TY - JOUR
T1 - Insights and results from a pilot study for a self-led, digital-health treatment programme for CSBD (compulsive sexual behaviour disorder)
AU - Hall, Paula
AU - Bingham, Stephen
AU - Bunaciu, Adela
AU - Best, David
PY - 2024/10/7
Y1 - 2024/10/7
N2 - Background and aims: CSBD (compulsive sexual behaviour disorder) continues to be controversial amongst academics and clinicians. Common criticisms include lack of studies on treatment efficacy and an over emphasis on behaviour change rather than on psychological well-being. This paper explores the effectiveness of providing an online, self-guided treatment programme that reduces commonly recognised blocks to treatment seeking, namely stigma, shame, access and cost. Method: We recruited 96 participants who self-identified as struggling with CSBD, 68 of whom met the pilot study criteria. Participants completed three anonymous surveys at baseline, mid-point and post-course. In addition to basic demographics, participants provided feedback on the programme’s content and usability and answered questions relating to psychological well-being, impact on relationships and risk. The programme consisted of 60 podcasts with an accompanying digital workbook that took users through the psycho-educational CHOICE Recovery Model. Results: Adherence to the programme was good with 55% completing the course. The relevance of the course content was rated highly and, on completion, all but one participant felt more confident about their recovery. Improvements were seen in reduction of unwanted behaviours and preoccupation with those behaviours as well as psychological well-being. There were also improvements in risk, including a reduction in suicidality and the risk of breaking the law. There was also a strong positive association between higher emotional wellbeing and lower risk around unwanted behaviours. Conclusions: The results support previous studies demonstrating the benefits of online interventions and indicates that this treatment model design, based on the CHOICE Recovery Model, is effective, both in terms of behaviour change and improvements in psychological well-being and risk.
AB - Background and aims: CSBD (compulsive sexual behaviour disorder) continues to be controversial amongst academics and clinicians. Common criticisms include lack of studies on treatment efficacy and an over emphasis on behaviour change rather than on psychological well-being. This paper explores the effectiveness of providing an online, self-guided treatment programme that reduces commonly recognised blocks to treatment seeking, namely stigma, shame, access and cost. Method: We recruited 96 participants who self-identified as struggling with CSBD, 68 of whom met the pilot study criteria. Participants completed three anonymous surveys at baseline, mid-point and post-course. In addition to basic demographics, participants provided feedback on the programme’s content and usability and answered questions relating to psychological well-being, impact on relationships and risk. The programme consisted of 60 podcasts with an accompanying digital workbook that took users through the psycho-educational CHOICE Recovery Model. Results: Adherence to the programme was good with 55% completing the course. The relevance of the course content was rated highly and, on completion, all but one participant felt more confident about their recovery. Improvements were seen in reduction of unwanted behaviours and preoccupation with those behaviours as well as psychological well-being. There were also improvements in risk, including a reduction in suicidality and the risk of breaking the law. There was also a strong positive association between higher emotional wellbeing and lower risk around unwanted behaviours. Conclusions: The results support previous studies demonstrating the benefits of online interventions and indicates that this treatment model design, based on the CHOICE Recovery Model, is effective, both in terms of behaviour change and improvements in psychological well-being and risk.
U2 - 10.1080/26929953.2024.2411620
DO - 10.1080/26929953.2024.2411620
M3 - Article
SP - 1
JO - Sexual Health and Compulsivity
JF - Sexual Health and Compulsivity
ER -