Validation of a brief sex addiction screening instrument (PATHOS) and prediction of sex addiction in the Iranian population
Armin Zareiyan, Hamid Sharif Nia, Nader Molavi, Abdolhadi Saeidi, Mohamadreza Najarzadegan, Masumeh Ghazanfarpour, Hamed Jafarpour, Masoudeh Babakhanian
Abstract
Introduction
Sex addiction is a major psychiatric disorder in which a person is compelled to participate in sexual activities despite negative consequences. This study was conducted to localize a brief sex addiction screening instrument (PATHOS) for use in the Iranian population and to determine variables predictive of sex addiction in the general Iranian population.
Methods
In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of PATHOS in a sample of 443 Iranians in 2018. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (Factor 10.8.04 software). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate construct validity and variables predictive of addiction.
Results
Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors in this dichotomous questionnaire and reported the questionnaire’s test-retest reliability in the target population. Prognostic variables for sexual addiction in the Iranian population were determined to be female gender, higher education, viewing pornographic videos, having multiple sex partners, having difficulty interacting in sex, and history of masturbation.
Conclusion
The Persian version of the brief sex addiction screening instrument (PATHOS) has sufficient reliability and validity in the Iranian population. The predictive variables of sex addiction are indicative of the presence of risk of this disorder in Iranian samples and more studies are needed in order to enable prevention and treatment.
Keywords
References
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