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Prevalence and determinants of online-sex use in the German population

Author

Listed:
  • Manfred E Beutel
  • Sebastian Giralt
  • Klaus Wölfling
  • Yve Stöbel-Richter
  • Claudia Subic-Wrana
  • Iris Reiner
  • Ana Nanette Tibubos
  • Elmar Brähler

Abstract

Introduction: The unlimited access to sexual features in the World Wide Web has raised concerns about excessive and problematic online-sex use. However, little is known about antecedents of internet-sex use of different intensity. Based on a representative German sample of 2,522 participants between the ages of 14 and 97 years, the aims of the present study were (1) to determine the prevalence rates of online-sex users with the short version (ISSTGSV) of the Internet Sex Screening Test and (2) to associate online-sex use with anxious vs. avoidant partner attachment patterns and “Big Five” personality traits as potential antecedents. Results: The ISST is a brief, one-dimensional and reliable measure of online-sex activities (rtt = .69). Overall, 14.7% of respondents reported occasional and 4.2% intensive online-sex use. In multivariate analysis, online-sex use was significantly positively associated with male sex, younger age, unemployment and an anxious partner attachment pattern and negatively with conscientiousness and agreeableness. Conclusions: Arousal and satisfaction by virtual enactment of sexual phantasies may be attractive for anxiously attached persons who find it difficult to commit to a real life relationship due to fear of rejection or low self-esteem. More knowledge about the individual antecedents of intensive online-sex use may also be helpful for the development of consultation and treatment strategies for excessive and addictive online-sex use.

Suggested Citation

  • Manfred E Beutel & Sebastian Giralt & Klaus Wölfling & Yve Stöbel-Richter & Claudia Subic-Wrana & Iris Reiner & Ana Nanette Tibubos & Elmar Brähler, 2017. "Prevalence and determinants of online-sex use in the German population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0176449
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176449
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