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An exploratory study of addictive sexual behaviours
Author
Lee, Samuel Lye Kiat
Supervisor
Tan, Wee Kiat
Abstract
The phenomenon of addictive sexual behaviours, or 'sexual addition', is fairly new in Singapore. While mental health professional seem to acknowledge that deviant sexual behaviours do prevail here, these behaviors may not necessary be diagnosed as addictive disorders. Even in Western circles, there has been a lack of research and empirically validated studies on the issue. This study is an attempt at exploring sexual addiction in the Singapore context and whether such a concept would be useful to those who work with a clientele that grapples with it.
The review of the relevant highlights numerous controversies regarding this concept:
1. The terminology - whether it should be designated as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, an impulse-control disorder or an addictive disorder ;
2. The various arguments against the concept of sexual addiction - conventional, scientific, sociological and moral;
3. The theories of sexual addiction - biological, sociocultural, cognitive-behavioural, psychoanalytic and integrated;
There also seems to be a lack of research on the efficacy of treatment for sexual addiction. Several proposed methods of treatment by various researchers include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, twelve-step programmes and therapeutic groups.
10 subjects who practised sexual behaviours that they regarded as problematic and addictive participated in this study that adopted a qualitative approach. Data was obtained from them through an interview guide that consisted of questionnaires and from individual interviews through informal conversations. The data collected was analysed using narrative analysis.
The study reveals that sexual addiction does exist in Singapore. It may manifest itself in various forms, like excessive masturbation, frequent use of pornography, preoccupation with fantasy sex, anonymous sexual encounters in public places, visits to prostitutes. However, the classification of these behaviours as addictive can be arbitrary and subjective. As for acts of rape, molest and incest, they may or may not necessarily indicate the presence of addition.
Several factors have contributed to the development of such behaviours, including a troubled family and home life, negative peer relationships and influences, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional/verbal), a difficult adolescent phase during puberty, using sexuality to cope with the emotional distress of life.
Subjects sought help from various counsellors who did not necessarily specialise in addictions counselling. These counsellors worked with them by employing other therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt and family systems therapies. Subject initially found counselling to be helpful, although in the longer term, a supportive network of friends proved to be important in their recovery. The ways in which subjects understood and perceived the recovery process, and the meaning of 'change' seemed to vary. Most came to understand it as a process of growth and maturity in their cognitive and emotional development, and the need to acquire appropriate coping skills to handle their behaviours and the problems of life.
Several guidelines were suggested in addressing the problem of sexual addiction. These included the Ministry of Education's sex education programme in schools, and an eclectic approach to addiction counselling.
The review of the relevant highlights numerous controversies regarding this concept:
1. The terminology - whether it should be designated as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, an impulse-control disorder or an addictive disorder ;
2. The various arguments against the concept of sexual addiction - conventional, scientific, sociological and moral;
3. The theories of sexual addiction - biological, sociocultural, cognitive-behavioural, psychoanalytic and integrated;
There also seems to be a lack of research on the efficacy of treatment for sexual addiction. Several proposed methods of treatment by various researchers include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, twelve-step programmes and therapeutic groups.
10 subjects who practised sexual behaviours that they regarded as problematic and addictive participated in this study that adopted a qualitative approach. Data was obtained from them through an interview guide that consisted of questionnaires and from individual interviews through informal conversations. The data collected was analysed using narrative analysis.
The study reveals that sexual addiction does exist in Singapore. It may manifest itself in various forms, like excessive masturbation, frequent use of pornography, preoccupation with fantasy sex, anonymous sexual encounters in public places, visits to prostitutes. However, the classification of these behaviours as addictive can be arbitrary and subjective. As for acts of rape, molest and incest, they may or may not necessarily indicate the presence of addition.
Several factors have contributed to the development of such behaviours, including a troubled family and home life, negative peer relationships and influences, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional/verbal), a difficult adolescent phase during puberty, using sexuality to cope with the emotional distress of life.
Subjects sought help from various counsellors who did not necessarily specialise in addictions counselling. These counsellors worked with them by employing other therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, gestalt and family systems therapies. Subject initially found counselling to be helpful, although in the longer term, a supportive network of friends proved to be important in their recovery. The ways in which subjects understood and perceived the recovery process, and the meaning of 'change' seemed to vary. Most came to understand it as a process of growth and maturity in their cognitive and emotional development, and the need to acquire appropriate coping skills to handle their behaviours and the problems of life.
Several guidelines were suggested in addressing the problem of sexual addiction. These included the Ministry of Education's sex education programme in schools, and an eclectic approach to addiction counselling.
Date Issued
2001
Call Number
RC560.S43 Lee
Date Submitted
2001