Introduction: Compulsive sexual behaviour or hypersexuality has been the subject of growing interest among academic circles. However, relatively few reliable predictors have been identified. The aim of the present study was to examine whether different types of sexual motivations based on Self-Determination Theory can account for compulsive sexual behaviour.
Method: The study was conducted on a non-clinical sample of nearly 1000 participants. Sexual motivation was assessed using the Sexual Motivation Scale and compulsive sexual behaviour was assessed using the Hypersexual Behaviour Inventory. Both measures showed adequate reliability. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyse the relationship between the variables.
Results: In the regression, controlling for gender, of the six motivational factors, integrated (β = 0.167), introjected (β = 0.074) and amotivation (β = 0.128) were found significant (p <0.001), and identified was nearly significant (β = 0.53; p = 0.065). The intrinsic (β = -0.032; p = 0.366) and extrinsic (β = -0.027; p = 0.168) forms of motivation had no impact on hypersexuality. The total explained variance of the model was 18% (p <0.001). Results indicated that three of the six motivational factors positively and weakly predicted hypersexuality.
Conclusion: The original hypothesis of the study, that less self-determined motivated sexual behaviour would be a better predictor of compulsive sexual behaviour, was not confirmed. In practice, positively related variables, especially amotivation, may play an important role in psychotherapeutic processes. However, in order to better understand compulsive sexual behaviour, additional factors still need to be explored.
Keywords: Self-Determination Theory Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder.; hypersexuality; sexual motivation.