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Symposia

Addictive Behaviors

Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Diverse Populations: Garnering Insights Through Mixed Methods Approaches

4 - (SYM 64) Trajectories of CSBD Symptoms in a U.S. National Sample: A Three Year Longitudinal Study

Sunday, November 23, 2025
12:46 PM - 1:00 PM CST
Location: Bolden 4, Level 2
Keywords: Addictive Behaviors, Methods, LGBTQ+
Recommended Readings: Jennings, T. L., Gleason, N., Grubbs, J. B., & Kraus, S. W. (2024). Compulsive sexual behavior in LGBTQ individuals and minority stress theory: A literature review and theoretical integration. Current Addiction Reports, 11(2), 256-264.,   Grubbs, J. B., Hoagland, K. C., Lee, B. N., Grant, J. T., Davison, P., Reid, R. C., & Kraus, S. W. (2020). Sexual addiction 25 years on: A systematic and methodological review of empirical literature and an agenda for future research. Clinical psychology review, 82, 101925.,   Borgogna, N. C., Owen, T., Johnson, D., & Kraus, S. W. (2024). No magic pill: A systematic review of the pharmacological treatments for compulsive sexual behavior disorder. The Journal of Sex Research, 61(9), 1328-1341.,   Bőthe, B., Koós, M., Nagy, L., Kraus, S. W., Demetrovics, Z., Potenza, M. N., ... & Vaillancourt-Morel, M. P. (2023). Compulsive sexual behavior disorder in 42 countries: Insights from the International Sex Survey and introduction of standardized assessment tools. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 12(2), 393-407.,   Gleason, N., Finotelli Jr, I., Miner, M. H., Herbenick, D., & Coleman, E. (2021). Estimated prevalence and demographic correlates of compulsive sexual behavior among gay men in the United States. The journal of sexual medicine, 18(9), 1545-1554.
Abstract Body

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder's recent inclusion in the ICD-11 spurred a dramatic increase in research efforts related to the prevalence, presentation, and progression of CSBD in diverse populations. However, there has been very little research on the natural trajectory of CSBD symptoms over time in the general public. Accordingly, and in keeping with this convention's theme of research at the intersection of public health and behavioral health, the present work seeks to examine how symptoms of CSBD naturally progress in the American populace over a three-year period.

Beginning with a census-matched sample of American adults (N = 4,363) recruited via YouGov America, participants were followed for three years, completing surveys at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 36 months. Symptoms of CSBD were measured via the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Diagnostic Inventory (CSBD-DI), and sexual behavior frequency was measured at each time point. Trajectories were assessed using latent growth curve models, and correspondence between trajectories was tested using parallel process latent growth curve models.

Results suggested that CSBD symptoms decreased linearly over time (Slope = -0.039, p < .001), as did frequency of pornography viewing (Slope = -.038, p < .001) and partnered sexual encounters (Slope = -.067, p < .001). The variance for all three slopes was similarly significant. However, despite negative trends in each slope, the relationships between slopes were positive. CSBD symptom trajectories were especially correlated with pornography viewing frequency trajectories (slope/slope correlation = .727, p < .001) and, to a lesser degree, to partnered sexual frequency trajectories (slope/slope correlation = .319, p < .001). Age emerged as the only predictor of trajectories, showing a positive predictive relationship with CSBD symptoms (e.g., older participants showed less steep decreases in CSBD symptoms over time) and a negative predictive relationship with partnered sexual behavior frequency (e.g., younger participants showed greater reductions in partnered sexual behavior).

Collectively, these results suggest that CSBD symptoms do vary substantially over time, with a natural trend toward reduction in symptoms. However, these decreases are slight and less pronounced among older participants. Additionally, self-reported CSBD symptoms correspond quite closely to pornography viewing frequency, suggesting that, in the public, such a behavior might be particularly likely to be reported as a type of CSB.