Compulsive sexual behavior among male military veterans: prevalence and associated clinical factors

Philip H Smith; Marc N Potenza; Carolyn M Mazure; Sherry A McKee; Crystal L Park; Rani A Hoff

doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.4.2

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Compulsive sexual behavior among male military veterans: prevalence and associated clinical factors

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Compulsive sexual behavior among male military veterans: prevalence and associated clinical factors

Philip H Smith, Marc N Potenza, Carolyn M Mazure, Sherry A McKee, Crystal L Park and Rani A Hoff

Journal of behavioral addictions, v 3(4), pp 214-222

01 Dec 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/JBA.3.2014.4.2

PMID: 25592306

Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

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Abstract

Adult

Afghan Campaign 2001

Age Factors

Child

Child Abuse - statistics & numerical data

Compulsive Behavior - epidemiology

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Iraq War, 2003-2011

Male

Prevalence

Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology

United States - epidemiology

Veterans - statistics & numerical data

Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is highly prevalent among men, often co-occurring with psychiatric disorders and traumatic experiences. Psychiatric disorders and trauma are highly prevalent among military veterans, yet there is a paucity of research on CSB among military samples. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with CSB among male military veterans. Surveys were administered to veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, or New Dawn at baseline (n = 258), 3 months(n = 194), and 6 months (n = 136). Bivariate analyses and Generalized Estimating Equations were utilized to estimate associations between CSB and the following variables: psychiatric co-morbidity, childhood physical or sexual trauma, pre- and post-deployment experiences, TV/ Internet usage, and sociodemographics. Associations between CSB and specific PTSD symptom clusters were also examined. CSB was reported by 16.7% of the sample at baseline. Several variables were associated with CSB in bivariate analyses; however, only PTSD severity, childhood sexual trauma, and age remained significant in multivariable GEE models. The PTSD symptom cluster re-experiencing was most strongly associated with CSB. This exploratory study suggests that CSB is prevalent amongst veterans returning from combat and is associated with childhood trauma and PTSD, particularly re-experiencing. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms linking PTSD and CSB, define the context and severity of CSB in veterans, and examine the best ways to assess and treat CSB in VA clinical settings.

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48 citations in Web of Science

52 citations in Scopus

Details

Title: Compulsive sexual behavior among male military veterans: prevalence and associated clinical factors
Creators: Philip H Smith - Yale University
Marc N Potenza - Yale University
Carolyn M Mazure - Yale University
Sherry A McKee - Yale University
Crystal L Park - University of Connecticut
Rani A Hoff - Yale University
Publication Details: Journal of behavioral addictions, v 3(4), pp 214-222
Grant note: RL1 AA017539 / NIAAA NIH HHS T32MH01423539 / NIMH NIH HHS
Resource Type: Journal article
Language: English
Academic Unit: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
Web of Science ID: WOS:000347662500002
Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84923224831
Other Identifier: 991022031021904721