Identifying Relationships Between Difficulties with Emotion Regulation and Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory Short Form (CSBI-SF): Development and Psychometric Evaluation

The Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI-13) assesses concerns related to compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) and has previously demonstrated strong psychometric properties. To enhance research and clinical screening utility, a short-form of the CSBI-13 was developed by modifying the CSBI-13 to items that screen for CSB and potential CSBD diagnosis. Using a confirmatory factor analytic approach, the resulting five-item CSBI-SF demonstrated strong model fit and internal consistency comparable to the original CSBI-13, as well as associations with other CSB measures and known correlates (religiosity, attachment style, and emotion dysregulation). The CSBI-SF provides a valid and reliable brief assessment of CSB.

Emotion regulation across psychiatric disorders

OBJECTIVE

Difficulties with emotion regulation have been associated with multiple psychiatric conditions. In this study, we aimed to investigate emotional regulation difficulties in young adults who gamble at least occasionally (ie, an enriched sample), and diagnosed with a range of psychiatric disorders using the validated Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS).

METHODS

A total of 543 non-treatment-seeking individuals who had engaged in gambling activities on at least 5 occasions within the previous year, aged 18-29 were recruited from general community settings. Diagnostic assessments included the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder World Health Organization Screening Tool Part A, and the Structured Clinical Interview for Gambling Disorder. Emotional dysregulation was evaluated using DERS. The profile of emotional dysregulation across disorders was characterized using Z-scores (those with the index disorder vs. those without the index disorder).

RESULTS

Individuals with probable ADHD displayed the highest level of difficulties in emotional regulation, followed by intermittent explosive disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder. In contrast, participants diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder showed relatively lower levels of difficulties with emotional regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of recognizing emotional dysregulation as a trans-diagnostic phenomenon across psychiatric disorders. The results also reveal differing levels of emotional dysregulation across diagnoses, with potential implications for tailored treatment approaches. Despite limitations such as small sample sizes for certain disorders and limited age range, this study contributes to a broader understanding of emotional regulation's role in psychiatric conditions.