Abstract
The view that problematic excessive sexual behavior (“sex addiction”) is a form of behavioral addiction has gained more credence in recent years, but there is still considerable controversy regarding operationalization of the concept. Furthermore, most previous studies have relied on small clinical samples. The present study presents a new method for assessing sex addiction—the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS)—based on established addiction components (i.e., salience/craving, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict/problems, and relapse/loss of control). Using a cross-sectional survey, the BYSAS was administered to a broad national sample of 23,533 Norwegian adults [aged 16–88 years; mean (± SD) age = 35.8 ± 13.3 years], together with validated measures of the Big Five personality traits, narcissism, self-esteem, and a measure of sexual addictive behavior. Both an exploratory and a confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA = 0.046, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.996) supported a one-factor solution, although a local dependence between two items (Items 1 and 2) was detected. Furthermore, the scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.83). The BYSAS correlated significantly with the reference scale (r = 0.52), and demonstrated similar patterns of convergent and discriminant validity. The BYSAS was positively related to extroversion, neuroticism, intellect/imagination, and narcissism, and negatively related to conscientiousness, agreeableness, and self-esteem. High scores on the BYSAS were more prevalent among those who were men, single, of younger age, and with higher education. The BYSAS is a brief, and psychometrically reliable and valid measure for assessing sex addiction. However, further validation of the BYSAS is needed in other countries and contexts.
Highlights
In recent years research into frequent and persistent problematic sexual behavior has increased (Kraus et al, 2016)
Given the aforementioned findings and debates in the field, the present study explored the psychometric properties of a new brief sex addiction measure, the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS), consisting of items constructed on the basis of core criteria that have been emphasized across several behavioral addictions and that uses established addiction frameworks to highlight the content validity (Brown, 1993; Griffiths, 2005; American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Andreassen et al, 2013)
In terms of the differential item functioning (DIF) analyses males had scored higher than females on BYSAS4 and lower on BYSAS3 whereas young adults (16–39 years) scored higher on BYSAS3 and lower on BYSAS4 compared to older adults (40 to 88 years)
Summary
In recent years research into frequent and persistent problematic sexual behavior has increased (Kraus et al, 2016). In the wake of new research suggesting that sex has an addictive potential—most probably mediated by brain circuits and neurotransmitters that are known to be involved in the experience of reward and euphoria—the conceptual interest in hypersexuality as an addiction has rapidly grown (Holstege et al, 2003; Hamann et al, 2004; Goodman, 2008; Griffiths, 2012; Kor et al, 2013; Karila et al, 2014; Voon et al, 2014; Kingston, 2015) In this context, “sex addiction” can be defined as being intensely involved with sexual activities (e.g., fantasies, masturbation, intercourse, pornography) across different media (cybersex, telephone sex, etc.). Those with the condition report their sexual motivation is uncontrollable, and that they expend a lot of time both thinking about and being engaged in sexual activities that negatively affects many other areas in their lives
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