BRIEF REPORT Journal of Behavioral Addictions 4(1), pp.

22–26 (2015)
DOI: 10.1556/JBA.4.2015.1.6

Sexual compulsion – Relationship with sex, attachment and sexual orientation

AVIV WEINSTEIN1*, LICHEN KATZ1, HILA EBERHARDT1, KOBY COHEN1 and MICHEL LEJOYEUX2
1
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Ariel, Ariel, Israel
2
Department of Psychiatry, Paris 7 University and Hospital Bichat Claude Bernard, AP-HP and Maison Blanche Hospital, Paris, France

(Received: August 8, 2014; revised manuscript received: January 7, 2015; accepted: January 25, 2015)

Background and aims: Sexual addiction, also known as hypersexual disorder, is associated with serious psychosocial
problems for many people. Methods: This study used questionnaires to investigate the effects of gender, sexual ori-
entation and attachment (avoidance and anxiety) on sexual compulsion among 100 heterosexual and homosexual
men and women. Results: A positive correlation was found between anxious attachment and sexual compulsivity (r =
0.46; p < 0.01) and a positive correlation between avoidant attachment and sexual compulsivity (r = 0.39; p £ 0.01)
in all participants. Secondly, an analysis of covariance showed a gender by sexual orientation interaction effect [F(1,
103) = 6.39, p < 0.01] but no attachment effect on sexual compulsivity. A follow-up comparison showed that lesbian
women had higher rates of sexual compulsivity than heterosexual women [t(2, 50) = 5.08, p < 0.001] whereas there
was non-significant difference in sexual compulsivity between homosexual and heterosexual men [t(2, 50) = 1.30,
p = N.S.]. Discussion: The results provide preliminary evidence for an association between attachment and sexual
compulsivity and the effects of gender and sexual orientation on sexual compulsivity.

Keywords: sexual compulsivity, attachment, sex differences, homosexuality

INTRODUCTION dency to disconnect intimacy from sex, and an absence of

control in many aspects of life (Carnes, 2000, 2001; Carnes
Sexual addiction, which is also known as hypersexual disor- & Schneider, 2000; Coleman et al., 2003; Coleman-Ken-
der, has been associated with serious psychosocial problems nedy & Pendley, 2002). Finally, some studies find that sex-
for many people although it has not been recognized as a dis- ual addiction is associated with or in response to dysphoric
order that merits inclusion in the DSM (Quadland, 1985) – affects (Black, Kehrberg, Flumerfelt & Schlosser, 1997;
see Karila et al. (2014) for review. Originally, Carnes (1983) Raymond, Coleman & Miner, 2003; Reid, 2007; Reid, Car-
published a book titled Out of the shadows: Understanding penter, Spackman & Willes, 2008; Reid & Carpenter, 2009)
sexual addiction, which has raised interest in the area and fa- or stressful life events (Miner et al., 2007).
cilitated a discussion on the best way to define and diagnose Attachment theory (Bowlby, 1979, 1982) argued that
the disorder. Despite different views about pathological early attachment experiences affect personal and social life,
characteristics of sexual addiction there is an agreement that professional relationships, dealing with stress, mental and
this is a progressive relapsing condition which does not physical health and cognitive development. According to re-
merely refer to a pathological diagnosis of sexual lifestyle cent developments in attachment theory, those who devel-
that is socially deviant (Edger, 2010). oped a safe attachment style which is not anxious or
Sexual addiction involves compulsive behaviors such as avoidant during infancy can form healthy relationships in
constantly seeking new sexual partners, having frequent adolescence and adulthood and handle life problems (Uytun,
sexual encounters, engaging in compulsive masturbation Oztop, Esel & Mdusunen, 2013). Individuals with secure at-
and frequently using pornography. Despite efforts to reduce tachment are expected to have low chances of becoming ad-
or stop excessive sexual behaviors individuals find it diffi- dicted to sex since they regulate and limit their sexual activ-
cult to stop and they engage in risky sexual activities, pay for ity more than those with insecure attachment (Zapf, Greiner
sexual services and resist behavioral changes to avert HIV & Carroll, 2008). Furthermore, individuals who are addicted
risk (Carnes, 1991; Coleman-Kennedy & Pendley, 2002; to sex are looking for sexual activity without the need for
Coleman, Raymond & McBean, 2003; Kalichman & emotional relationships and they are more likely to be char-
Rompa, 1995). Sexual compulsivity has been associated acterized by avoidant or anxious attachment (Gentlzer &
with the number of unprotected vaginal sex acts with female Kerns, 2004).
sexual workers, lower self-efficacy for condom use, greater Gay men are diverse with respect to the sexual behaviors
use of illicit drugs, and more financial need (Semple et al., they both desire and enact (Moskowitz & Roloff, 2010; San-
2010). derson, 1994). Moreover, gay men differ from other groups
Cognitive and emotional symptoms include obsessive in their sexual behavior. Research shows that, on average,
thoughts of sex, feelings of guilt about excessive sexual be- gay men have more partners, engage in more risky sexual
havior, the desire to escape from or suppress unpleasant
emotions, loneliness, boredom, low self-esteem, shame, se-
crecy regarding sexual behaviors, rationalization about the * Corresponding author: Aviv Weinstein PhD; Department of Be-
continuation of sexual behaviors, indifference toward a reg- havioral Science, University of Ariel, Science Park, Ariel 40700,
ular sexual partner, a preference for anonymous sex, a ten- Israel; E-mail: [email protected]

ISSN 2062-5871 © 2015 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 03/27/25 04:18 PM UTC

 Sexual compulsion, attachment and orientation

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of all participants

Males Females
Heterosexual Homosexual Heterosexual Homosexual
N M S.D. N M S.D. N M S.D. N M S.D.
Age 26 7.83 4.97 26 26.17 3.13 26 29.58 5.9 26 24.5 1.86
Education (%)
<12 years 4 0 0 8
High-school 62 50 65 23
Bachelor degree 30 50 31 42
Master’s degree 4 4 23
PhD 0 4
Personal status (%)
Single 84 92 84 81
Separated/divorced 0 0 0 8
Single 16 8 16 11
Country of birth (%)
Israel 92 92 92 92
Overseas 8 8 8 8

behavior, and are more likely to seek sexual sensation than community. The enrollment target was 120 participants and
other groups, such as heterosexual men, women and lesbians 104 were recruited. The recruitment lasted for three months.
(Bailey, Gaulin, Agyei & Gladue, 1994; Ekstrand, Stall, A hundred men and women over 18 years old participated in
Paul, Osmond & Coates, 1999; Thompson, Yager & Martin, this study. See Table 1 for demographic characteristics in all
1993). But among homosexual men there is variability in the participants.
propensity to engage in compulsive unprotected sex. Meyer
and Dean (1995) have reported that about 6% of their 149 Measures
young New York City gay men (aged 18–24 years) engaged
in very high risk behavior, defined as unprotected receptive 1. Demographic questionnaire including details about sex,
anal intercourse with multiple partners. It appears that very age, education, employment and sexual preferences.
high risk takers are qualitatively different from other risk 2. Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) by Kalichman and
takers: they reported more mental health problems, includ- Rompa (1995) has 10 questions on compulsive sexual
ing more drug use and higher levels of internalized homo- behavior, excessive sexual activity and compulsive sex-
phobia and AIDS-related traumatic stress response. Further- ual thoughts. The Sexual Compulsivity Scale was devel-
more, there are moderators of sexual behavior among gay oped to assess tendencies toward sexual preoccupation
men such as being in monogamous relationships. Also sex- and hyper-sexuality. Items were initially derived from
ual health and sexual health behaviors for example sexually self-descriptions of persons who self-identify as having a
transmitted diseases (STDs) were most influential over the ‘sexual addiction’. The self-descriptors were taken from
enactment of sexual behavior or desires (Moskowitz & a brochure for a sexual addictions self-help group. The
Roloff, 2010). scale has been able to predict rates of sexual behaviors,
Few studies investigated sexual compulsivity among numbers of sexual partners, practice of a variety of sex-
heterosexual and homosexual men. Furthermore, to the best ual behaviors, and histories of sexually transmitted dis-
of our knowledge, the relationships between compulsive eases. Items were responded to on 4-point scales ranging
sexual behavior and attachment and sexual preference or from 1 (very much like me) to 4 (very much not like me).
orientation have not been investigated before. We have The scale is internally consistent with Alpha coefficients
therefore investigated sexual compulsivity and attachment that range between .85 and .91 and in our study the scale
style among populations of heterosexual and homosexual had Cronbach internal validity of a = 0.94.
men and women. We hypothesized that secure attachment 3. Experience in Close Relationship Scale (ECR) by
would be associated with lower rates of sex compulsion. Brennan, Clark and Shaver (1998) that was validated in
Secondly, that homosexual men and women would show Israel by Mikulincer and Florian (2000). The question-
higher levels of sexual compulsivity than heterosexual men naire has 36 questions divided equally into avoidance of
and women. Thirdly, we hypothesized that attachment style intimacy and attachment and anxious attachment that is
might mediate between sexual orientation and sexual com- related to abandonment and separation anxiety. There
pulsion. are 4 combinations of attachment: secure attachment is
indicated by low avoidance measures and low anxiety
measures, avoidant attachment which is indicated by low
PROCEDURE anxiety measures, anxious attachment which is indicated
by low avoidance measures and avoidant-anxious at-
Participants tachment which is indicated by high anxiety and high
avoidance measures. Ratings are from 1 “strongly dis-
The participants of this study were recruited by research as- agree” to 7 “agree very much”. In our study the part of
sistants at the Psychology Department of the University the questionnaire on avoidance attachment had a Cron-
from forums on the Internet and social media sites that are bach internal validity of a= 0.90 and the part on anxious
used by the general public and the homosexual and lesbian attachment had a Cronbach internal validity of a = 0.87.

Journal of Behavioral Addictions 4(1), pp. 22–26 (2015) | 23

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 03/27/25 04:18 PM UTC

 Weinstein et al.

Ethics The third hypothesis

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board Of differences in attachment between homosexual and het-
(IRB- Helsinki committee) of the University. All partici- erosexual men and women was refuted due to the lack of at-
pants gave informed consent to the study. tachment effect or interaction between attachment and sex-
ual orientation in the ANCOVA.
Table 2 shows means and S.D. of ratings of sexual
RESULTS compulsivity, anxious and avoidant attachment in all partici-
pants.
First hypothesis Figure 1 shows means of sexual compulsivity among ho-
mosexual and heterosexual men and women.
The association between avoidance attachment, anxious at-
tachment and sexual compulsivity was tested by a Pearson
correlation analysis which showed a positive correlation be-
tween anxious attachment and sexual compulsivity (r =
0.46; p < 0.01) and a positive correlation between avoidant
attachment and sexual compulsivity (r = 0.39; p £ 0.01).
The results support our first hypothesis of an association be-
tween avoidant and anxious attachment and sexual
compulsivity.

Second hypothesis

The effects of gender and sexual orientation on ratings of

sexual compulsivity were tested by an analysis of co-vari-
ance (ANCOVA) on the effects of gender and sexual orien-
tation on ratings of sexual compulsivity using anxiety and
avoidance measures of attachment and sexual orientation
and gender as covariates. The results showed a non-signifi-
cant gender effect [F(1, 103) = 1.74, p = N.S.], a non-signifi- Figure 1. Mean sexual compulsivity scale
cant sexual orientation effect [F(1, 103) = 0.85, p = N.S.], a
non-significant attachment effect [F(1, 103) = 0.94; p =
N.S.] and a significant gender by sexual orientation interac- DISCUSSION
tion [F(1, 103) = 6.39, p < 0.01].
A post-hoc analysis showed that lesbian women had This study showed a positive association between sexual
higher ratings of sexual compulsivity than heterosexual compulsivity and anxious and avoidant attachment styles in
women [t(2, 50) = 5.17, p < 0.001] and non-significant dif- all participants. These findings seem to suggest that high
ferences in sexual compulsivity between homosexual and rates of sexual compulsivity are associated with difficulty in
heterosexual men [t(2, 50) = 1.22, p = N.S.]. A comparison forming secure attachment in adult life. This evidence is
of anxious attachment between lesbian and heterosexual compatible with attachment theory that postulates that diffi-
women showed a significantly higher rating of anxious at- culties in forming secure attachment with others are associ-
tachment in lesbian women than heterosexual women [t(1, ated with problems in intimacy (Bowlby, 1988; Schwartz &
51) = 3.26, p < 0.001]. Southern, 1999). According to Freeburg and van Winkle
The results partially support the second hypothesis by in- (2011) real persons cannot live up to the idealistic imagin-
dicating that lesbian women had higher ratings of sexual ings in virtual reality that a sexually compulsive person is
compulsivity than heterosexual women. seeking. The sexually compulsive persons yearn for close at-
tachments, but their expectant models prevent any form of

Table 2. Means and S.D. of ratings of sexual compulsivity, anxious and avoidant attachment in all participants

Heterosexual Homosexual Overall t-test

Sexual compulsivity N M S.D. N M S.D. N M S.D.
Men 26 3.99 1.51 26 4.62 1.91 52 4.3 2.50 n.s
Women 26 3 0.94 26 3.5 0.53 52 4.2 3.15 5.17**
Overall 52 3.5 0.53 52 5 0.84 104 4.25 2.65
Anxious attachment
Men 26 6.97 1.97 26 9.4 2.62 52 8.18 1.16 n.s
Women 26 7.68 2.48 26 9.63 1.69 52 8.65 0.99 3.26**
Overall 52 7.3 1.01 52 8.5 0.91 104 8.42 1.3
Avoidant attachment
Men 26 3.45 0.74 26 3.78 1.13 52 3.61 0.95 n.s
Women 26 3.27 0.97 26 3.12 0.89 52 3.20 0.92 n.s
Overall 52 3.36 0.86 52 3.45 1.06 104 3.40 0.93
** p < 0.001

24 | Journal of Behavioral Addictions 4(1), pp. 22–26 (2015)

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 03/27/25 04:18 PM UTC

 Sexual compulsion, attachment and orientation

sustained intimacy (Griffin-Shelley, Benjain & Benjamin, Internet forums of the gay and lesbian communities and we
1995; Leedes, 2001; Leiblum & Rosen, 1988, 1989; Schore, have no indication how reliable this may be.
2001; Schwartz, 1996). Sexual addicts compensate for their
inability to form close attachments by fantasizing about un-
attainable and unrealistic surrogates (Leedes, 2001; Schore, CONCLUSIONS
2001; Schwartz, 1996; Zapf et al., 2008). Accordingly, indi-
viduals with anxious insecure attachment tend to be more This study found associations between sexual compulsivity
vulnerable and seek sex as a source for comfort without a and attachment styles, which is a novel finding in an area of
need for emotional intimacy (Zapf et al., 2008). It is plausi- research that has not been thoroughly explored. Secondly,
ble that sexual activity without commitment may also ease the finding of differences in sexual compulsivity between
fears of separation and abandonment and therefore are fa- the homosexual and heterosexual populations merit further
vorable to the anxious types. The clinical evidence shows studies using larger populations.
that those with avoidant attachment also seek sexual rela-
tionships without emotional commitment.
Secondly, lesbian women showed higher rates of sexual
compulsivity than heterosexual women. This is a finding Funding sources: The study was done as part of an academic
that to the best of our knowledge has not been shown before course in behavioral addiction at the University of Ariel.
and it should be investigated further. The lack of difference
in sexual compulsivity between homosexual and heterosex- Authors’ contributions: All authors contributed to the de-
ual men is also surprising in view of previous evidence for sign, analysis and writing up of the study.
higher rates of sexual sensation seeking and sexual activity
among this population (Moskowitz & Roloff, 2010). There Conflict of interests: All authors report no conflict of inter-
is also evidence that homosexual men have more partners, ests.
engage in more risky sexual behavior, and are more likely to
seek sexual sensation than other groups, such as heterosex-
ual men, women and lesbians (Bailey et al., 1994; Ekstrand
et al., 1999; Thompson et al., 1993). It is plausible that the REFERENCES
sexual compulsive scale measured sexual preoccupation and
hyper-sexuality which are different constructs than risk-tak- Bailey, J. M., Gaulin, S., Agyei, Y. & Gladue, B. A. (1994). Effects
ing behavior and sexual sensations that were measured in the of gender and sexual orientation on evolutionarily relevant as-
previously reported studies. There is a need for a high reli- pects of human mating psychology. Journal of Personality and
ability and validity tool for assessing sexual compulsivity Social Psychology, 66, 1081–1093.
and addiction. Black, D. W., Kehrberg, L. L., Flumerfelt, D. L. & Schlosser, S. S.
Third, the study showed no conclusive evidence that ho- (1997). Characteristics of 36 subjects reporting compulsive
sexual behavior. American Journal of Psychiatry,154(2),
mosexual men and lesbian women had higher rates of anx-
243–249.
ious or avoidant attachment than heterosexual participants.
Bowlby, J. (1979).The making and braking of affectional bonds
Although the post-hoc analysis found that lesbian women
(pp. 129–133). London: Tavistock.
had higher anxious attachment scores than heterosexual Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss (Vol. 1, pp. 177–181). New
women, this finding should be qualified by the lack of over- York, NY: Basic.
all attachment effect or attachment by sexual orientation in- Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base. New York, NY: Basic.
teraction in the ANCOVA. There are relatively few studies Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L. & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report
that looked into the relationship between attachment and measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In
sexual orientation. Ridge and Feeney (1998) have assessed J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds), Attachment theory and
attachment style, working models of attachment, early rela- close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York: Guilford.
tionships with parents and relationship history, status and Carnes, P. (2001). Out of the shadows: Understanding sexual ad-
functioning among 70 homosexual and 100 lesbian and a diction. Center City, MN: Hazelden Information Educational
comparison group of heterosexual men and women and Services, 3rd revised edition.
found that relative frequencies of attachment styles were Carnes, P. & Schneider , J. P. (2000). Recognition and manage-
similar for homosexual and heterosexual samples. Overall, ment of addictive sexual disorders: Guide for the primary care
insecure attachment may not be over-represented in gay and clinician. Lippincotts Primary Care Practice, 4(3), 302–318.
lesbian samples, but insecurity was associated with less rela- Carnes, P. J. (1983). Out of the shadows: Understanding sexual ad-
tionship satisfaction and with problems related to the disclo- diction. USA.
sure of sexual orientation. Carnes, P. J. (1991). Don’t call it love. New York, NY: Bantam
Books.
Carnes, P. J. (2000). Sexual addiction and compulsion: Recogni-
LIMITATIONS tion, treatment, and recovery. CNS Spectrum, 5(10), 63–72.
Clark, Shaver & Brennan 1998 ???
This study had a small sample size hence it is premature to Coleman, E., Raymond, N. & McBean, A. (2003). Assessment and
extrapolate from its findings to sexual compulsivity and at- treatment of compulsive sexual behavior. Minnesota Medicine,
tachment style in the population of heterosexual and homo- 86(7), 42–47.
sexual men and women. Secondly, the sexual compulsivity Coleman-Kennedy, C. & Pendley, A. (2002). Assessment and di-
scale is highly explicit concerning sexual activity and it is agnosis of sexual addiction. Journal of the American Psychiat-
possible that some of the subjects were reluctant to disclose ric Nurses Association, 8(5),143–151.
details on their intimate sexual lives. Thirdly, the partici-
pants were recruited using the “snow-ball” method in
Journal of Behavioral Addictions 4(1), pp. 22–26 (2015) | 25

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 03/27/25 04:18 PM UTC

 Weinstein et al.

Edger, K. (2010). Evangelicalism, sexual morality, and sexual ad- Moskowitz, D. & Roloff, M. (2010). Moderators of sexual behav-
diction: Opposing views and continued conflicts. Journal of ior in gay men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 950–958.
Religion and Health, 51(1), 162–178. Quadland, M. C. (1985). Compulsive sexual behavior: Definition
Ekstrand, M. L., Stall, R. D., Paul, J. P., Osmond, D. H. & Coates, of a problem and an approach to treatment. Journal of Sex and
T. J. (1999). Gay men report high rates of unprotected anal sex Marital Therapy,11(2), 121–132.
with partners of unknown or discordant HIV status. AIDS, 13, Raymond, N. C., Coleman, E. & Miner, M. H. (2003). Psychiatric
1525–1533. comorbidity and compulsive/impulsive traits in compulsive
Freeburg, M. N. & Van Winkle, J. L. (2011). Sexual compulsivity sexual behavior. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 44(5), 370–380.
and Gestalt therapy: A case study. Retrieved from Reid, R. C. (2007). Assessing readiness to change among clients
http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/ vistas11/Article_58.pdf. seeking help for hypersexual behavior. Sexual Addiction and
Gentzler, A. L. & Kerns, K. A. (2004). Associations between inse- Compulsivity, 14, 167–186.
cure attachment and sexual experiences. Personal Relation- Reid, R. C. & Carpenter, B. N. (2009). Exploring relationships of
ships 11(2), 249–265. psychopathology in hypersexual patients using the MMPI-2.
Griffin-Shelley, E., Benjamin, L. & Benjamin, R. (1995). Sex ad- Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 35(4), 294–310.
diction and dissociation. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 2, Reid, R. C., Carpenter, B. N., Spackman, M. & Willes, D. L.
295–306. (2008). Alexithymia, emotional instability, and vulnerability
Hazan, C. & Shaver, P. (1994). Attachments as an organizional to stress proneness in patients seeking help for hypersexual be-
framework for research on close relationship. Psychological havior. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 34,133–149.
Inquiry, 5(1), 4–17. Ridge, S. R. & Feeney, J. A. (1998). Relationship history and rela-
Kalichman, S. C. & Rompa, D. (1995). Sexual sensation seeking tionship attitudes in gay males and lesbians: Attachment style
and sexual compulsivity scales: Reliability, validity, and pre- and gender differences. Australian and New Zealand Journal
dicting HIV risk behaviors. Journal of Personality Assessment, of Psychiatry, 32(6), 848–859.
65, 586–602. Sanderson, T. (1994). A-Z of gay sex. London: Other Way Press.
Karila, L., Wéry, A., Weinstein, A., Cottencin, O., Petit, A., Schore, A. N. (2001). Effects of a secure attachment relationship
Reynaud, M. & Billeux, J. (2014). Sexual addiction or hyper- on right brain development, affect regulation, and infant men-
sexual disorder: Different words for the same problem? A re- tal health. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1–2), 7–66.
view of the literature. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 20, Schwartz, M. F. (1996). Reenactments related to bonding and
1–10. hypersexuality. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 3, 195–306.
Leedes, R. (2001). The three most important criteria in diagnosing Schwartz, M. F. & Southern, S. (1999). Manifestations of damaged
sexual addictions: Obsession, obsession, and obsession. Sexual development of the human affectional systems and develop-
Addiction and Compulsivity, 8, 215–226. mentally based psychotherapies. Sexual Addiction and Com-
Leiblum, S. R. & Rosen, R. C. (1988). Sexual desire disorders. pulsivity, 6, 163–175.
New York, NY: Guilford. Semple, S. J., Strathdee, S. A., Cruz, M. G., Robertson, A.,
Leiblum, S. R. & Rosen, R. C. (1989). Principles and practice of Goldenberg, S. & Patterson, T. L. (2010). Psychosexual and
sex therapy. New York, NY: Guilford. social-cognitive correlates of sexual risk behavior among male
Meyer, H. I. & Dean, L. (1995). Patterns of sexual behavior and clients of female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Care,
risk taking among young New York City gay men. AIDS Edu- 22(12), 1473–1480.
cation and Prevention, 7(Suppl), 13–23. Thompson, J. L. P., Yager, T. J. & Martin, J. L. (1993). Estimated
Mikulincer, M. & Florian, V. (2000). Exploring individual differ- condom failure and frequency of condom use among gay men.
ences in reactions to mortality salience: Does attachment style American Journal of Public Health 83, 1409–1413.
regulate terror management mechanisms? Journal of Person- Uytun, M., Oztop, B., Esel, E. & Mdusunen, A. (2013). Evaluating
ality and Social Psychology, 79(2), 260–273. the attachment behavior during puberty and adulthood. The
Miner, M. H., Coleman, E., Center, B. A., Ross, M. & Rosser, B. R. Jornal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 26, 177–189.
S. (2007). Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory: Zapf, J. L., Greiner, J. & Carroll, J. (2008). Attachment styles and
Psychometric properties. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, male sex addiction. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity,
579–587. 15(2),158–175.

26 | Journal of Behavioral Addictions 4(1), pp. 22–26 (2015)

Unauthenticated | Downloaded 03/27/25 04:18 PM UTC