Comparison of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, decision–making, and attention control in individuals with sex addiction and normal people

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Sexual addiction as a neglected disorder requires investigation and exploration as it affects various aspects of individual’s personal and social lives. Therefore, the current research purpose was to examine the afflicted individuals from the standpoints of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, decision-making styles, and the function of attention. Materials and Methods: The research population of this study included all students of Isfahan University during the academic year January 2020 to February 2021, and after the screening, a total of 200 individuals were selected as a research sample and divided into two groups: the group with sexual addiction and the healthy group. Subsequently, both groups completed questionnaires related to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Questionnaire (MHNQ), General Decision-Making Style Questionnaire, and Attention Control Scale (ACS). Findings: The results of multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between two groups, normal and abnormal, in the needs for safety and the need for respect from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, decision-making styles (intuitive, dependent, and spontaneous), and the focus maintenance of attention in attentional functioning (P < 0/001). The variables of physiological needs, belongingness, and self-actualization in Maslow groups, normal and abnormal, decision-making styles, and the subscale of attention switching in attentional functioning did not show any significant difference in the two groups. Conclusion: Overall, it appears that fixing (stabilization) in one category and returning (regression) in the stages of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, attention deficits including excessive or hyper-focused attention, malfunctioning in the decision-making process, and an impulsive, desire-driven approach, may significantly account for the difference observed between the two groups in these variables.