Lilybeth Fontanesi1, Daniela Marchetti1, Erika Limoncin2, Rodolfo Rossi3, Filippo M Nimbi4, Daniele Mollaioli2, Andrea Sansone2, Elena Colonnello2, Chiara Simonelli4, Giorgio Di Lorenzo3, Emmanuele A Jannini2, Giacomo Ciocca5. 1. Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. 2. Chair of Endocrinology & Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 3. Chair of Psychiatry Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 5. Chair of Endocrinology & Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: giacomo.ciocca@uniroma1.it.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: . Hypersexuality is a clinical condition regarding the psychopathology of sexual behavior. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of trauma, through the post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD), depression, shame and guilt on the hypersexual behavior. METHODS: . Through an online platform, a convenience sample of 1025 subjects was recruited (females: n=731; 71.3%; males: 294; 28.7%; age: 29.62±10.90). Recruited subjects compiled a psychometric protocol composed by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) to assess hypersexuality, the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) for PTSD, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate depression and the State Shame and Guilt Scale (SSGS) for shame and guilt. Then a mediation/moderation model was performed for the data analysis. RESULTS: . There was a statistically significant direct effect of post-traumatic symptoms (ITQTotal) on hypersexual behavior (HBTotal). Furthermore, indirect effects were also statistically significant, providing support to the hypothesis that depression and guilt would be serial mediators of trauma-hypersexual behavior relations. The paths through depression and guilt have been found to be the most significant with moderate and high indirect effects on hypersexuality. Moreover, male gender, as covariate variable, is a relevant risk factor for hypersexual behavior. CONCLUSION: . We found the relationship between hypersexuality and trauma describing a possible etiological pathway mainly involving depression, shame and guilt. Hypersexuality can be considered as a reactive form of a major affective psychopathology representing a tip of the iceberg hiding the real issues of a suffering personality. Clinicians and researchers should therefore consider hypersexual behavior in the light of a symptomatic manifestation of a major psychopathology involving the affective aspects of personality.
INTRODUCTION: . Hypersexuality is a clinical condition regarding the psychopathology of sexual behavior. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of trauma, through the post-traumatic stress-disorder (PTSD), depression, shame and guilt on the hypersexual behavior. METHODS: . Through an online platform, a convenience sample of 1025 subjects was recruited (females: n=731; 71.3%; males: 294; 28.7%; age: 29.62±10.90). Recruited subjects compiled a psychometric protocol composed by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI) to assess hypersexuality, the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) for PTSD, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate depression and the State Shame and Guilt Scale (SSGS) for shame and guilt. Then a mediation/moderation model was performed for the data analysis. RESULTS: . There was a statistically significant direct effect of post-traumatic symptoms (ITQTotal) on hypersexual behavior (HBTotal). Furthermore, indirect effects were also statistically significant, providing support to the hypothesis that depression and guilt would be serial mediators of trauma-hypersexual behavior relations. The paths through depression and guilt have been found to be the most significant with moderate and high indirect effects on hypersexuality. Moreover, male gender, as covariate variable, is a relevant risk factor for hypersexual behavior. CONCLUSION: . We found the relationship between hypersexuality and trauma describing a possible etiological pathway mainly involving depression, shame and guilt. Hypersexuality can be considered as a reactive form of a major affective psychopathology representing a tip of the iceberg hiding the real issues of a suffering personality. Clinicians and researchers should therefore consider hypersexual behavior in the light of a symptomatic manifestation of a major psychopathology involving the affective aspects of personality.
Authors: E Limoncin; G Ciocca; G Castellini; A Sansone; F Cavalieri; F Cavallo; T Cocchiaro; V Ricca; G di Lorenzo; A Rossi; A D Fisher; V Rochira; G Corona; E A Jannini Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 5.467
Authors: Lucy Albertella; Kristian Rotaru; Erynn Christensen; Amelia Lowe; Mary-Ellen Brierley; Karyn Richardson; Samuel R Chamberlain; Rico S C Lee; Edouard Kayayan; Jon E Grant; Sam Schluter-Hughes; Campbell Ince; Leonardo F Fontenelle; Rebecca Segrave; Murat Yücel Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 4.157