Sexual compulsivity and interpersonal functioning: sexual relationship quality and sexual health in gay relationships.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the role of sexual compulsivity (SC) in four aspects of interpersonal functioning relevant to main partnerships-sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, the presence of weekly sexual activity with main partner, and the number of recent casual male sex partners (i.e., outside of the relationship) with whom participants had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI).

METHOD

Data were collected using a street-intercept strategy from both members of 172 gay male couples (N = 344 individuals) attending gay-community events together. SC was measured using the Sexual Compulsivity Scale; sexual satisfaction using a modified version of the Sexual Functioning Inventory (SFI); and sexual communication using a shortened version of the Dyadic Sexual Communication (DSC) Scale.

RESULTS

Men high on SC were as likely to be partnered with men low on SC as they were to be partnered with others having high levels of SC. SC was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction and sexual communication. Individuals with higher SC scores and those whose partners had higher SC scores engaged in UAI with a greater number of male partners outside their relationship. SC was unrelated to frequency of sex with main partners.

CONCLUSION

SC was associated with lower sexual relationship quality and increased potential for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission from a casual partner and subsequent transmission to (or reinfection with) a primary partner. Couples interventions for SC may be relevant to individual and public health. They provide a platform to practice communication skills, identify preferred sexual activities, and negotiate sexual safety.