Who feels affected by "out of control" sexual behavior? Prevalence and correlates of indicators for ICD-11 Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD).

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of indicators consistent with Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD)-defined and operationalized according to the ICD-11 guidelines-in a large (n = 4,633; 50.5% male; 49,5% female) probability-based German national sample. Methods: Participants were asked if they had ever experienced "intense and recurring sexual impulses or sexual urges that I had difficulty controlling and resulted in sexual behavior" over a period of several months. Those who reported this experience were queried about the associated distress. Results: Overall, 4.9% of men [95% CI = 3.9-6.1] and 3.0% of women [95% CI = 2.3-3.9] reported experiences consistent with ICD-11 diagnostic requirements for lifetime diagnosis. In the 12 months preceding the study, 3.2% of men [95% CI = 2.4-4.2] and 1.8% of women [95% CI = 1.2-2.5] reported experiences consistent with CSBD requirements. Compared to controls and participants who reported elements of compulsive sexuality but without accompanying distress, strict religious upbringing was most prevalent in the CSBD group. The CSBD group was more likely to view sexual practices like men having sex with men as unacceptable and to report the belief that pornography has negative impacts on their sex life and life in general. Compared to the other two groups, the CSBD group was significantly more likely to have received psychiatric treatment for depression or another mental health problem during the past 12 months. Discussion and conclusions: The current study provides novel and important insights into the prevalence and characteristics of CSBD in the general population.

Determinants of homonegativity in Europe.

This paper analyzes macro-determinants of negative attitudes toward homosexuality in 31 European societies. Using the European Values Study (EVS) 1999/2000, carried out on national probability samples, we tested the effects of tradition, modernization, and postmodernization on homonegativity. According to the findings, social distance toward homosexual persons was predicted by Eastern Orthodox religion, a greater degree of urbanization, economic development, and immigration. Disapproval of homosexuality was found associated with economic development and urbanization, while immigration had borderline significance. Although the analyses pointed to the central role of the modernization processes in increasing social acceptance of homosexuality in European societies, persisting religious traditions and more recent immigration waves limit the effect of modernization.

HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviors as predictors of condom use among young adults in Croatia.

CONTEXT: Although Croatia is still in an early stage of HIV infection, the rising rates of infection in other central and eastern European countries suggest the need to understand HIV knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviors among young adults in Croatia. METHODS: Data from a multistage probability sample of 1,093 Croatians aged 18-24 surveyed in 2005 were used in regression models that examined the associations between HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behavior and predictors of condom use at first and last sexual intercourse and condom use consistency. RESULTS: For both men and women, condom use at first intercourse and positive attitudes toward condom use were the most robust predictors of condom use at last intercourse and consistent condom use. In addition, for women, having peers with less traditional attitudes regarding sexuality was associated with consistent condom use (odds ratio, 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: Risky sexual behaviors are common among young adults in Croatia. Pragmatic and comprehensive sex education programs should target young people before they become sexually active.