Maya Kulygina; Anne M Lovell; Jair de Jesus Mari; Toshimasa Maruta; Chihiro Matsumoto; Tahilia J Rebello; Michael C Roberts; Rebeca Robles; Pratap Sharan; Min Zhao; Assen Jablensky; Pichet Udomratn; Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar; Per-Anders Rydelius; Sabine Bährer-Kohler; Ann D Watts; Shekhar Saxena Journal: World Psychiatry Date: 2019-02 Impact factor: 49.548
Authors: Shane W Kraus; Richard B Krueger; Peer Briken; Michael B First; Dan J Stein; Meg S Kaplan; Valerie Voon; Carmita H N Abdo; Jon E Grant; Elham Atalla; Geoffrey M Reed Journal: World Psychiatry Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 49.548
Authors: Randolph D Hubach; Joseph M Currin; Zachary Giano; Hunter J Meyers; Kyle R DeBoy; Denna L Wheeler; Julie M Croff Journal: Health Equity Date: 2019-05-20