Abstract
Although initial research on treatment for hypersexual behavior has had promising results, there has been little work that explicates the theoretical rationale for various treatment strategies. Self-forgiveness may be one strategy to help individuals with hypersexual behavior work through maladaptive shame and guilt. The present study explored the role of self-forgiveness in hypersexual behavior. Participants (N = 187) reported a time in which they had violated their sexual values and completed measures of self-forgiveness, shame/guilt, and hypersexual behavior. Self-forgiveness was negatively related to hypersexual behavior. Self-forgiveness was also negatively related to shame/guilt. The association between self-forgiveness and hypersexual behavior was mediated by shame/guilt.