Emotional Experiences During Childhood of Iranian Women with Compulsive Sexual Behaviour: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Compulsive sexual behaviour is a disorder causing substantial social damage. Understanding the experiences of individuals with this disorder can help prevent and mitigate its consequences. Researchers conducted an independent content analysis of the data obtained through qualitative methods in the cities of Shiraz and Tehran in Iran. A total of 19 women aged 20–35 years receiving treatment for their sexual compulsivity as well as a therapist were interviewed. Five main categories emerged from the data, including the resentful emotional duality (having contradictory or paradoxical emotions simultaneously, such as love versus hate and rage versus fear) felt towards their father and men in general, an early aberrant social experience (premature exposure to sexual relations) and an abnormal perception of love. It appears that the weak cultural and educational structures in place and interpersonal communication disorders contribute significantly to the formation of hyper-sexuality.