The Prevalence of Depression in Male Sex Addicts Residing in the United States

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of depression among male sex addicts against the general male population. This research utilized the high estimate of 12% for male depression in the general population as reported by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). This research had 418 participants, 220 of whom qualified as male sexual addicts residing in the United States. Participants were recipients of a free sexual recovery e-mail newsletter from www.sexaddict.com. A score of 14 or higher on the Sexual Addiction Screening Test operationally defined sexual addiction. A score of 14 or higher on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) operationally defined depression. Male sex addicts had a 28% prevalence rate of depression. The hypothesis of male sex addicts having higher scores on the BDI was upheld. An exploratory hypothesis, that participants having received treatment for sexual addiction would have lower depression scores, was upheld.