Presentation Title
Sexual Compulsion, Violent Fantasies, and Shame
Abstract
Past research has indicated a strong connection between sexual shame and sexual compulsivity. The aversive state of shame is believed to be a trigger for compulsive sexual behaviors in sexually compulsive individuals. This may occur as a function of mood repair or negative affect avoidance. Literature on the topic suggests that understanding the role that shame plays in sexual compulsivity is essential in both prediction and prevention of compulsive behaviors. In our initial study of college aged individuals, participants rated their level of arousal to a variety of different kinks and sexual fantasies. The current study will examine whether the theme of the sexual fantasy, and particularly violent versus non-violent sexual fantasies, has a stronger association with sexual shame and therefore is more strongly associated with compulsivity. also expect that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies score higher in sexual compulsivity than individuals who only report non-violent sexual fantasies. Finally, we expect that the relationship between violent sexual fantasies and compulsivity will be mediated by shame. We expect to find that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies also report more sexual shame as compared to individuals who report only non-violent sexual fantasies. We also expect that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies score higher in sexual compulsivity than individuals who only report non-violent sexual fantasies. Finally, we expect that the relationship between violent sexual fantasies and compulsivity will be mediated by shame.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Alessandra Rellini
Graduate Student Mentors
Wilson Captein
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Psychological Science
Primary Research Category
Social Sciences
Sexual Compulsion, Violent Fantasies, and Shame
Past research has indicated a strong connection between sexual shame and sexual compulsivity. The aversive state of shame is believed to be a trigger for compulsive sexual behaviors in sexually compulsive individuals. This may occur as a function of mood repair or negative affect avoidance. Literature on the topic suggests that understanding the role that shame plays in sexual compulsivity is essential in both prediction and prevention of compulsive behaviors. In our initial study of college aged individuals, participants rated their level of arousal to a variety of different kinks and sexual fantasies. The current study will examine whether the theme of the sexual fantasy, and particularly violent versus non-violent sexual fantasies, has a stronger association with sexual shame and therefore is more strongly associated with compulsivity. also expect that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies score higher in sexual compulsivity than individuals who only report non-violent sexual fantasies. Finally, we expect that the relationship between violent sexual fantasies and compulsivity will be mediated by shame. We expect to find that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies also report more sexual shame as compared to individuals who report only non-violent sexual fantasies. We also expect that individuals that report violent sexual fantasies score higher in sexual compulsivity than individuals who only report non-violent sexual fantasies. Finally, we expect that the relationship between violent sexual fantasies and compulsivity will be mediated by shame.