Exploring the impact of sexual addiction and compulsive sexual behaviour on couples’ relationships

Background: The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity (NCSAC, 2007) claims that nearly six per cent of the general population has a problem with Sexual Addiction and Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (SA&CSB). What further complicates this issue is that the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V, 2013) does not yet recognise sexual compulsivity as a disorder. However, in July 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledged a definition of sexual compulsive behaviour as meriting consideration for inclusion in the International Statistical Classification of Disease, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11). SA&CSB is a progressive intimacy disorder in which an individual cannot control his or her sexual impulses and/or actions. The individual becomes so obsessed with sexual desires and behaviours that it negatively affects other areas of his or her life, such as relationships, families, and careers.

Aim: The aim of this research was to explore the impact of SA&CSB on couples’ relationships.
Method: A review of the existing literature related to SA&CSB was carried out using online databases, academic sites, peer-reviewed journals, books, and a wide range of research papers. This final project is divided into two parts: an earlier practice evaluation project (PEP) and the main research. The PEP consisted of an online survey and generated qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 140 respondents completed the survey, and I analysed the data using thematic and descriptive statistical analyses. Later in the research, five heterosexual couples volunteered to take part in the main research, in which data were collected and transcribed from semi-structured interviews. I then used the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method to analyse the participants’ responses.

Results: Five superordinate themes emerged from the analysis of the participants’ accounts. They were a) progression of SA&CSB and the impact on self and other (addict partner), b) emotional pain through discovery (non-addicted partner), c) a fractured relationship (couple), d) impact of SA&CSB on children (children), and e) positive outcomes of SA&CSB (relationship).

Conclusion: The findings revealed the immediate consequences of SA&CSB on couple relationships. These consequences included the gradual progression of SA&CSB and lack of control of the addicted partner, and emotional pain through the discovery process of the non-addicted partner. The research findings also revealed the long-term consequences of fractured relationships and damaged attachment on the couple and the impact on the future of their relationships. Finally, the findings revealed the impact on their children. All participants demonstrated growth and a positive outcome for SA&CSB. The implications of these results and suggestions for training, research, and practice purposes are also discussed.