Sex-addict study solicits adulterers

Cartoon / Rod Emmerson

Researchers want to hear from serial sex cheats and others with trouser-trouble, to deepen their understanding of what they call "hypersexuality".

Also referred to as sexual addiction or sexual compulsion, the problem for which golfer Tiger Woods sought treatment afflicts an unknown number of people.

A Massey University psychology honours student, Karen Faisandier, is seeking participants for an anonymous internet-based survey she is conducting in conjunction with the Sex Therapy New Zealand referral service.

"The project aims to explore the types of relationship styles experienced by people with, and without, out-of-control sexual behaviour," said a description of the study on the university's website.

Researchers said people with out-of-control sexual behaviour might experience compulsions for sexual activity, which they pursued regardless of its consequences.

One of the study's supervisors, Sex Therapy New Zealand director Robyn Salisbury, a registered clinical psychologist, said one of its purposes was to help describe the phenomenon of sexually destructive behaviour.

"That [destructiveness] is one of the defining characteristics - when it's distressing for the individual involved and they are concerned about the harm they are doing to themselves and others."

Mrs Salisbury said the most common reason for people seeking help for destructive sexual behaviour was being caught having repeated affairs.

Other reasons were repeatedly using sex workers or pornography to a destructive extent.

Treatments could include "12-step" group sessions such as those used by alcoholics, cognitive behaviour therapy and counselling to address problems clients might experience from not having accomplished one or more milestones in the development of their sexuality.

An addictions specialist at Community Alcohol and Drug Services in Auckland, Dr John Berks, said there was a 50-50 chance sex addiction would become a recognised disorder within psychiatry.