Compulsive sexual behavior disorder in 42 countries: Insights from the International Sex Survey and introduction of standardized assessment tools
Authors: Bőthe Beáta , Koós Mónika , Nagy Léna , Kraus Shane W. , Demetrovics Zsolt , Potenza Marc N. , Michaud Aurélie , Ballester-Arnal Rafael , Batthyány Dominik , Bergeron Sophie , Billieux Joël , Briken Peer , Burkauskas Julius , Cárdenas-López Georgina , Carvalho Joana , Castro-Calvo Jesús , Chen Lijun , Ciocca Giacomo , Corazza Ornella , Csako Rita , Fernandez David P. , Fernandez Elaine F. , Fournier Loïs , Fujiwara Hironobu , Fuss Johannes , Gabrhelík Roman , Gewirtz-Meydan Ateret , Gjoneska Biljana , Gola Mateusz , Grubbs Joshua B. , Hashim Hashim T. , Islam Md. Saiful , Ismail Mustafa , Jiménez-Martínez Martha C. , Jurin Tanja , Kalina Ondrej , Klein Verena , Költő András , Lee Chih-Ting , Lee Sang-Kyu , Lewczuk Karol , Lin Chung-Ying , _ _ , Lochner Christine , López-Alvarado Silvia , Lukavská Kateřina , Mayta-Tristán Percy , Milea Ionut , Miller Dan J. , Orosová Oľga , Orosz Gábor , _ _ , Ponce Fernando P. , Quintana Gonzalo R. , Quintero Garzola Gabriel C. , Ramos-Diaz Jano , Rigaud Kévin , Rousseau Ann , De Tubino Scanavino Marco , Schulmeyer Marion K. , Sharan Pratap , Shibata Mami , Shoib Sheikh , Sigre Leirós Vera L. , Sniewski Luke , Spasovski Ognen , Steibliene Vesta , Stein Dan J. , Strizek Julian , Štulhofer Aleksandar , Ünsal Berk C. , Vaillancourt-Morel Marie-Pier 
Published: June 2023

Background and aims

Despite its inclusion in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, there is a virtual paucity of high-quality scientific evidence about compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), especially in underrepresented and underserved populations. Therefore, we comprehensively examined CSBD across 42 countries, genders, and sexual orientations, and validated the original (CSBD-19) and short (CSBD-7) versions of the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale to provide standardized, state-of-the-art screening tools for research and clinical practice.

Method

Using data from the International Sex Survey (N = 82,243; Mage = 32.39 years, SD = 12.52), we evaluated the psychometric properties of the CSBD-19 and CSBD-7 and compared CSBD across 42 countries, three genders, eight sexual orientations, and individuals with low vs. high risk of experiencing CSBD.

Results

A total of 4.8% of the participants were at high risk of experiencing CSBD. Country- and gender-based differences were observed, while no sexual-orientation-based differences were present in CSBD levels. Only 14% of individuals with CSBD have ever sought treatment for this disorder, with an additional 33% not having sought treatment because of various reasons. Both versions of the scale demonstrated excellent validity and reliability.

Discussion and conclusions

This study contributes to a better understanding of CSBD in underrepresented and underserved populations and facilitates its identification in diverse populations by providing freely accessible ICD-11-based screening tools in 26 languages. The findings may also serve as a crucial building block to stimulate research into evidence-based, culturally sensitive prevention and intervention strategies for CSBD that are currently missing from the literature.