Exploring risk factors of cybersex addiction in adults and its implications on marital relationships.

Abstract

With the increasing access to online platforms, cybersex addiction has become a cause for concern among many adults. Although the said phenomenon has yet to be recognized as an official diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, many researchers admit of its significant prevalence and devastating consequences especially with regards to an individual’s interpersonal relations. Given that sexually related topics are often regarded as taboo and not openly discussed, the topic of cybersex addiction is not well understood. Thus, this paper aims to present an overview of cybersex addiction, discuss the underlying risk factors, as well as to explore the various implications to marital relationships. The risk factors examined include: external influences of the Internet, unhealthy interpersonal relationships and individual predisposition. Advancement into cybersex addiction is contingent upon the unique interactions of these risk factors. Additionally, the destabilization and perceived enhancement of marital relationships as a result of cybersex addiction will be discussed in greater detail, the former of which incorporates implications such as increased negativity, decreased levels of supportive behavior and increased demands and withdrawals.