The relation of perceived social support to compulsive sexual behavior

Abstract

We conducted two studies to investigate the links between perceived social support, problematic pornography use (PPU) and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). In Study 1 (n=807, convenience sample recruited via social media) we collected preliminary data and in Study 2 (n=1526) we checked whether the results replicate in a sample representative of the Polish adult population. In both studies participants completed the Brief Pornography Screen, Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. In Study 1 and 2, general social support was a weak protective factor against CSBD (β = −0.15 and β = −0.10) and PPU (β = −0.12 and β = −0.09 respectively, all p values ≤ .001) adjusting for gender, age, sexual orientation and relationship status. The results for three domains of social support (from friends, significant other and family), however, largely differed between the two studies. In Study 1, perceived friends’ support weakly protected against PPU and CSBD symptoms. In Study 2 higher support from friends weakly predicted lower CSBD symptoms among men; and stronger family support predicted lower PPU. Support from a significant other was weakly related to lower CSBD for women in Study 1. The conducted studies provided evidence that perceived social support is a protective factor against problematic sexual behavior; however, its predictive power is limited and further studies are needed to assess the importance of various domains of social support in the development of CSBD and PPU symptoms.