Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Nora E. Charles

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Randolph Arnau

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Bradley Green

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

Currently sex addiction is not recognized as a mental disorder in the DSM-5-TR, yet it continues to negatively affect a significant number of people annually. The following study aimed to explore the relationships between sex addiction, attachment styles, and suicide-related behavior, and other psychopathology related symptoms as measured by the MMPI-3. Using data from the MMPI-3, the Sexual Dependency Inventory-4th Edition, the Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Revised, and the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, this study explored the relationship between attachment style and sex addiction symptoms, suicidality, and sex addiction severity in a sample of 222 men seeking treatment for a sex addiction diagnosis. Further, to investigate differences in the experience of sex addiction and attachment styles, a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted. Results revealed multiple differences in psychopathology presentation among attachment groups. Further, the regression revealed that the anxiety subscale was positively related to the SDI diagnostic criteria score and the SAST-R core score. The interactions term (suicide-related behaviors and attachment subscales) was found to be non-significant. Possible implications of this study include further understanding of the etiology and psychopathology presentation of sex addiction.

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