Models explaining addictive behaviors such as the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution I-PACE model emphasize the importance of reinforcement mechanisms for developing and maintaining these behaviors, including compulsive sexual behavior disorder CSBD as well as personal characteristics as vulnerability factors.
This study aimed to determine whether there are CSBD subtypes distinguished by reinforcement sensitivity. We calculated a cluster analysis with data from 62 patients with CSBD and tested differences between the identified clusters by t -test. The sample consisted only of men.
No significant difference in symptom severity of Sexual Compulsivity between clusters was found. Cluster 2 showed higher Importance of Sex and a higher motivation to seek sexual encounters than cluster 2. We found a two-cluster solution regarding reinforcement sensitivity in patients with CSBD.
This may have clinical implications regarding individual therapy by focusing on the underlying maintenance mechanisms.
Keywords: behavioral addiction; cluster analysis; compulsive sexual behavior; reinforcement; subtypes. Abstract Models explaining addictive behaviors such as the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution I-PACE model emphasize the importance of reinforcement mechanisms for developing and maintaining these behaviors, including compulsive sexual behavior disorder CSBD as well as personal characteristics as vulnerability factors.
