The Effects of Insecure Attachment on Compulsive Sexual Behavior: The Mediating Effects of Loneliness and Acceptance

This study aimed to verify the effects of adult attachment styles on compulsive sexual behavior and the mediating effects of loneliness and acceptance.To this end, the self-reporting scale was administered to 300 adults aged 20 to 39, and the collected data were analyzed.The measures used for the study included the adult attachment style scale, the compulsive sexual behavior disorder scale, the loneliness scale, and the acceptance scale.The structural equation model analysis was conducted.The results of the study are as follows: First, anxious attachment was positively correlated with compulsive sexual behavior.Second, avoidant attachment was negatively correlated with compulsive sexual behavior.Third, the sequential mediating effects from anxious attachment to loneliness to acceptance of compulsive sexual behavior disorder were significant in that order.Fourth, the sequential mediating effects from avoidant attachment to loneliness to acceptance and compulsive sexual behavior disorder were also significant.The fact that the mediating effect of psychological acceptance was verified in the results of this study suggests the need to actively apply acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of this field in the future.It also suggests that interventions that can improve the client's loneliness are important in dealing with compulsive sexual behavior problems.Additional implications and limitations of this study were presented in the discussion.