Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Development of a structure-validated hypersexuality scale in Chinese university students

Authors: Yanli Jia, Xu Shao, Chanchan Shen, Wei Wang

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Hypersexuality is associated with many psychiatric disorders and creates enormous burden for the affected individual, family and society. There are numerous inventories measuring behavioral, emotional or stressful features of hypersexuality, we still need a structure-validated questionnaire to measure hypersexuality in a comprehensive way.

Methods

Based on previous inventories and related clinical descriptions of hypersexuality, we designed a matrix of 72 items related to hypersexual experience, and we invited 282 heterosexual university students who experienced hypersexuality at least once life-long to answer the matrix.

Results

Through exploratory factor analyses and exploratory structural equation modeling, we constructed a Hypersexuality Scale, with a satisfactory model structure of five factors (or scales, 4 items for each scale) of hypersexuality, and named them as the Negative Impact, Emotional Coping, Uncontrolled Behavior, Post-sex Regret, and Increased Interest. Most inter-correlations of these factors were significant but in low or medium levels in all participants. Male students scored significantly higher on Negative Impact and Increased Interest than females did.

Conclusions

The five scales described in this study might help to understand hypersexuality, and the Hypersexuality Scale might be applied to the clinical conditions related to hypersexuality.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Coleman E. Sexual compulsivity: definition, etiology, and treatment considerations. J Chem Dep Treat. 1987;1:189–204. Coleman E. Sexual compulsivity: definition, etiology, and treatment considerations. J Chem Dep Treat. 1987;1:189–204.
3.
go back to reference World Health Organization. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, the 11th version (ICD-11). Geneve: World Health Organization; 2019. World Health Organization. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, the 11th version (ICD-11). Geneve: World Health Organization; 2019.
7.
go back to reference Odlaug BL, Lust K, Schreiber LR, Christenson G, Derbyshire K, Harvanko A, et al. Compulsive sexual behavior in young adults. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013;25(3):193–200.PubMed Odlaug BL, Lust K, Schreiber LR, Christenson G, Derbyshire K, Harvanko A, et al. Compulsive sexual behavior in young adults. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013;25(3):193–200.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Engel J, Kessler A, Veit M, et al. Hypersexual behavior in a large online sample: individual characteristics and signs of coercive sexual behavior. J Behav Addict. 2019;8:1–10.CrossRef Engel J, Kessler A, Veit M, et al. Hypersexual behavior in a large online sample: individual characteristics and signs of coercive sexual behavior. J Behav Addict. 2019;8:1–10.CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Anonymous S. Sexaholics Anonymous. SA Literature: Nashville; 1989. Anonymous S. Sexaholics Anonymous. SA Literature: Nashville; 1989.
18.
go back to reference Montaldi DF. Understanding hypersexuality with an Axis II model. J Psychol Hum Sex. 2002;14:1–23.CrossRef Montaldi DF. Understanding hypersexuality with an Axis II model. J Psychol Hum Sex. 2002;14:1–23.CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Geller B, Zimerman B, Williams M, Bolhofner K, Craney JL, DelBello MP, et al. Diagnostic characteristics of 93 cases of a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype by gender, puberty and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2000;10(3):157–64. https://doi.org/10.1089/10445460050167269.CrossRefPubMed Geller B, Zimerman B, Williams M, Bolhofner K, Craney JL, DelBello MP, et al. Diagnostic characteristics of 93 cases of a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype by gender, puberty and comorbid attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2000;10(3):157–64. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1089/​1044546005016726​9.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Carnes PJ. Contrary to love: helping the sexual addict. Minneapolis: CompCare Publishers; 1989. Carnes PJ. Contrary to love: helping the sexual addict. Minneapolis: CompCare Publishers; 1989.
33.
go back to reference Carnes PJ, O’Hara S. Sexual addiction screening test (SAST). Tennessee Nurse. 1991;54:29.PubMed Carnes PJ, O’Hara S. Sexual addiction screening test (SAST). Tennessee Nurse. 1991;54:29.PubMed
38.
go back to reference Muthén BO, Muthén LK. Mplus version 7.11. Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén; 2013. Muthén BO, Muthén LK. Mplus version 7.11. Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén; 2013.
Metadata
Title
Development of a structure-validated hypersexuality scale in Chinese university students
Authors
Yanli Jia
Xu Shao
Chanchan Shen
Wei Wang
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03362-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Psychiatry 1/2021 Go to the issue