Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-16-2021
Publication Title
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Volume
10
Issue
3
First page number:
632
Last page number:
645
Abstract
Background and aims: Limitations of research into sexuality and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) include the use of simplistic methodological designs and the absence of quality and unified measurements, empirically supported theoretical models, and large, collaborative studies between laboratories. We aim to fill these gaps with the International Sex Survey (ISS, http://internationalsexsurvey.org/). Methods: The ISS is a large-scale, international, multi-lab, multi-language study using cross-sectional survey methods, involving more than 40 countries. Participants responding to advertisements complete a self-report, anonymous survey on a secure online platform. Collaborators from each country collect a community sample of adults with a minimum sample size of 2,000 participants with a gender ratio of approximately 50–50% men and women, including diverse individuals with respect to sexuality and gender. The ISS includes a wide range of sociodemographic questions and scales assessing a diverse set of sexual behaviors, pornography use, psychological characteristics, and potential comorbid disorders. Analyses are conducted within a structural equation modeling framework, including variable (e.g., measurement invariance tests) and person-centered approaches (e.g., latent profile analysis). Discussion and conclusions: The ISS will provide well-validated, publicly available screening tools, helping to eliminate significant measurement issues in the field of sexuality research and health care. It will provide important insights to improve the theoretical understanding of CSBD as well as help to identify empirically supported treatment targets for prevention and intervention programs. Following open-science practices and making study materials open-access, the ISS may serve as a blueprint for future large-scale research in addiction and sexuality research.
Keywords
Addictive behavior; compulsive sexual behavior; impulsive behavior; pornography; sexuality; sexual well-being
Disciplines
Gender and Sexuality
File Format
File Size
1079 KB
Language
English
Rights
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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Repository Citation
Bothe, B.,
Koos, M.,
Nagy, L.,
Kraus, S. W.,
Potenza, M. N.,
Demetrovics, Z.
(2021).
International Sex Survey: Study Protocol of a Large, Cross-Cultural Collaborative Study in 45 Countries.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 10(3),
632-645.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00063