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Addictive Use of Online Sexual Activities and its Comorbidities: a Systematic Review

  • Technology Addiction (J Billieux, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This systematic review explores comorbidities related to the problematic use of online sexual activities (OSAs) in the absence of any published synthesis on the subject. These comorbidities are commonly confused with problems associated with offline addictive sexual disorders, even though it is not clear whether they are strictly similar.

Recent Findings

This is the first systematic review of the literature synthesizing data on the comorbidities of problematic OSA use. The pattern of comorbidities that was evidenced supports the hypothesis that problematic OSA use is part of a spectrum of related (yet distinct) disorders, Internet-related disorders.

Summary

A total of 23 studies were selected and analyzed. The systematic literature review conducted showed that various comorbidities occur with problematic OSA use as follows: (1) addictive behaviors (internet addiction, online gaming problem, substance use disorders), (2) other psychiatric disorders or psychopathological symptoms (mood disorders and suicidality, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorder, online dissociation), (3) psychological dimensions (insecure peer attachment, specific personality traits), and (4) sexual problems (sexual dysfunction, paraphilia, offline addictive sexual disorders).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse (APHP)-Unité de Recherche, UR-Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions, PSYCOMADD, Villejuif, France

    Marianne Hermand, Amine Benyamina, Amélie Petillion, Ammar Amirouche, Bruno Roméo & Laurent Karila

  2. Centre d’Enseignement de Recherche et Traitement des Addictions, AP-HP.Université Paris Saclay, Saint-Aubin, France

    Marianne Hermand, Amine Benyamina, Amélie Petillion, Ammar Amirouche, Bruno Roméo & Laurent Karila

  3. Département d’addictologie du CHU de Montpellier, Hôpital saint Eloi, INSERM U 1058, 34000, Montpellier, France

    Hélène Donnadieu-Rigole

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  1. Marianne Hermand
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Correspondence to Marianne Hermand.

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Dr. Laurent Karila has received consulting fees from Gillead, Recordati, indivior, Ethypharm Pharmaceuticals.

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Hermand, M., Benyamina, A., Donnadieu-Rigole, H. et al. Addictive Use of Online Sexual Activities and its Comorbidities: a Systematic Review. Curr Addict Rep 7, 194–209 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00301-3

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