Through the Eyes of the Voyeur: The Lived Subjective Experience of Males Who Self-Identify As Sexual Addicts

Sexual addiction is a growing problem and is increasingly presenting itself to clinicians. It has been proposed by several mental health professionals and academics alike that the paraphilias are a sub-type of sex addiction (Birchard, 2011; Carnes, 2001a; Kafka, 2010b). Much of the current literature is contradictory in nature and etiologies of sex addiction, and the paraphilias, remain unclear (Aaron, 2012; Abouesh & Clayton, 1999; Birchard, 2011). This phenomenological study sought to explore the lived experiences of male individuals who self-identify as sexual addicts and who have engaged in voyeuristic behaviors. Existential psychology was the theoretical framework used to ground the study. Data analysis followed Moustakas' (1994) method of theme extrapolation via horizonalization. Five themes resulted through this process. These themes included the necessitation of a game, living a double life, loneliness, treatment as a tool in the prevention of sex offending and the impact of technology.