Al Cooper

Cybersex users, abusers, and compulsives: New findings and implications

Abstract Literature regarding sexual use of the Internet has primarily focused on anecdotal data of clinical cases. This study empirically examines the characteristics and usage patterns of individuals who use the Internet for sexual purposes. The Kalichman Sexual Compulsivity Scale was the primary tool used to divide the sample (n = 9,265) into four groups: nonsexually compulsive (n = 7,738), moderately sexually compulsive (n = 1,007), sexually compulsive (n = 424), and cybersex compulsive (n = 96); 17% of the entire sample scored in the problematic range for sexual compulsivity. Data analysis of the four groups indicated statistically significant differences on descriptive characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and occupation. In addition, patterns of use differed across groups including the primary method of pursuing sexual materials, primary location of accessing sexual material, and the extent to which cybersex has interfered with a respondents life. This study is one of the few quantitative examinations of the patterns of problematic and compulsive use of the Internet for sexual purposes. Implications and suggestions for research, public education, and professional trainings are presented.

Online infidelity: A new dimension in couple relationships with implications for evaluation and treatment

Abstract Prior research has examined how Internet addiction can impact couple relationships. This article investigates how with the advent of the Internet a new dimension has been created for romantic and sexual relationships. Reports are suggesting that electronic communication can lead to marital discord, separation, and possible divorce. The ACE model (Anonymity, Convenience, Escape), which was hypothesized as a driving force behind cybersexual addiction, provides a framework to explain the underlying cyber-cultural dynamics that can increase the risk of virtual adultery. Warning signs of a cyberaffair are outlined to alert clients and therapists to this new aspect of couple relationships. Clinicians working in the aftermath of an online romantic and/or sexual encounter need to improve a couples communication and cohesion and to assess for more severe problems such as sexual addiction. Specific interventions focus on strategies for rebuilding trust, ways to improve marital communication, educating couples on whether these behaviors indicate an underlying addictive process, and how to restore trust and commitment after a cyberaffair.

Online Sexual Activity: An Examination of Potentially Problematic Behaviors

This article focused on a selected random sample of over 7,000 individuals who responded to a survey regarding online sexual activity. Results helped identify potential problem areas for online sexual compulsives and at-risk users. These results provided descriptions of activities that could lead to problematic behavior in three areas: obsession, compulsion, and consequences. In addition, specific results were highlighted by gender differences, and types of cybersex users. As a descriptive article, the results of this study help us understand who online sexual activity users are and how they might experience problems related to their behaviors.

Online Sexual Problems: Assessment and Predictive Variables

In this study of online sexual activity (OSA), a small subgroup (6.48%) of males self-identified as having online sexual problems (OSP) as a result of their online sexual behavior. There were only minor demographic differences between the OSP and the non-OSP groups. However there were a number of items that did differentiate these two groups (hours online, reasons for engaging in OSA, etc.) and these were elucidated. The research finds that most people who engage in OSA do not show evidence of problems as a result of their usage, yet at the same time there are a significant minority who do indeed report averse consequences. It is hoped that having a better understanding of the differences between these two groups will help clinicians and researchers interested in identifying variables for assessment, treatment, and prevention of OSP.

Overcoming Methodological Concerns in the Investigation of Online Sexual Activities

Online Sexual Activity (OSA) is an important and growing phenomenon. Prior research in this area has been criticized on methodological grounds. This study examines the reliability of Internet research regarding online sexual activities by comparing a selected random sample to a convenience sample. Participation in the selected random sample was limited to every 1,000th visitor to the MSNBC website in June 2000. Participation in the convenience sample was available to anyone with access to the Internet during the same time period. Most differences between these samples indicated that, relative to a selected random sample, a significantly greater proportion of Internet users in the convenience sample had a heavier involvement with OSA, including online sexual difficulties. We discuss the methodological and clinical implications of this finding.

Characteristics of men and women who complete or exit from an on‐line internet sexuality questionnaire: A study of instrument dropout biases

This study compared respondents who completed an Internet sexuality questionnaire and those who dropped out before completion. The study was in Swedish and comprised 3,614 respondents over a 2‐week period (53% males, 47% females). There were significant differences between males, of whom 51% dropped out before completion of the 175‐item questionnaire, and females, of whom 43% dropped out. Dropout in both genders followed a curve of negative acceleration. The data suggest that dropout is likely to be significant and gender and demographically biased, and to occur significantly earlier for men than for women. Geography, education, sexual orientation, age, relationship status, living arrangements, and Internet connection speed were related to dropout for men, while only relationship status and living arrangements, which were in the opposite direction from men, were related to dropout in women.

The duration and frequency of Internet use in a nonclinical sample: Suicidality, behavioral problems, and treatment histories.

Prior research noted paradoxical effects of Internet usage, with increased communication but decreased social engagement. A 3-year follow-up revealed that the negative effects had dissipated. The authors examined the relations between duration (months online) and frequency (hours per week) of Internet usage and 5 mental health domains (current and prior mental health treatment, suicidal intent, and past and present behavioral difficulties). Statistically significant differences in frequency and duration were associated with the main effects of mutually exclusive mental health domains. Hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that duration mediated the adverse effects of frequency in some domains. Age of participants significantly increased the goodness of fit in predicting adverse outcomes of frequency and duration of Internet usage.

Online Sexual Behaviors in the Workplace: How can Human Resource Departments and Employee Assistance Programs Respond Effectively?

Research is beginning to shed light on the problem of online sexual activities in the workplace. It is the first time in history that sexually explicit material is easily accessible via the Internet to anyone with access to a computer, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Just as sexual harassment was an issue that corporate America had to wrestle with, so too do businesses have to learn how to effectively deal with the use of the Internet for sexual activities in the workplace. These behaviors can cause serious social, psychological, ethical, legal, and financial problems for both businesses and their employees. While the research on these sexual behaviors has demonstrated that they can seriously interfere with work and a satisfying life style, little has been written to inform executives, managers, employers, Human Resource personnel, and Employee Assistance Program professionals who need to comprehensively manage the impact of this problem in the workplace. This paper educates the reader about the scope and nature of the problem in the workplace. It reviews the legal and social dilemmas posed by these activities, provides infor mation to educate and inform employees about managing the problem within the organization when it happens, and outlines proactive preventive measures that an employer may adopt to educate and support employees about sexuality in the workplace.

Workplace worries: a preliminary look at online sexual activities at the office-emerging issues for clinicians and employers.

Concerns about the impact of online sexual activities (OSA) on work-life are drastically increasing. This study examined 3,466 respondents who reported OSA, 18.5% of whom reported engaging in OSA at work. They were compared with the 81.5% who engaged in OSA at home, on average time spent in OSA, workplace policies regarding OSA, and relationship status. Two themes were identified and discussed: opportunity and sexual distress. Our findings indicate that participants are cognizant of issues of opportunity (e.g., the OSA from home group was more likely to indicate their workplace has established policies regarding OSA), and privacy, representing an important aspect of this theme (e.g., participants engaging in OSA at work were found to be twice as likely to have extra-marital affairs, compared with the OSA from home group). Secondly, our data suggests that many participants, especially from the OSA at work group, experience OSA-related distress. Engaging in OSA at the workplace may result in decreased productivity, issues of sexual harassment, and concerns about employee well-being. Clearly stated and consistently enforced policies regulating OSA are likely to mitigate workplace OSA. However, a significant minority of employees may have difficulties curbing OSA. Therefore, more sophisticated strategies to deal with workplace OSA should be established. Additional implications of importance for organizations and mental health professionals who support them are discussed.

Group Therapy: Essential Component for Success with Sexually Acting Out Problems among Men

Sexual acting out behavior has become a major issue in the United States, with more mental health care professionals seeking assistance in providing effective treatment for this complex and interesting population. Reviews of the literature support the fact that specialized treatments often can be effective (Schwartz, 1995); however, without targeted interventions, recidivistic behaviors can be very high. Innovative approaches are all too uncommon. Many suggest group therapy is an essential, as well as cost-effective, component of a comprehensive treatment program (Schwartz, 1995; Freeman-Longo & Blanchard, 1998). In this article, a model for group therapy for men with a range of sexually acting out problems is presented. This semi-structured group therapy model combines psychodynamic cognitive-behavioral theoretical perspectives in a 16-week module in which structured exercises and group process-oriented interventions are employed. In this article we discuss group format, content, and process in an effort to elucidate the specific challenges and common issues of this population.