| This study evaluated the prevalence of depression among male sex addicts against the male general population. This research utilized the high estimate of 12% for male depression in the general population as reported by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) (2000). This research had 418 participants, 220 of which qualified as male sexual addicts residing in the United States. Participants were recipients of a free sexual recovery email newsletter from www.sexaddict.com. A score of 17 or higher on the Sexual Addiction Screening Test operationally defined sexual addiction. Male sex addicts had a 28% prevalence rate of depression. The hypothesis of male sex addicts having higher scores on the BDI was upheld. Three exploratory hypotheses were also evaluated. The first exploratory hypothesis, that those participants who were in therapy for depression would have lower depression scores, was disproven. The second exploratory hypothesis, that those participants having received medication will have lower depression scores, was also disproven. The third exploratory hypothesis, that participants having received treatment for sexual addiction would have lower depression scores, was upheld. |
